Pet travel route
Dog or cat from the Netherlands to Bahrain: the rules
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 3 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit, rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate and cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section and 3 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 6 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- On this route: rabies blood test needed, import permit needed, official stamp on the certificate and tell the authority in advance.
- No quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
Limited official guidance. The authority for entering Bahrain publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Bahrain publishes only a short description of its cat and dog import permits (in the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture's 2024 services guide, in Arabic) and a list of documents on the Customs Affairs website. Neither says whether a microchip is needed, which vaccinations are required or how long before travel, the minimum result, laboratory or timing of the rabies blood test, how recent the health certificate must be, how long the permit is valid, or which countries pets may come from. Ask the Veterinary Quarantine Section (vetquarantine@mun.gov.bh, +973 17987039) before you book anything.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
3 weeks
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Book your NVWA legalisation appointment by e-mail (14 working days is about 20 calendar days (our conversion, not an official figure); the destination decides how long before departure the legalisation may take place)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- Rabies blood test needed
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
- Official stamp on the certificate
- Tell the authority in advance
How early to start (cats)
3 weeks
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Book your NVWA legalisation appointment by e-mail (14 working days is about 20 calendar days (our conversion, not an official figure); the destination decides how long before departure the legalisation may take place)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- Rabies blood test needed
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
- Official stamp on the certificate
- Tell the authority in advance
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
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Rule change for pets travelling from the Netherlands to Bahrain
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Netherlands → Bahrain
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether the Netherlands (leaving) or Bahrain (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
VaccinationEntering Bahrain
Vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit
Before it issues the permit, the Veterinary Quarantine Section checks your pet's vaccination booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete. The guide doesn't list the vaccinations or say how long before travel they must be given. Bahrain also asks for a rabies blood test, which is only meaningful for a pet vaccinated against rabies, so have your pet vaccinated against rabies and ask the section which other vaccinations it wants.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
Neither the ministry's guide nor Customs names rabies vaccination as such. We list it because the rabies blood test is asked for, and we mark it for confirmation.
“والتأكد من دفتر التطعيمات”
“وإكمال كافة التطعيمات المطلوبة”
Blood testEntering Bahrain
Rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate
Your pet needs a rabies blood test (a rabies antibody neutralisation test, RANAT), and its certificate is shown on arrival with the health certificate. Neither the ministry nor Customs says what result is needed, which laboratory to use or how long before travel the blood sample must be taken: ask the Veterinary Quarantine Section before you book the test.
Details and the official words
“عند الوصول شهادة صحية حكومية وشهادة منشأ وشهادة فحص دم عن مرض السعار”
“A blood test for rabies (RANAT)”
PermitEntering Bahrain
Cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section
Apply in person at the Veterinary Quarantine Section of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture (you, or someone holding your power of attorney if you aren't in Bahrain). Bring a copy of your pet's vaccination booklet and a copy of your ID card. The section checks the booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete, then issues the permit. The fee is 5 Bahraini dinars for a personal import. The guide gives no processing time or validity period, so apply well before you travel.
Details and the official words
Cats and dogs are separate permits (services 112 and 113 in the ministry's guide). The guide doesn't say whether one permit covers several animals.
Bahrain Customs says to contact the Veterinary Quarantine Section before importing a dog or cat. Email vetquarantine@mun.gov.bh or call +973 17987039 or 17987364.
“تصريح إستيراد قطط”
“تصريح إستيراد كلب”
“يجب على صاحب الطلب الحضور إلى قسم المحاجر البيطرية لطلب إصدار تصريح إستيراد كلب”
“نسخة من دفتر التطعيمات”
“صورة من بطاقة الهوية وصورة من السجل التجاري أو توكيل عن الشخص المستورد في حال عدم تواجده”
“5 دينار للشخصي”
“To contact the Veterinary Quarries Department before importing”
“vetquarantine@MUN.GOV.BH”
In the days before you travel
PaperworkThe Netherlands and Bahrain
Original government health certificate and certificate of origin
Your pet arrives with an original government health certificate from the country it comes from and an original certificate of origin, together with the rabies blood test certificate. The pages don't say how recent the health certificate must be or what it must state.
