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De Dierenkliniek

What do to when moving to the Netherlands with your pet?

If you’re moving to the Netherlands, there is no need to leave your beloved pets at home, since the country allows newcomers to bring their family pets with them. However, owners should be aware of the strict conditions relating to pet travel and complete the paperwork on time. Below you can find the requirements you need to comply with.

Import rules for dogs and cats from the European Union

Dogs and cats from the EU must have the following on entry:

• Valid EU passport
• Microchip
• Rabies vaccination

Import rules for dogs and cats from outside the European Union

Pets from outside the EU must have the following on entry:

• Valid passport
• Microchip
• Rabies vaccination
• Official import document for non-commercial movement. The import document is issued and signed by the authority of the country outside the EU and is accompanied by a declaration of ownership.

Other things to take into account

Besides having the official documents in order, there are more things to consider:

• Are you travelling by plane? It is essential to contact your airline for more information about their requirements.
• Is your pet anxious or prone to stress? There are several remedies on the market that can help your pet. Please consult your vet or contact us for advice.
• Pets can also suffer from motion sickness. During the (car) journey, they can become nauseous, sometimes start drooling and may vomit. It is possible to give medication to prevent this. Please consult your vet or contact us for advice.
• Is your pet on medication? Make sure you bring enough medication with you to cover the initial period after arrival. The same applies to your pet’s food.

What to do when arriving to the Netherlands with your pet?

Your pet has arrived safely in the Netherlands. There are still a few things you need to take care of.

Arrival

Upon arrival at the airport or ferry terminal in the Netherlands, you and your pet report to customs (declaration of goods). Customs will check your pet and its documents. You do not have to declare your pet in advance. Contact your airline, pet shipper or the airport for more practical information.

Registering your dog

• UBN
  You need to register yourself as a dog owner in the Netherlands. In order to do so, you need to apply for a ‘Uniek Bedrijfsnummer’ (UBN) with our government. You can only apply for a UBN when you have a residential address in the Netherlands and a valid ‘BSN’ (social security number). Note: This is only mandatory for dogs, so it is not required for cats. Apply for the UBN on the following website.
  
  As soon as you have your UBN, it is mandatory to register your dog’s chipnumber and get an European Pet Passport.

• European Pet Passport
  It is mandatory to have a European pet passport for your dog. If you are coming from a non-EU country, a new passport must be issued within 14 days after arrival.

• Import notification
  An import notification must be made. This is a formal requirement that must be carried out by a veterinarian and should be done within 14 days after arrival.

• Microchip registration
  Microchip registration is mandatory for dogs. By registering the microchip number in the Dutch database, your contact details will be linked to the chip number. For cats it is not mandatory, but we do recommend it. This increases the chances of quickly locating the owner when, for example, your cat is lost.

Please contact our clinic to request for these services.

Why choose De Dierenkliniek?

Cat Friendly

We know how stressful it can be for a cat to go to the vet. That is why we do everything we can to make your cat’s visit as pleasant as possible. Our clinics have been awarded the ISFM Cat Friendly certificate.

Expertises

We offer you all the care your pet needs, both first opinion and more specialized care. Our vets master a wide spectrum of specialist treatments and continuously develop to provide the best care for your pet.

Involved Team

Our close-knit and diverse team with years of experience in vet medicine is the foundation of our success. A team with a passion for pets and for our clients. After all, it’s our ultimate hobby. Come by and meet them!

Contact

If you have any questions about our clinics, travelling with your pet, or any other subject? Do not hesitate to contact us! You can reach us by phone, e-mail or WhatsApp.

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