Settling Your Pet in the Netherlands: EU Passport, UBN Registration, and Microchip Setup

Once your pet arrives in the Netherlands for a stay of 4 months or longer, you have legal requirements to complete within the first two weeks. This guide walks you through obtaining an EU pet passport, registering for a UBN number (dogs only), and setting up your pet's microchip in the Dutch national database.

Who Needs to Register

Registration requirements depend on how long you are staying in the Netherlands.

Under 3 months: Registration is not required. 4 months or more: Registration is required. If your stay falls between 3 and 4 months, contact RVO directly to confirm your obligation before your dog arrives.

For dogs: You must register your dog and obtain a UBN (Unique Business Number) within 2 weeks of arrival.

For cats and ferrets: No UBN required, but you should register your pet's arrival with a local vet if staying long-term.

Step 1: Get Your BSN and DigiD

Before you can register your dog, you need two things from the Dutch government:

BSN (Burgerservicenummer): Your Dutch Citizen Service Number, issued when you register with your local municipality as a resident. If you're relocating to the Netherlands for work or long-term stay, this happens as part of your initial municipal registration.

DigiD: Your digital ID for accessing Dutch government services online. You apply for DigiD using your BSN through the DigiD website.

Without these, you can't apply for a UBN.

Step 2: Apply for Your UBN (Dogs Only)

A UBN (Uniek Bedrijfsnummer, or Unique Business Number) is required to register any dog in the Netherlands. This applies even if you own just one dog as a private pet owner.

How to apply:

Log in to the RVO portal at mijn.rvo.nl using your DigiD. Select "Register pet location" (Huisdierlocatie Registreren). Choose "Dogs not kept commercially" (Honden niet-bedrijfsmatig houden). Complete the registration form.

Cost: €23.02 for 2026, paid immediately via iDEAL or Wero when you complete the application. Your UBN is displayed on screen immediately after payment. RVO does not send a written confirmation. Write it down before you close the browser.

Timeline: Complete this within 2 weeks (14 days) of your dog's arrival in the Netherlands. Operating without a UBN when required is a legal violation.

Step 3: Register Your Dog and Get an EU Pet Passport

Within 2 weeks of arrival, take your dog to a Dutch veterinarian. Bring your UBN and any existing health documents (rabies certificate, previous passport, health certificate used for entry).

What the vet will do:

Verify or implant a microchip (if your dog doesn't have one). Register your dog's microchip number and UBN in the national database. Issue an EU pet passport (if your dog doesn't already have one from another EU country).

If your dog already has an EU pet passport from another EU country: That passport remains valid. The vet will register your dog's arrival in the Netherlands under your new UBN but won't issue a new passport.

If your dog arrived with a non-EU health certificate: The vet will issue a new EU pet passport and register the import.

Cost: Varies by clinic. Confirm current pricing with your clinic.

Find a local vet through the Dutch Veterinary Association directory.

Step 4: Register Your Pet's Microchip

Register your pet's microchip in an RVO-approved microchip database. This step is technically voluntary but essential if you want your pet returned to you if lost.

Why this matters: The microchip itself doesn't contain your contact information. It's just an ID number. When someone finds your pet and scans the chip, they look up that number in a database to find you. If you haven't registered the chip in the Netherlands, a Dutch vet or shelter won't be able to trace your pet back to you.

How to register:

Visit an RVO-approved registration portal. PetBase (petbase.eu) is a commonly used option that integrates directly with the RVO I&R system. Enter your pet's microchip number and your current Dutch contact information. Keep this information updated whenever you move or change phone numbers.

Cost: Registration fee varies by portal. Check your chosen portal for current pricing.

What Can Go Wrong

You don't have a BSN yet: If you've just arrived and your municipal registration is still processing, you can't get a UBN. Schedule your vet appointment for after your BSN is issued, but make sure you complete the full process within 2 weeks of your dog's arrival. If this timing is tight, contact your municipality to expedite your BSN issuance.

Your dog arrived without a microchip: The vet will implant one during your registration appointment. However, this means your dog will need a rabies vaccination (if the chip is new, the rabies vaccine must be administered after the chip is implanted). Check with the vet about whether your existing rabies certificate from your origin country is transferable.

You're staying between 3 and 4 months and aren't sure if you need to register: RVO does not explicitly resolve this window on their website. Contact RVO directly to confirm your obligation before your dog arrives. If there's any chance your stay will extend beyond 4 months, register from the start. It's easier to complete registration early than to scramble later if your plans change.

Your vet asks for your UBN and you don't have it: Dutch vets are legally prohibited from registering your dog or issuing an EU passport without a UBN. Bring your UBN confirmation to the appointment.

Timeline Checklist

Use this timeline to stay on track:

Before arrival: Register with your Dutch municipality and receive your BSN. Apply for DigiD using your BSN.

Within 2 weeks of arrival: Apply for your UBN through the RVO portal at mijn.rvo.nl. Pay €23.02 via iDEAL or Wero and write down your UBN immediately. Schedule vet appointment for dog registration. Bring UBN, existing health documents, and rabies certificate to vet. Vet registers dog and issues EU passport (if needed). Register microchip in an RVO-approved portal such as PetBase (petbase.eu).

Ongoing: Keep microchip registration contact information current. Maintain rabies vaccination per EU requirements (every 1-3 years depending on vaccine).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a UBN for my cat?

No. UBN registration applies only to dogs. Cats and ferrets don't require UBN numbers, but you should still register your cat's arrival with a local vet if you're staying in the Netherlands long-term.

What if I already have an EU pet passport from Germany (or another EU country)?

Your existing EU passport is valid throughout the EU, including the Netherlands. You don't need a new passport. However, if you have a dog, you still need to register the dog's arrival with a Dutch vet using your UBN.

How much does the UBN cost?

€23.02 for 2026, paid immediately via iDEAL or Wero when you complete the application online.

Can PetRelocation get the UBN for me?

No. The UBN is tied to your personal BSN and requires your DigiD login, so this must be done by you directly through the Dutch government portal.

What happens if I don't register within 2 weeks?

Operating without required registration is a legal violation. Dutch authorities can issue fines. Beyond the legal requirement, your dog can't receive veterinary care in the Netherlands without proper registration, and you can't travel within the EU with your dog without an EU passport.

Where can I find a vet in the Netherlands?

Search the Dutch Veterinary Association directory at dierenarts.nl/zoekresultaat (website in Dutch).

Settling your pet in the Netherlands involves paperwork, but the process is straightforward once you understand the sequence: BSN, DigiD, UBN, vet registration, EU passport. Complete these steps within your first two weeks and your pet is legally settled and ready to travel freely within the EU.

Need help with the pre-arrival process? PetRelocation handles USDA endorsements, health certificates, airline bookings, and import documentation for pets moving to the Netherlands from the US and other countries. Get a free quote to see how we can simplify your move.