Since July 2004 the EU introduced a mandatory EU Pet Passport for transportation of cats, dogs and ferrets within the EU, which applies in the Netherlands. Different rules apply if you are bringing an animal from a non-EU country (such as blood tests), or if the animal is listed as an endangered species, or a bird.

To bring your pets into the Netherlands requires a "pet passport" (dierenpaspoort), which is available from veterinarians in all EU and most western nations. The pet passport is both a certificate of health and proof of immunisation against rabies among others that is required by the Dutch customs authority for leave to enter the country.

The animal must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before the departure date. In some countries the vaccination is no longer valid if it is older than 1 year.

Your dog, cat or ferret will also require a special identifying microchip (electronic identification system) or tattoo and the certificate must include details of the chip or tattoo.  Tattoos will no longer be accepted as identification after July 2011, so if your animal is young, you might want to think about a microchip.

Compliance with these regulations will avoid quarantine when you arrive. It is up to the discretion of the airline whether the animal must travel in the hold, or the cabin.

Cats, dogs and ferrets not accompanied by their owners are considered commercial trade and must be examined by a veterinarian within 24 hours before departure for the Netherlands and must travel with a certificate stating the date and time of the exam. The animal will be examined again on arrival.

*Note: Pit Bull terriers and associated crossbreeds are not allowed into the Netherlands.

Other animals

The European Commission is in the process of introducing a veterinary certificate for travel with other types of animals, until that time the transitional measures listed below apply. These pets — unless listed as endangered — can enter the Netherlands with a health certificate issued by a vet. The certificate cannot be older than 10 days upon arrival.

Bubbles, unfortunately, may have to stay in 'Neverland'

It is strongly advised to check with the Dutch embassy in your country and the airline to check on the latest regulations before making arrangements to bring in your pet.

See the EU website on Animal Health and Welfare to check if you need a CITES license (see below).

In particular, parrots, parakeets and budgerigars may not be brought from Argentina, Columbia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Brazil, Senegal, Thailand, East Timor or Paraguay. For these birds, from other places, the certificate of health mentioned above will be required.

More stringent temporary measures may be in place concerning the import of birds due to avian flu, it is therefore recommended that you check the latest information with the Customs office (listed below).

It is important to bear in mind that bringing protected species of flora and fauna into the Netherlands is nearly always prohibited.

You may only bring such species into the country if they have been part of your personal belongings for a long period, according to the customs service. You must, however, be able to prove this by documentation. For the few species you are allowed to bring with you to the Netherlands, you usually need an export licence issued in the country you are moving from, together with an import licence issued by the CITES department of Dienst Regelingen (DR) in Dordrecht (0800 223 33 22, free phone).

It is important you contact the Dutch Customs Information on 0800 0143 (free phone) or +31 45 574 30 31 if you are outside of the Netherlands before making arrangements to bring an unusual animal, bird or plant into the country. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has a good website on Travelling with pets, in English. Go to their site, choose for English, and click on "livestock" to find further information.

Updated: 2011
Expatica / Mindy Ran

Photo credit (puppy): Flickr.com Sid1's photostream