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Pet Travel From the United States to

Netherlands

Last Modified:

Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type

Carefully read ALL of the requirements related to your pet on this page.

This page provides the most recent entry requirements and can change without

notice.

It is the responsibility of the veterinarian to make sure the pet has met all

health requirements of the destination country before issuing a health

certificate.

Failure to meet the requirements may result in problems gaining certificate

endorsement or difficulties upon arrival in the destination country.

Health certificates must be legible, accurate, and complete.



Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets

STEP 1: Meet the EU's Microchip and Rabies Vaccination Requirements

Microchip

Your pet must have a working microchip (also called a “transponder”) before

getting its rabies vaccination for travel to the EU, and your veterinarian must

always scan the microchip before giving your pet a rabies vaccination.

If your pet does not yet have a microchip or has a microchip that doesn’t work,

ask your veterinarian to implant an ISO-compliant* microchip.

If your pet has a working microchip, but it is not ISO compliant,* you will need

to travel with your own scanner that can read the microchip OR have a second

microchip implanted that is ISO compliant.* Make sure both microchips are

listed on the health certificate!

*ISO-compliant microchip numbers are usually 15 digits long and meet specific

international standards (ISO 11784 and ISO 11785). You can check ISO-compliance

with the microchip manufacturer.

Rabies Vaccination

“Primary” Rabies Vaccination:

The first rabies vaccination your pet getsafterits microchip or afterany lapse

in coverage is a “primary” rabies vaccination according to EU rules.

For all pets vaccinated in the United States, a “primary” rabies vaccination is

only valid for 1 year. Even if your pet is an adult animal and receives a three-

year vaccine, if it is a “primary” rabies vaccination according to EU rules, it is

only valid for 1 year.

If your pet does not receive another rabies vaccination within 1 year of a

“primary” rabies vaccination, it means the vaccination coverage lapsed and

you must start over. Even if the vaccination coverage only lapses by a day, the

next rabies vaccination is again considered a “primary” rabies vaccination, and

it is only valid for 1 year.

“Booster” Rabies Vaccination:

If your petdoesget its next rabies vaccination within 1 year of a “primary”

rabies vaccination, this “booster” rabies vaccination can be valid for 1-3 years,

according to the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions.

Note:If your pet’s most recent rabies vaccination before traveling to the EU is a

“booster” rabies vaccination (rather than “primary”), you are responsible for

providing all relevant rabies vaccination certificates to prove there was no lapse in

coverage since the "primary" rabies vaccination.

Reminder! Rabies Vaccinations do NOT count according to EU

rules if:

Your pet got the vaccinationbeforeit had a microchip; or

Your pet got the vaccinationwithout first having its microchip scanned.

Your pet should travel with all relevant rabies vaccination certificate(s), and it is

stronglyrecommended the microchip number is recorded on all rabies vaccination

certificate(s).

21-Day Waiting Period

After any "primary" rabies vaccination, your pet must wait 21 days before traveling

to the EU.Your pet can travel to the EU less than 21 days after a “booster” rabies

vaccination, but then the previous rabies vaccination must also be included on the

health certificate.

If your pet isless than 16 weeks oldand cannot meet the above requirements,

click here.

Want to simplify your paperwork?

Ask your veterinarian to give your pet a 1-year rabies vaccination (after scanning

the microchip) at least 21 days before your travel to the EU but less than one year

before your travel date (for example, 3-6 months before travel date). That way, no

matter the rabies vaccination history, you only need to keep up with one vaccination

certificate instead of several! Doing it this way also makes it easier for theUSDA

endorsement officeto review, which means you get your endorsed certificate back

faster.

STEP 2: Have an Accredited Veterinarian or Military Veterinarian* issue the EU Health

Certificate

Important

The EU has two versions of the pet health certificate: the "non-commercial"

and the "commercial." Both health certificate versions require an Accredited

Veterinarian toissue (complete, sign, and date) the health certificate and then USDA

toendorse(countersign and emboss/stamp) the health certificate before your pet's

travel. However, it is much easier to meet the timeframes for the "non-commercial"

health certificate than the "commercial" health certificate, so keep this in mind when

arranging your pet's travel.

