Transporting your pet to the Netherlands? Our team of experts is here to assist you and ensure that this aspect of your relocation is as stress-free as possible, allowing you to concentrate on the human side of your move.
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In This Guide
Moving a dog or cat from the US to the Netherlands is one of the more straightforward EU destinations. The Netherlands follows standard EU import requirements: microchip, rabies vaccination, USDA-endorsed EU health certificate, without the additional country-specific steps that complicate moves to Spain, Greece, or Portugal. No bilingual certificate is required. Amsterdam Schiphol is one of Europe's best-equipped Border Inspection Posts, and KLM's hub routing makes for a clean transatlantic option. Get the documentation chain right and there's no quarantine.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit, 134.2 kHz). Non-ISO chips (including AVID 9-digit): owner must travel with compatible scanner, or have a second ISO chip implanted. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required; 21-day wait after primary vaccine (some manufacturers: 30 days) |
| Health certificate | Standard EU health certificate (English-only accepted); USDA-endorsed via VEHCS |
| Bilingual certificate | Not required. Netherlands accepts English-only |
| Titer test | Not required from USA |
| Quarantine | None if documentation is complete |
| Arrival window | Pet must arrive within 10 days of USDA endorsement date (non-commercial) |
| Minimum age | 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21-day post-vaccine wait) |
| Maximum pets (non-commercial) | 5 animals per owner |
| Approved BIP | Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) |
Microchip
Your dog or cat must have an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination. The sequence is fixed: microchip first, rabies vaccine second. If the vaccine was administered before the chip, the vaccination doesn't count toward EU entry requirements and the 21-day clock restarts from the microchip date. If your pet has a non-ISO chip, including the original AVID 9-digit format, APHIS guidance is to travel with a scanner capable of reading it, or have a second ISO-compliant chip implanted alongside the existing one. Both chip numbers must appear on every certificate. Have your vet scan the chip at least 8 weeks before travel to confirm it is readable and the number matches every certificate exactly.
Rabies Vaccination
A current rabies vaccination is required, administered by a USDA-accredited veterinarian after the microchip is confirmed. For a primary (first-ever) vaccination, your pet must wait at least 21 days before travel. Check the vaccine label, as some manufacturers specify 30 days. Boosters given on schedule are valid immediately.
Minimum age: 12 weeks to receive the rabies vaccine, plus the 21-day wait, equals a practical minimum travel age of 15 weeks.
EU Health Certificate: Standard English Version
The Netherlands does not require a bilingual certificate. Your USDA-accredited vet completes the standard EU health certificate in English and submits it through VEHCS (the Veterinary Export Health Certification System) for USDA endorsement.
APHIS must physically ink-sign and emboss the endorsed certificate and mail it back to you. The paper document must travel with your pet. Include a prepaid return envelope when you submit to your APHIS endorsement office and confirm current mail turnaround before booking your travel date. Allow 3 to 5 business days for processing, plus mail return time.
Once endorsed, your pet must arrive in the Netherlands within 10 days of the endorsement date. The certificate and signed owner Declaration must travel with your pet.
Commercial moves: If neither you nor a designated person travels within five days of your pet, the commercial certificate applies, issued and pet departing within 48 hours. The 2025 EU commercial certificate is now required; the 2024 version expired January 11, 2026.
Titer Test
No titer test is required for dogs and cats traveling from the USA. Travelers from EU-unlisted countries must microchip and vaccinate (vaccine at least 30 days old before blood draw), test at an EU-approved lab, then wait 90 days after a passing result. Find the EU approved country list here.
No Quarantine
The Netherlands does not require quarantine for dogs and cats from the USA if documentation is complete and correctly sequenced. Pets arriving with documentation errors can be held at the BIP until the issue is resolved.
The Five-Day Rule: Non-Commercial vs. Commercial
Non-commercial: You or a designated person travels within five days before or after your pet. Standard EU health certificate, 10-day arrival window from USDA endorsement.
Commercial: Neither you nor a designated person travels within five days, or you're moving more than five pets. Commercial certificate applies, issued and pet departing within 48 hours.
Breed Restrictions
The Netherlands repealed its national Pitbull ban in 2008. There is no national breed-specific import ban currently in effect. Dogs of any breed can enter the Netherlands provided they meet standard EU import requirements. Individual municipalities retain authority to enforce local breed-specific regulations. If your dog is a breed that has historically faced restrictions in Europe, confirm local requirements for your specific destination city before finalizing your move.
Separately, a June 2025 Dutch court ruling prohibits the Dutch Kennel Club from issuing pedigrees for brachycephalic dogs whose muzzle is less than one-third of skull length. This is a breeding regulation, not an import restriction. You can bring a flat-faced dog to the Netherlands. If your dog is one of the 25 affected brachycephalic breeds, consult your vet before committing to a Dutch destination.
