Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from the Netherlands → the United Kingdom
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
How early to start
3 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
3 weeks
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
Which rules apply to you
The Netherlands is in the group “EU country” in Bringing a dog, cat or ferret into Great Britain’s published list.See every group
Headlines for the United Kingdom
- Rabies blood test for some origins
- Tapeworm treatment for some pets
What your dog needs
Dogs
Route
Use an approved travel route
Book an airline, ferry or rail route that is approved for pet travel into Great Britain.
Details and the official words
“Check your route is approved for pet travel.”
Identification
Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped on or before the day of its rabies vaccination. An ISO 11784/11785 chip can be read at the border; otherwise bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: The rabies vaccination doesn't count and must be given again.
“You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Vaccinate against rabies (pet at least 12 weeks old). After a first (primary) vaccination you must wait at least 21 full days before arriving; no wait after a booster if the cover never lapsed.
Details and the official words
Some vaccines take longer to work (e.g. 30 days) — your vet will tell you.
“Your vet needs proof that your pet’s at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them.”
“You will have to wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or the last of the first course of rabies vaccinations) is given.”
Paperwork
Pet passport or animal health certificate
Travel with a pet passport issued in an EU country (or a GB-issued AHC from the last 6 months, or a Great Britain pet health certificate).
Details and the official words
“If you’re travelling from an EU country your pet must have one of the following documents”
Treatment
Tapeworm treatment (dogs)
A vet must treat your dog for tapeworm (praziquantel) and record it. It must be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you arrive.
Details and the official words
The window is in hours: check the treatment time against your arrival time. If your journey is delayed past 120 hours, your dog needs a new treatment.
If this is missed: Your dog can be refused entry or put into quarantine.
“no less than 24 hours before you enter Great Britain”
“You do not need to treat your dog for tapeworm if you’re coming directly to Great Britain from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway.”
Paperwork
Non-commercial declaration
Sign a declaration that you won't sell or transfer ownership of your pet.
Details and the official words
“You also need to fill in a declaration if you’re not going to sell or transfer the ownership of your pet.”
On arrival
Checks on arrival
Your pet's microchip and documents are checked on arrival. Pets arriving from outside the EU must be taken through customs (an agent or the airline usually does this).
Details and the official words
If this is missed: Your pet could be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if you travelled by sea — at your expense.
“When you arrive in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland), your pet’s microchip and documents will be checked.”
Official stamp
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.”
Official stamp
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.
Details and the official words
“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.”
Good to know
- Some dog breeds are banned in Great Britain and can only enter with a valid Certificate of Exemption.
- By plane, pets must travel as cargo into Great Britain unless you fly a chartered private plane or travel with a recognised assistance dog.
- 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.
What your cat needs
Cats
Route
Use an approved travel route
Book an airline, ferry or rail route that is approved for pet travel into Great Britain.
Details and the official words
“Check your route is approved for pet travel.”
Identification
Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped on or before the day of its rabies vaccination. An ISO 11784/11785 chip can be read at the border; otherwise bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: The rabies vaccination doesn't count and must be given again.
“You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Vaccinate against rabies (pet at least 12 weeks old). After a first (primary) vaccination you must wait at least 21 full days before arriving; no wait after a booster if the cover never lapsed.
Details and the official words
Some vaccines take longer to work (e.g. 30 days) — your vet will tell you.
“Your vet needs proof that your pet’s at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them.”
“You will have to wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or the last of the first course of rabies vaccinations) is given.”
Paperwork
Pet passport or animal health certificate
Travel with a pet passport issued in an EU country (or a GB-issued AHC from the last 6 months, or a Great Britain pet health certificate).
Details and the official words
“If you’re travelling from an EU country your pet must have one of the following documents”
Paperwork
Non-commercial declaration
Sign a declaration that you won't sell or transfer ownership of your pet.
Details and the official words
“You also need to fill in a declaration if you’re not going to sell or transfer the ownership of your pet.”
On arrival
Checks on arrival
Your pet's microchip and documents are checked on arrival. Pets arriving from outside the EU must be taken through customs (an agent or the airline usually does this).
Details and the official words
If this is missed: Your pet could be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if you travelled by sea — at your expense.
“When you arrive in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland), your pet’s microchip and documents will be checked.”
Official stamp
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.”
Official stamp
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.
Details and the official words
“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.”
Good to know
- By plane, pets must travel as cargo into Great Britain unless you fly a chartered private plane or travel with a recognised assistance dog.
- 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.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog into the United Kingdom?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog be quarantined in the United Kingdom?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog need a microchip?
Yes: Your pet must be microchipped on or before the day of its rabies vaccination.