"Non-commercial" Health Certificate

You should use the "non-commercial" health certificate if you or adesignated

person** is traveling within 5 days before or after your pet(s),and5 or fewer

pets are traveling.

Though uncommon, you can also use the "non-commercial" for 6 or more pets

traveling to the EU for specific events like competitions, exhibitions, or sporting

events.

The "non-commercial" health certificate is valid for 30 daysafterthe Accredited

Veterinarian issues it.

The USDA must endorse the completed health certificate within ten days of

arriving in the EU. See STEP 3 below for more information on the endorsement.

Declaration: The final page of the EU Health Certificate contains a Declaration that

must be completed and signed by the pet owner ordesignated person** before the

pet travels to the EU. The Declarationmustaccompany the pet and health certificate

to the EU.

Note:You may use the “non-commercial” EU health certificate to travel within

the EU for up to 4 months as long as your pet’s rabies vaccination does not

expire. If you take yourdogtoFinland, Malta, Ireland (including Northern

Ireland) or Norwayafter entering the EU, your dog must be treated for

tapeworms by an EU veterinarian 1-5 days before entering those countries.

"Commercial" Health Certificate

You must use the "commercial" health certificate if you or adesignated person

**cannottravel within 5 days of your pet,oryou are traveling with 6 or more

pets.

The "commercial" health certificate must be issued by an Accredited

Veterinarian and endorsed by the USDAwithin 48 hours of departing the

U.S. with your pet.

**Designated person is a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the

owner to travel with the pet.

Note:If a Military Veterinarian* issues the health certificate, USDA endorsement is

notrequired. However, the Military Veterinarian must issue the “non-commercial”

health certificate within 10 days of arrival in the EU, or the “commercial” health

certificate within 48 hours of the pet leaving the U.S.

*Military Veterinarian is defined as a Veterinary Corps Officer, or civilian GS-0701

series government veterinarian employed by the U.S. Army Veterinary Service

working at military treatment facilities. It does not apply to Army Veterinary Service

non-appropriated funds or Department of Defense civilian contract veterinarians.

STEP 3: Have the USDA endorse the EU Health Certificate

After your pet's Accredited Veterinarian has issued the EU health certificate, you

must have the health certificate endorsed by aUSDA Endorsement Office.

"Non-Commercial" health certificate:The endorsement must happen

within10 daysof your pet's arrival in the EU.

"Commercial" health certificate: The endorsement can happen any time

within the48 hoursafterthe Accredited Veterinarian issues the certificate.

The USDA Endorsement Office will be able to provide specific information about the

process and fees associated with the endorsement of the EU health certificate.Learn

more aboutCosts to Endorsement your Pet's Health Certificate.

If the pet has a valid EU Pet Passport,it may not need an export health

certificate.

The EU encourages allEU citizens travelling to a non-EU country with their pet

animals to have the anti-rabies booster administered to their pets before

departure in case the period of validity of the vaccination ends during their stay

in the non-EU country.

If EU citizens vaccinate their pets in the United States, the owner must make

sure that the veterinarian follows EU rabies vaccination requirements for the

anti-rabies booster to be valid to return to the EU.

EU pets MUST have an export health certificate in addition to the EU Pet

Passport to return to the EU, if they received an anti-rabies booster in the

United States.

Health Certificates

Carefully read all the steps above before selecting a health certificate.

Birds

Please make sure you read all requirements for taking pet birds

to the European Union (EU).

The following applies to pet birds traveling to the EU in a group of five or less.

Identification of the pet birds

Pet birds must have an identification number such as a clip, leg band,

microchip (transponder), or tag; or

If the pet birds will be moved to an approved quarantine establishment

(Option 3 below), a description of the birds is sufficient. In this case

however, the pet birds must be sealed by APHIS in their container, and the

seal number recorded on the health certificate.

The 4 options for preparation of pet birds for export to the EU are listed below.

Select the applicable option to obtain a relevant health certificate.

