Skip to content
Pawhopper
Plan a tripCountriesGuidesHow we verifyReport a mistake

Pet travel route

Dog or cat from the Netherlands to Kenya: the rules

Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least about 6 months ahead. The main steps: microchip (or other permanent identification), rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment and rabies vaccination within the last year and 4 more.

Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 18 official pages

Make my dated plan Reverse: Kenya → Netherlands

In short

Limited official guidance. The authority for entering Kenya publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Kenya's Directorate of Veterinary Services doesn't currently publish its import conditions on its own website (its 2016 conditions were on kilimo.go.ke until 2024). We follow the conditions printed on its import permits (permits of September 2017 and October 2020, as quoted by Australia's export database), which match the Directorate's own 2016 conditions except that they add the rabies blood test, KenTrade's permit procedure (2024) and Kenya's Animal Diseases Rules. Kenya publishes no list of rabies-free countries, and some Kenyan embassy pages still describe older rules. Your permit lists the conditions for your pet: follow it, and ask the Directorate (infodvs@kilimo.go.ke) if in doubt.

At a glance

The rules on this route are the same for dogs and cats.

How early to start

about 6 months

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment (primary vaccination at least 6 months before shipment)

about 3 months

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: Rabies blood test, 3 to 24 months before shipment (not less than 3 months and not more than 24 months before shipment)

The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.

On this route

  • Rabies blood test needed
  • Import permit needed
  • No quarantine
  • Official stamp on the certificate

Prefer a feed reader? Netherlands rule changes · Kenya rule changes

Netherlands → Kenya

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Each step says whether the Netherlands (leaving) or Kenya (entering) asks for it.

  1. Get ready

    1. IdentificationEntering Kenya

      Microchip (or other permanent identification)

      Your pet must be identified by a permanent mark such as a microchip, and its number must be on the veterinary certificate. Not needed for a pet from a rabies-free country (see the warning).

      Details and the official words

      “Were identified by a permanent mark (such as a microchip) and their identification number shall be stated in the certificate or had any other adequate identification; and”

      “Were identified by a permanent mark (such as a microchip) and their identification number shall be stated in the certificate or had any other adequate identification; and”

    2. VaccinationEntering Kenya

      Rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment

      Your pet's first (primary) rabies vaccination must be given when it is at least 3 months old, and at least 6 months (and at most 1 year) before shipment; a booster must be given at most 1 year before shipment. Use an inactivated vaccine or a recombinant vaccine. Not needed for a pet from a rabies-free country (see the warning).

      Details and the official words

      The 6-month wait is in all the Directorate's own texts (2016 conditions, permits of 2017 and 2020) and in Kenya's Animal Diseases Rules (vaccination certificate dated at least 6 months before import). Some embassy pages instead accept a certificate that there has been no rabies nearby: that is an older rule.

      “Not less than 6 months and not more than one year prior to shipment in the case of a primary vaccination which, should have been carried out when the animals were at least 3 months old;”

      “With an inactivated virus vaccine or with a recombinant vaccine expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein; and”

      “Not less than 6 months and not more than one year prior to shipment in the case of a primary vaccination, which should have been carried out when the animals were at least 3 months old;”

      “canine animals and feline animals: a certificate signed by a veterinary surgeon certifying that the animals have been vaccinated against rabies, such certificate being dated not earlier than three years and not later than six months before the date of importation:”

    3. VaccinationEntering Kenya

      Rabies vaccination within the last year

      The latest rabies vaccination (the first one, or the last booster) must be at most 1 year before shipment. If it will be older on the day your pet leaves, give a booster before then.

      Details and the official words

      Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.

      “Not more than one year prior to shipment in the case of a booster vaccination;”

      “Not more than one year prior to shipment in the case of a booster vaccination;”

    4. Blood testEntering Kenya

      Rabies blood test, 3 to 24 months before shipment

      Your pet needs a rabies antibody test (as set out in the World Organisation for Animal Health manual) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, taken between 24 months and 3 months before shipment. The Directorate of Veterinary Services checks the laboratory certificate on arrival. Not needed for a pet from a rabies-free country (see the warning).

      Details and the official words

      The Directorate's 2016 conditions left the blood test out, but the conditions printed on its permits of September 2017 (cats) and October 2020 (dogs) include it, and the documents its office at Nairobi airport checks include a rabies laboratory test certificate. The plan follows the newer texts; the embassy pages, the UK's 1998 certificate and the US certificate don't mention it.