Details and the official words
Legalisation of the passport or health certificate at NVWA: Bring all the documents NVWA asks for to your appointment. If you need a health certificate for the trip, your own vet must complete and sign the form fully beforehand. NVWA checks the EU pet passport and any other documents and legalises them if everything is approved. If a document is missing or incomplete, the legalisation cannot take place and you need a new appointment.
“عند الوصول شهادة صحية حكومية وشهادة منشأ وشهادة فحص دم عن مرض السعار”
“Importing live animals (dogs and cats)”
“An original government health certificate”
“An original certificate of origin”
“If you need a health certificate for your animal's trip, make sure your veterinarian completes and signs the form completely.”
“If there any documents missing or incomplete, the legalisation cannot take place.”
Official stampLeaving the Netherlands
Book your NVWA legalisation appointment by e-mail
E-mail dpp@nvwa.nl at least 14 working days before the date you want the legalisation to take place, with the type of animal, the destination, any stops on the way, your expected departure date or period, the purpose of the trip and your phone number. NVWA tries to reply within 2 working days and then sends an appointment confirmation. The appointment is at its office in Utrecht, on working days between 10:00 and 16:00.
Details and the official words
The time allowed between legalisation and departure can vary from country to country.
Cancelling or rescheduling is free up to 24 hours before the appointment. NVWA may be unable to move the appointment to your preferred date, especially if it is busy or the request came less than 14 working days ahead.
“Make sure to do this at least 14 working days before the date on which you want the legalisation to take place.”
“The appointment is at our office in Utrecht.”
“The amount of time allowed between legalisation and departure can vary from country to country.”
NoticeEntering Bahrain
Tell the Veterinary Quarantine Section when your pet arrives
Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Contact the section in advance and tell it the date and time of arrival, so the checks aren't delayed. No deadline is given.
Details and the official words
The Customs page still uses the ministry's older name (Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning). Today it is the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture.
If this is missed: If you haven't arranged it, Customs contacts the Veterinary Quarantine and you must wait until its representative arrives and completes the procedures.
“Domestic animals accompanying the traveler are restricted and subject to the control of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning - Veterinary Quarantine.”
“The matter requires that the traveler or the importer coordinate in advance with the concerned parties in the regulatory authority and inform them of the date and time of arrival to prevent any delay in completing the necessary procedures.”
“In the event that the traveler or the importer does not coordinate, the customs will contact the regulatory authority, and the traveler or importer must wait until the representative of the control authority arrives and finish the necessary procedures.”
Good to know
- Bahrain Customs lists dog breeds that may not be imported, 'such as' Pit Bull, Mastiff, Tosa and Presa (Presa Canario). The list is given as examples, so check your dog's breed with the Veterinary Quarantine Section.
- The Veterinary Quarantine Section only issues a cat or dog import permit for pets from countries that Bahrain allows them to be imported from. The list of countries isn't published: ask the section before you plan the trip.
- Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Once its checks are done, Customs prepares a simplified customs declaration to finish clearance.
- NVWA legalisation of the EU pet passport and other documents is needed only in some cases. It is usually not necessary if the Netherlands has made agreements with the destination country: NVWA's Export Assistent shows whether a 'binding certificate' with instructions exists. If there is none, ask NVWA whether legalisation is needed.
- The destination's own requirements decide which documents must be legalised, and they can change. NVWA's e-mail after you book tells you what to prepare, but check the current requirements with the destination's authorities too.
- Your pet does not have to come to the legalisation appointment: bring the documents only.
- Legalisation is at your own expense. NVWA's current rates page lists the fee for legalising a dog, cat or ferret passport or certificate (under 'Exportcertificering').
