Pet Shipping to the Netherlands from the USA — 2026 Requirements
Standard EU rules get your pet across the border — no titer test, no quarantine from the U.S. But the Netherlands added something unique in 2025: every imported dog now needs a UBN (Unique Business Number) before a Dutch vet can even touch it. This step trips up more people than the actual EU paperwork does.
Relocating to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Utrecht? We handle EU Annex IV documentation, USDA endorsement, and UBN registration guidance from start to finish.
Bringing your dog or cat from the U.S. to the Netherlands means following the EU's standard non-commercial pet travel rules, enforced on the Dutch side by the NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority). Since the U.S. is on the EU's list of approved countries, your pet doesn't need a rabies titer test, and the standard 21-day rabies wait applies — not the longer timelines that apply to unlisted, high-risk countries. What makes the Netherlands distinct is what happens after the EU paperwork: as of April 2025, importing a dog legally requires a UBN, a Dutch business registration number, before any Dutch veterinarian can microchip, register, or issue documents for your dog. This guide covers the current 2026 requirements and the UBN process most guides underplay. For broader relocation help, see our international pet shipping solutions and our pet travel experts.
Dogs Need a UBN — Get It Before Your First Vet VisitSince April 8, 2025, no Dutch veterinarian can microchip, register, or issue an EU pet passport for your dog without a UBN (Uniek Bedrijfsnummer) on file, even for a single private pet. Getting a UBN requires a BSN (Dutch citizen service number) and a DigiD login first — a real prerequisite chain, not a same-day errand. Start this well before your Dutch vet appointment. Cats are simpler: a UBN is only required for commercial cat-keeping, not for a single private pet.
Your Netherlands Pet Relocation Timeline
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6+ Weeks Out
Microchip First, Then Rabies Vaccine
Implant an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip before — or the same day as — the rabies vaccination. A vaccine given before the microchip is invalid for EU entry and must be repeated.
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21+ Days Before Travel
Rabies Vaccination
Pets must be at least 12 weeks old at vaccination, with at least 21 days between a first-time vaccination and entry. No titer test and no extended waiting period is needed — that longer process only applies to pets from EU-unlisted, high-risk countries, which the U.S. is not.
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Within 10 Days of Travel
EU Annex IV Health Certificate
A USDA-accredited veterinarian issues the EU non-commercial health certificate, confirming microchip, rabies vaccination, and general health. Your pet must arrive in the EU within 10 days of the certificate being endorsed.
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Same Week
USDA APHIS Endorsement
Most EU certificates now process through USDA APHIS's VEHCS system. See our pet documentation services for help managing this step.
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Before You Travel (Dogs Only)
Start the UBN Application Chain
For dogs, the sequence is: register for a BSN (Dutch citizen service number), use it to request a DigiD login, then apply for your UBN at mijn.rvo.nl. The one-time UBN fee is roughly €23. If you'll be in the Netherlands long enough to need a BSN as a resident anyway, start this process as early as your relocation timeline allows.
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Before You Book
Confirm Airline Policy
Cabin, checked baggage, and cargo eligibility vary by airline. Most carriers also restrict cargo pet travel above roughly 85°F (29°C), so summer routing can add scheduling constraints.
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Arrival in the Netherlands
Border Control Post Document Check
Entry must be made through an approved Border Control Post (BCP). NVWA inspects arriving pets alongside Dutch Customs. With complete documents, there's no quarantine.
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Within 2 Weeks of Arrival (Dogs)
Register With a Dutch Veterinarian
Take your dog to a Dutch vet within 2 weeks of arrival. Using your UBN, the vet records the import, confirms the microchip, and issues an EU pet passport (or registers the import under an existing EU passport if your dog already has one). Cats don't need a UBN, but registering your cat's chip in the national database and getting a European passport is still worthwhile if you plan to travel within the EU.
Requirements Checklist
All Dogs and Cats
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ISO 11784/11785 Microchip (15-digit)Implanted before or the same day as the rabies vaccine.
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Rabies Vaccination (pet must be 12+ weeks old)21-day wait for a first-time vaccination.
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EU Annex IV Health Certificate + USDA EndorsementPet must arrive within 10 days of endorsement.
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UBN Registration (Dogs Only)Legally required to import any dog since April 2025, needed before a Dutch vet can microchip, register, or paper your dog. Not required for a single private cat.
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Vet Registration Within 2 Weeks of ArrivalImport, microchip, and pet passport recorded by a Dutch veterinarian.
No Titer Test, No QuarantineBecause the U.S. is on the EU's list of approved third countries, pets traveling from the U.S. skip the rabies antibody titer test entirely, and there's no quarantine for pets with complete documentation.
Up to 5 Pets, Same FlightNon-commercial entry generally requires the pet to travel with the owner (or a designated person, within 5 days), with up to 5 pets per traveler. Traveling with 6 or more pets, or without the owner, triggers commercial movement rules instead.
Popular Pet-Friendly Destinations in the Netherlands
Amsterdam AMS
A vibrant capital with pet-friendly parks, canalside walks, and many dog-friendly cafes.
Rotterdam RTM
Modern architecture, waterfront promenades, and a welcoming range of pet services.
Utrecht UTC
A compact, historic city with pet-friendly accommodations and easy access to green space.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to enter the Netherlands?
No. Since the U.S. is an EU-listed third country, pets traveling from the U.S. do not need a rabies antibody titer test.
What is a UBN and do I need one?
A UBN (Uniek Bedrijfsnummer) is a Dutch business registration number. As of April 2025, it's legally required to import any dog into the Netherlands, even a single private pet, before a Dutch vet can microchip, register, or issue documents for your dog. It's not required for a single private cat.
How do I actually get a UBN before moving?
The chain is: register for a BSN (Dutch citizen service number), use your BSN to request a DigiD login, then apply for your UBN at mijn.rvo.nl. The one-time fee is roughly €23. This isn't a same-day process, so start early.
Does my pet really need to be 7 months old to enter the Netherlands?
No, not from the U.S. That figure applies only to pets from EU-unlisted, high-risk countries that must complete a titer test and extended waiting period. Since the U.S. is EU-listed, the standard rule applies: pets just need to be at least 12 weeks old at first vaccination, with a 21-day wait before entry.
Is quarantine required for pets entering the Netherlands?
No. Pets meeting all EU non-commercial entry requirements are not quarantined on arrival.
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