Pet transport from the Netherlands to Belgium and Belgium to the Netherlands

Pet transport from the Netherlands to Belgium or vice versa is straightforward since both countries are part of the European Union. The process follows the standard EU Pet Travel Scheme, which makes moving pets between EU member states simpler than between EU and non-EU countries. Here are the key steps and considerations:

Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant chip, and the rabies vaccination must be given on the same day or after the microchip is implanted.

There is a mandatory 21-day wait period after the primary rabies vaccination before your pet can enter Belgium or the Netherlands. If your pet’s most recent vaccination is a booster given without a lapse in coverage, the 21-day wait is not required.

Rabies vaccinations valid for 1, 2, or 3 years are accepted in both countries. Other vaccinations are not required for entry but are recommended for your pet’s health, especially if boarding facilities may be used.

Travel Requirements: Pets must travel with their owner or a designated person authorized by the owner. The designated person must travel within 5 days of the pet’s movement. If the pet is transported outside of this 5-day window from the owner’s travel, the move may be considered commercial and subject to additional rules.

Additional Notes: In Belgium, dogs must be registered with the local municipality within 8 days of arrival. In the Netherlands, dogs staying longer than 3 months must be entered into the Dutch pet database, usually through a veterinarian within 2 weeks.

If you are transporting your pet more than five days before or after the owner or designated person, you will need to meet stricter import requirements and consider a commercial move, which increases costs and changes the EU import requirements and timeline.

You can find more info on our Pet Travel Checklist page if you need it.

If you'd like to book a trip for your pet, please feel free to reach out to us using the form below.