- Planning to bring your pet back to the EU? After a short stay in a non-EU country you can skip the 3-month wait after the rabies blood test, but only if, before you leave the EU, your pet was vaccinated against rabies, passed a successful titer test, and your vet recorded both in its EU pet passport. So do the blood test before you go.
Cats
Get ready
VaccinationEntering Bahrain
Vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit
Before it issues the permit, the Veterinary Quarantine Section checks your pet's vaccination booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete. The guide doesn't list the vaccinations or say how long before travel they must be given. Bahrain also asks for a rabies blood test, which is only meaningful for a pet vaccinated against rabies, so have your pet vaccinated against rabies and ask the section which other vaccinations it wants.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
Neither the ministry's guide nor Customs names rabies vaccination as such. We list it because the rabies blood test is asked for, and we mark it for confirmation.
“والتأكد من دفتر التطعيمات”
“وإكمال كافة التطعيمات المطلوبة”
Blood testEntering Bahrain
Rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate
Your pet needs a rabies blood test (a rabies antibody neutralisation test, RANAT), and its certificate is shown on arrival with the health certificate. Neither the ministry nor Customs says what result is needed, which laboratory to use or how long before travel the blood sample must be taken: ask the Veterinary Quarantine Section before you book the test.
Details and the official words
“عند الوصول شهادة صحية حكومية وشهادة منشأ وشهادة فحص دم عن مرض السعار”
“A blood test for rabies (RANAT)”
PermitEntering Bahrain
Cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section
Apply in person at the Veterinary Quarantine Section of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture (you, or someone holding your power of attorney if you aren't in Bahrain). Bring a copy of your pet's vaccination booklet and a copy of your ID card. The section checks the booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete, then issues the permit. The fee is 5 Bahraini dinars for a personal import. The guide gives no processing time or validity period, so apply well before you travel.
Details and the official words
Cats and dogs are separate permits (services 112 and 113 in the ministry's guide). The guide doesn't say whether one permit covers several animals.
Bahrain Customs says to contact the Veterinary Quarantine Section before importing a dog or cat. Email vetquarantine@mun.gov.bh or call +973 17987039 or 17987364.
“تصريح إستيراد قطط”
“تصريح إستيراد كلب”
“يجب على صاحب الطلب الحضور إلى قسم المحاجر البيطرية لطلب إصدار تصريح إستيراد كلب”
“نسخة من دفتر التطعيمات”
“صورة من بطاقة الهوية وصورة من السجل التجاري أو توكيل عن الشخص المستورد في حال عدم تواجده”
“5 دينار للشخصي”
“To contact the Veterinary Quarries Department before importing”
“vetquarantine@MUN.GOV.BH”
In the days before you travel
PaperworkThe Netherlands and Bahrain
Original government health certificate and certificate of origin
Your pet arrives with an original government health certificate from the country it comes from and an original certificate of origin, together with the rabies blood test certificate. The pages don't say how recent the health certificate must be or what it must state.
Details and the official words
Legalisation of the passport or health certificate at NVWA: Bring all the documents NVWA asks for to your appointment. If you need a health certificate for the trip, your own vet must complete and sign the form fully beforehand. NVWA checks the EU pet passport and any other documents and legalises them if everything is approved. If a document is missing or incomplete, the legalisation cannot take place and you need a new appointment.
“عند الوصول شهادة صحية حكومية وشهادة منشأ وشهادة فحص دم عن مرض السعار”
“Importing live animals (dogs and cats)”
“An original government health certificate”
“An original certificate of origin”
“If you need a health certificate for your animal's trip, make sure your veterinarian completes and signs the form completely.”
“If there any documents missing or incomplete, the legalisation cannot take place.”