Entry Airport: Amsterdam Schiphol
Pets entering the Netherlands from non-EU countries by air must clear customs at an approved Border Inspection Post. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is the Netherlands' approved BIP and one of the largest and most experienced pet entry points in Europe.
KLM's Animal Hotel at Schiphol handles high volumes of pet cargo professionally, with trained staff and proper climate-controlled facilities. For US-origin moves, Schiphol is both the entry point and a practical routing advantage. KLM operates direct transatlantic service from multiple US cities, and the animal handling infrastructure at their home hub is among the best in the EU.
Airline and Transport Options
KLM via Amsterdam Schiphol is the most direct and operationally smooth option for most US-to-Netherlands moves. Direct transatlantic service, Schiphol is your BIP, and KLM's animal handling is well-established. For small dogs and cats under 8 kg including carrier, in-cabin travel may be available on some routes.
Lufthansa via Frankfurt is a reliable alternative, with a connection to Amsterdam. The Frankfurt Animal Lounge is another world-class facility, and Frankfurt is an approved EU BIP. Your pet would clear entry there and connect domestically.
United and Delta, as of early 2026, restrict transatlantic pet cargo to active US military and State Department personnel. They are not available for general-public pet cargo on transatlantic routes.
Cargo vs. excess baggage: Excess baggage means your pet travels on your flight. Simpler customs, lower cost. Manifest cargo means your pet ships separately, typically required for larger dogs. Both qualify as non-commercial within the five-day window.
Crate requirements: IATA Live Animal Regulations. Rigid construction, appropriate sizing (pet can stand, turn, lie down), secure hardware, ventilation on three sides, external food and water containers. Airlines check compliance at drop-off.
Seasonal embargoes: Most carriers restrict cargo pet travel above approximately 85°F / 29°C. The Netherlands is generally temperate and less affected by summer heat embargoes than southern EU destinations, but confirm with your carrier for summer travel.
After You Arrive: Netherlands-Specific Post-Arrival Steps
Unlike most EU countries, the Netherlands has specific registration requirements once your pet is settled. These don't affect your import documentation but are legal requirements for living in the Netherlands with a pet.
EU Pet Passport: Once in the Netherlands, your USDA-endorsed EU health certificate can be used for up to four months of travel within the EU. After that, or if you plan to travel within the EU regularly, your Dutch vet can issue an EU Pet Passport, a standardized document that simplifies future EU travel.
UBN Registration (Dogs only, required): The Netherlands requires all dog owners to register with the government's UBN (Uniek Bedrijfsnummer) system. As of April 8, 2025, this is legally required for anyone importing a dog, and your vet cannot register your dog, insert a microchip in the Dutch system, or issue an EU pet passport without your UBN on file. Apply for your UBN at my.rvo.nl using DigiD before your first vet visit. The one-time fee is €23.02. Once you have your UBN, take your dog to a Dutch vet within 14 days of arrival. The vet will complete the import registration and issue an EU pet passport. For cats: UBN registration applies to commercial keepers only and is not required for private owners with a single cat.
Microchip database registration: Register your pet's microchip in the Dutch national database (Dibevo-register or equivalent) after arrival. This is separate from your US microchip registration and is required for local compliance.
Timeline: USA to Netherlands
3 to 4 months before travel: Confirm microchip is ISO-compliant and implanted before rabies vaccine. If primary vaccination needed, schedule now and note the 21-day wait. Identify a USDA-accredited vet who uses VEHCS. Book airline cargo space. KLM fills up on transatlantic routes.
7 to 10 days before travel: Your vet completes the standard English EU health certificate via VEHCS and submits for USDA endorsement. Include a prepaid return envelope for the physical endorsed certificate. Allow 3 to 5 business days processing plus mail return time. Once endorsed, your pet must arrive within 10 days.
Common mistakes:
- Microchip implanted after rabies vaccine, clock resets.
- Booking before checking KLM's current cargo availability on your route.
- Forgetting to sign the owner Declaration on the health certificate before travel.
- Assuming VEHCS electronic submission alone is sufficient. APHIS must mail back the physical ink-signed, embossed certificate.
- Missing post-arrival UBN and microchip database registration steps.
How PetRelocation Can Help
We've coordinated hundreds of moves through Amsterdam Schiphol and know the KLM cargo process well. The Netherlands is one of the cleaner EU routes: the documentation chain is standard, Schiphol is experienced, and there's no bilingual cert complication. That said, getting the sequencing and timing wrong still causes real problems.
Complete Support covers the full process: USDA-accredited vet coordination, VEHCS submission, APHIS endorsement and physical mail-back logistics, KLM cargo booking, and customs documentation at Schiphol.
Vet Paperwork Support covers the documentation chain while you manage airline logistics.
Consultation gives you access to our team to work through your specific timeline and questions.
Ready to start? Get a free quote from PetRelocation.
For official requirements, see the USDA APHIS Netherlands pet travel page.