      “Were subjected not less than 3 months and not more than 24 months prior to shipment to an antibody test as prescribed in the OIE Terrestrial Manual with a positive result equivalent to at least 0.5 IU/mL”

      “Were subjected not less than 3 months and not more than 24 months prior to shipment to an antibody test as prescribed in the OIE Terrestrial Manual with a positive result equivalent to at least 0.5 IU/mL;”

      “Rabies laboratory test certificate”

      “Were subjected not less than 3 months and not more than 24 months prior to shipment to an antibody test as prescribed in the OIE Terrestrial Manual with a positive result equivalent to at least 0.5 IU/ml;”

    5. PermitEntering Kenya

      Import permit (VS01) from the Directorate of Veterinary Services

      Apply online on KenTrade's Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) for the Directorate of Veterinary Services' import permit for dogs and cats (VS01), with a copy of your pet's vaccination certificate, and pay the processing fee (up to KES 500 per animal). The permit lists the conditions your pet must meet, covers one consignment, is valid for at most 90 days and travels with your pet. Some Kenyan embassies also issue a pet import licence: the High Commission in London's is valid for 30 days.

      Details and the official words

      Processing fee: KES 0 to 500 per animal (KenTrade's estimate), paid by M-PESA or at a bank. Kenya's 1998 fee schedule sets KES 500 per dog or cat for an import permit, and USD 50 for one issued at an embassy.

      The application also asks for a Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) number.

      Getting a licence from a Kenyan embassy instead? The High Commission in London's licence is valid for 30 days from issue (two working days to issue, GBP 30 per pet), so apply for it within 30 days of arrival.

      Older permit wording (still on some embassy sites) gave 30 days; the Directorate's 2016 conditions, its permits of 2017 and 2020 and KenTrade's page (2024) all say 90 days.

      “All cats and dogs entering Kenya are required to have an import certificate issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Kenya.”

      “Applications for the import certificate are to be submitted through the Kenya TradeNet Agency Trade Facilitation Platform.”

      “The import permit shall be valid for a maximum of ninety days and shall be for one consignment only.”

      “The import permit shall accompany the animal during importation.”

      “This import permit shall be valid for a maximum of ninety days and shall only be for one consignment.”

      “The import permit is processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), and is issued per consignment. The permit is valid for a period of ninety (90) days.”

      “Vaccination certificate (copy)”

      “KES 0 - KES 500 per animal”

      “Import permits for all pets (dogs, cats, etc.) issued at embassies each”

      “The pet licence is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and takes two working days to issue the licence upon submission of the documents.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. PaperworkThe Netherlands and Kenya

      International veterinary certificate, dated at most 48 hours before departure

      Your pet travels with an international veterinary certificate, dated no more than 48 hours before it boards, stating that it showed no sign of rabies (on the day of shipment and in the 48 hours before) and is clinically free of other contagious and infectious diseases and of internal and external parasites. It also states the microchip number, the rabies vaccination and the blood test.

      Details and the official words

      48 hours is in all the Directorate's own texts (2016 conditions, permits of 2017 and 2020). Kenya's Animal Diseases Rules (1968) allow 10 days, some embassy pages and the UK's 1998 certificate 5 days, and the US certificate is valid for 30 days; the plan follows the Directorate's newest texts.

      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.

      “No canine or feline animal shall be imported into Kenya from any country unless accompanied by an international veterinary certificate attesting that the animal:”

      “Showed no clinical signs of rabies on the day of shipment;”

      “Showed no clinical signs of rabies within 48 hours of shipment;”

      “Is clinically free of symptoms of any other contagious and infectious disease and internal and external parasites, the certificate being dated not more than 48 hours before embarkation;”

      “Is clinically free of symptoms of any other contagious and infectious disease and internal and external parasites, the certificate being dated not more than 48 hours before embarkation;”

      “which must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate from the country of origin to ascertain that the animals are healthy and disease free.”

      “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.”

    2. 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.”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. TransportEntering Kenya

      Fly as manifest cargo (in the cabin only if the airline agrees)

      Your pet should travel to Kenya as manifest cargo in the aircraft's freight compartment. Travel in the passenger cabin is up to the airline, and your pet must then still pass through the animal holding station at the airport for inspection. Book this with your airline.

      Details and the official words

      The Directorate's 2016 conditions left cabin travel to the veterinary authority, to be told 12 hours before arrival; its 2020 permit leaves it to the airline. If your pet flies in the cabin, telling the Directorate's office at Nairobi airport (dvsjkia@kilimo.go.ke) ahead does no harm (our advice, not an official rule).