Official stampLeaving the Netherlands
Book your NVWA legalisation appointment by e-mail
E-mail dpp@nvwa.nl at least 14 working days before the date you want the legalisation to take place, with the type of animal, the destination, any stops on the way, your expected departure date or period, the purpose of the trip and your phone number. NVWA tries to reply within 2 working days and then sends an appointment confirmation. The appointment is at its office in Utrecht, on working days between 10:00 and 16:00.
Details and the official words
The time allowed between legalisation and departure can vary from country to country.
Cancelling or rescheduling is free up to 24 hours before the appointment. NVWA may be unable to move the appointment to your preferred date, especially if it is busy or the request came less than 14 working days ahead.
“Make sure to do this at least 14 working days before the date on which you want the legalisation to take place.”
“The appointment is at our office in Utrecht.”
“The amount of time allowed between legalisation and departure can vary from country to country.”
NoticeEntering Bahrain
Tell the Veterinary Quarantine Section when your pet arrives
Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Contact the section in advance and tell it the date and time of arrival, so the checks aren't delayed. No deadline is given.
Details and the official words
The Customs page still uses the ministry's older name (Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning). Today it is the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture.
If this is missed: If you haven't arranged it, Customs contacts the Veterinary Quarantine and you must wait until its representative arrives and completes the procedures.
“Domestic animals accompanying the traveler are restricted and subject to the control of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning - Veterinary Quarantine.”
“The matter requires that the traveler or the importer coordinate in advance with the concerned parties in the regulatory authority and inform them of the date and time of arrival to prevent any delay in completing the necessary procedures.”
“In the event that the traveler or the importer does not coordinate, the customs will contact the regulatory authority, and the traveler or importer must wait until the representative of the control authority arrives and finish the necessary procedures.”
Good to know
- The Veterinary Quarantine Section only issues a cat or dog import permit for pets from countries that Bahrain allows them to be imported from. The list of countries isn't published: ask the section before you plan the trip.
- Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Once its checks are done, Customs prepares a simplified customs declaration to finish clearance.
- NVWA legalisation of the EU pet passport and other documents is needed only in some cases. It is usually not necessary if the Netherlands has made agreements with the destination country: NVWA's Export Assistent shows whether a 'binding certificate' with instructions exists. If there is none, ask NVWA whether legalisation is needed.
- The destination's own requirements decide which documents must be legalised, and they can change. NVWA's e-mail after you book tells you what to prepare, but check the current requirements with the destination's authorities too.
- Your pet does not have to come to the legalisation appointment: bring the documents only.
- Legalisation is at your own expense. NVWA's current rates page lists the fee for legalising a dog, cat or ferret passport or certificate (under 'Exportcertificering').
- Planning to bring your pet back to the EU? After a short stay in a non-EU country you can skip the 3-month wait after the rabies blood test, but only if, before you leave the EU, your pet was vaccinated against rabies, passed a successful titer test, and your vet recorded both in its EU pet passport. So do the blood test before you go.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in the Netherlands publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
NVWA legalisation of the passport or certificateLeaving Netherlands65.87 EUR
NVWA tariff 2026, per legalisation; no VAT.