For all 4 options, pet birds must be examined, and an EU health certificate

issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian within48 hoursof travel or the last

working day prior to the date of departure to the EU. After your USDA

Accredited Veterinarian issues the certificate, it must be endorsed by the USDA

APHIS.

Note: If the pet birds will eventually return to the United States, some

requirements for the return may need to be met before export to the EU.

Click here to view the requirements for pet birds returning to the United

States.

OPTION 1: The pet bird was isolated under official supervision for at least 30 days prior to the

date of deparure with no contact with any other birds.

The pet bird was isolated from other birds under the USDA Accredited Veterinarian’s

supervision for at least 30 days prior to leaving the United States.

OPTION 2: The pet bird was isolated for at least 14 days prior to the date of departure and

tested for Avian Invluenza at least 7 days after start of isolation.

The pet bird was isolated from other birds for at least 14 days prior to leaving the

United States AND tested for Avian Influenza H5 and H7 antigens or genomes with a

virus isolation or RT-PCR test. Regardless of test type used, both a cloacal swab and

an oropharyngeal swab must be taken by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian at least

7 days after the 14-day isolation starts. Testing must occur at a NVSL or National

Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) approved laboratory for Avian Influenza.

NOTE: the day isolation begins is considered DAY 0.



OPTION 3: The owner made arrangements for a 30-day post-introduction quarantine in an

approved quarantine facility in the EU.

To use OPTION 3, the owner must:

Make arrangements in advance for the pet bird to be quarantined for at least

30 days at an approved quarantine establishment upon arrival in the EU;

Provide documentary evidence that such arrangements have been made

OPTION 4: The owner has been granted a derogation from the government of the destination

country in the EU.

To use OPTION 4, the owner must:

Request and be granted permission to deviate from the standard requirements

described by the options above;

Note: This permission comes from the government of the destination

country, NOT the USDA.

Provide documentary evidence that this permission/derogation has been

granted.

Other Pets

For pet travel requirements not listed, APHIS has not been officially informed by the

foreign country about the requirements for your pet’s travel. We recommend that

you contact a government official of the country you are traveling to for more

information.

Country of Destination Contact Information

World Organisation for Animal Health: Members

U.S. Department of State: Foreign Embassies and Consulates

Countries Participating in the European Union

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Republic of Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Northern Ireland

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (UK), but will continue to follow European

Union (EU) requirements even though the UK is no longer part of the EU.

Norway and Switzerland are not part of the EU but have adopted EU legislation for import of

most species of live animals.

Important Travel Considerations

Considerations for airline travel and cruises:

Airlines and shipping lines have their own policies and requirements for transporting

pets. Check with your airline or shipping representative to determine what

requirements they may have.

Learn how you can improve the safety of dogs and cats during air travel.

View additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS

endorsement of international health certificates (239.52 KB).

If pets or support animals accompany you on a cruise, you must comply with entry

rules for every country or port where your pet or support animal exits the ship.

Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?

View APHIS Requirements

ALERT: If you're traveling with a dog, be aware that the CDC has additional

requirements for bringing a dog into the United States. You must follow CDC's

requirements, or your dog will not be allowed to enter the United States.

If you are transiting (passing through) the European Union:

If your pet is traveling through (transiting) a country in the European Union (EU) on

the way to a third, non-EU country, you will also need a transit health certificate for

your pet for the EU. The transit health certificate will be the same as if your pet’s

final destination was the EU country. Use the information and steps above under

“Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type” to determine which health certificate

should be used. View a list of EU countries.

See More See Less

Need Help?

Guidance for Pet Owners

Read an overview of the process for taking your pet to another country and related

resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

View frequently asked questions about traveling with your pet.

Still Have Questions?

USDA-Accredited Veterinarians

Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination

country's entry requirements for pets (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or

treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.

Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

USDA Endorsement Offices

Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for

questions about endorsing a health certificate for pets.

- Select a State -

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All Contacts

Looking for Another Country?

Find your destination country requirements by using the dropdown menu below. If

your country is not listed in the menu, visit Pet Travel: Unknown Requirements.

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