      “Animals entering Kenya should travel as Manifest Cargo and use the Freight Compartment of the aircraft. Arrangements to have the animal travel in the passenger cabin shall be at the discretion of the airline provided that it passes through the animal holding station for inspection.”

    2. TransportEntering Kenya

      Certificate from the captain that your pet stayed on board and apart

      Your pet needs a certificate signed by the captain of the aircraft (or ship, or the driver) stating that it didn't leave the craft between boarding and arrival in Kenya and was kept apart from other animals throughout the journey. Ask your airline's cargo office to provide it.

      Details and the official words

      “were not during the journey either in contact with an animal which would be likely to spread disease or exposed to any other infection and, in the case of canine animals or feline animals, the inspecting officer shall require a certificate to this effect signed by the officer in charge of the aircraft, vessel or any other carriage.”

      “The animal shall be accompanied by a certificate from the captain of the ship or aircraft or driver of a vessel in which the animal traveled to Kenya certifying that the animal has not left the vessel between the place of embarkation and the place of entry into Kenya, and has been isolated from all other canine and feline animals throughout the journey.”

Good to know

  • A pet that has lived since birth, or for the 6 months before shipment, in a rabies-free country (as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health) doesn't need the microchip, rabies vaccination and blood test steps below. Kenya's Animal Diseases Rules also let the Director of Veterinary Services waive or change the vaccination requirement for pets from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Australia and New Zealand. Kenya doesn't publish a list of rabies-free countries, so the plan keeps the steps: check your permit, or ask the Directorate of Veterinary Services.
  • A pet that isn't vaccinated against rabies, or doesn't meet the microchip, vaccination and blood test conditions, may be placed in a quarantine station in Kenya for up to 6 months, at the owner's cost.
  • Some Kenyan embassy pages, and the UK's certificate for Kenya (1998), still describe older rules: a vet's certificate signed up to 5 days before departure, no blood test, and, for a pet vaccinated less than 6 months before departure, a government vet's certificate that there has been no rabies nearby. The plan follows the conditions printed on the Directorate of Veterinary Services' permits (2017 and 2020), its newest texts: blood test, first vaccination at least 6 months before shipment, certificate dated at most 48 hours before boarding. Your permit lists the conditions that apply: follow it.
  • Arriving by land (or anywhere other than Nairobi by air or Mombasa by sea)? Report your pet to the nearest veterinary office within 3 days of arrival.
  • By sea, animals may enter Kenya only through the ports of Mombasa or Lamu; by air, only through the airports of Mombasa, Nairobi or Kisumu.
  • 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

Government fees in total: 65.87 EUR (each currency separately)

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

  • Microchipyour vet · for: microchip (or other permanent identification)45.50–55 EUR

    the Netherlands: 4 published prices

  • Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment, rabies vaccination within the last year55–87.05 EUR

    the Netherlands: 4 published prices

  • Rabies blood test: the lab’s own pricean approved laboratory; your vet adds the blood draw and the courier · for: rabies blood test, 3 to 24 months before shipmentPrices from 8 countries

    Austria: 1 published price

    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

    Japan: 1 published price

    Poland: 1 published price

    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

    South Africa: 1 published price

  • Health certificate (vet’s fee)your vet · for: international veterinary certificate, dated at most 48 hours before departure105 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

Do before your pet leaves the Netherlands

  • Microchip
  • Rabies vaccination

Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.

The trip back asks for 7 steps: microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody blood test (titer) and EU animal health certificate and more.

Every step from Kenya to the Netherlands

Nearby routes

Other routes

Where this comes from

Official sources

Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-13.

Entering KenyaLeaving the NetherlandsReport a mistakeGet rule-change alerts

Questions owners ask

Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from the Netherlands to Kenya?

Yes: Your pet needs a rabies antibody test (as set out in the World Organisation for Animal Health manual) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, taken between 24 months and 3 months before shipment.

Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Kenya?

Yes: Apply online on KenTrade's Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) for the Directorate of Veterinary Services' import permit for dogs and cats (VS01), with a copy of your pet's vaccination certificate, and pay the processing fee (up to KES 500 per animal).

Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Kenya?

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 Kenya?

With nothing done yet, start at least about 6 months ahead. The main steps: microchip (or other permanent identification), rabies vaccination: first one at 3 months or older, at least 6 months before shipment and rabies vaccination within the last year and 4 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

Turn this into dates for your pet

Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.

Make a dated plan