“legaliseren paspoort|certificaat voor honden|katten|fretten 65,87”
NVWA-tarieven exportcertificering 2026 · as of 2026-01-01
Cat or dog import permit, personal importEntering Bahrain5 BHD
Government fees in total: 65.87 EUR + 5 BHD (each currency separately)
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit55–87.05 EUR
the Netherlands: 4 published prices
- Dierenartsenpraktijk De Dijk (Leerdam area): Rabies vaccination for a dog (same price listed for a cat), including health check/consult, excluding home-visit surcharge (home-visit practice)55 EUR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
- Dierenartsenpraktijk Kollum - Buitenpost: Rabies vaccination (valid 3 years); prices incl. VAT, valid from 1 January 202675.50 EUR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
- Uw Dierenarts (Lelystad): Rabies vaccination including a health check84.25 EUR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
- Groepspraktijk Dierenartsen (Barneveld): Rabies vaccination for a dog including a health check (stand-alone appointment)87.05 EUR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
Rabies blood test: the lab’s own pricean approved laboratory; your vet adds the blood draw and the courier · for: rabies blood test (RANAT) certificatePrices from 8 countries
Austria: 1 published price
- AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety), Institute for Veterinary Investigations Mödling: Lab price for the rabies antibody titre test for pets (EU-recognised lab), samples sent from EU countries, 20% VAT included; transport to the lab paid by the sender97.26 EUR · per sample · read 2026-10-13
France: 2 published prices
- Laboratoire départemental de la Haute-Garonne (LD31 EVA): Lab price for the FAVN (WOAH/OMSA method) rabies antibody test, VAT included, price guaranteed until 31/12/2026 (from the lab's order form)99 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Inovalys (laboratory): Lab price only: rabies antibody titration (COFRAC accredited), ordered online by the owner; the page says the blood sample is taken by your vet and sending it to the lab is the owner's responsibility (no amounts given for those)99.18 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United Kingdom: 2 published prices
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats for pet travel (test code TC0712), single sample, excluding VAT72.30 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats, extended method (test code TC0570), single sample, excluding VAT106 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
Japan: 1 published price
- Research Institute for Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology (RIAS, 一般財団法人生物科学安全研究所): Lab fee only: rabies antibody test at RIAS (a MAFF-designated lab), tax included, paid in advance by bank transfer; vet's blood draw and shipping not included15,000 JPY · per sample · read 2026-10-13
Poland: 1 published price
- National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet-PIB), Puławy: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test, standard service (max 21 calendar days), electronic report only, gross (VAT included)280 PLN · per test · read 2026-10-13
Sweden: 1 published price
- Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA): Lab price for the FAVN rabies vaccination-check antibody test (article D142410), excluding VAT (exkl. moms)1,365 SEK · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United States: 1 published price
- University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for pet travel/export (University of Missouri VMDL One Health-Rabies Laboratory); shipping not stated79 USD · per test · read 2026-10-13
South Africa: 1 published price
- Agricultural Research Council – Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR): Lab price for the rabies neutralization (antibody) test per clear serum sample, VAT included; the price list does not name FAVN or RFFIT (ARC-Onderstepoort diagnostic price list, PDF created May 2026)2,030 ZAR · per clear serum sample · read 2026-10-13
Health certificate (vet’s fee)your vet · for: original government health certificate and certificate of origin105 EUR
the Netherlands: 1 published price
- Dierenkliniek Vondelpark (De Dierenkliniek, Amsterdam): Consultation for a health certificate for travel outside the EU (the table cell lists the inside-EU label, then the outside-EU label, then the two prices in the same order, so the second price is the outside-EU one)105 EUR · per consultation · read 2026-10-13
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to the Netherlands
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves the Netherlands.
The trip back asks for 5 steps: microchip, rabies vaccination, EU animal health certificate and non-commercial declaration and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- دليل خدمات وزارة شؤون البلديات والزراعة (Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture services guide, 2024): cat and dog import permits (services 112 and 113) and export health certificate (service 117)
- IM-2312-LIC: Animal Control Department, Quarries and Veterinary Control Department (Bahrain Customs Affairs)
- Personal Pets: importing live pets (Bahrain Customs Affairs)
- Legalisation of EU pet passports and other documents for dogs, cats and ferrets (NVWA)
- EU rules on travelling with pets and other animals in the EU (Your Europe)
- NVWA-tarieven exportcertificering 2026
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from the Netherlands to Bahrain?
Yes: Your pet needs a rabies blood test (a rabies antibody neutralisation test, RANAT), and its certificate is shown on arrival with the health certificate.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Bahrain?
Yes: Apply in person at the Veterinary Quarantine Section of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture (you, or someone holding your power of attorney if you aren't in Bahrain).
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Bahrain?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for the Netherlands to Bahrain?
With nothing done yet, start at least 3 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit, rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate and cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section and 3 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
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Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.