Pets in the Netherlands

People in the Netherlands are big fans of animal companions: almost half of all Dutch households had at least one pet in 2023, according to the Dutch Pet Association (NVG). However, owning a pet in the Netherlands does come with rules and responsibilities. Here’s what you need to know, whether you are bringing your pet to the Netherlands, or looking to buy a dog, cat or other animal. 

How to bring your pet to the Netherlands

If you are planning to bring your pet with you to the Netherlands, it’s worth planning well in advance, as the entire process can take up to five months. 

Note that it is not possible to bring more than five pets to the Netherlands; otherwise, you will need to follow the rules for the commercial movement of animals. 

Bringing pets to the Netherlands from inside the EU

Owners of cats, dogs and ferrets that are relocating to the Netherlands from inside the EU must adhere to the following requirements:

• Your pet must be at least 15 weeks old
• Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies at 12 weeks of age
• After your pet has been vaccinated against rabies, you must wait 21 days before bringing it to the Netherlands
• Your pet must be microchipped
• Your pet needs an EU pet passport, issued by a veterinarian, containing details of the pet and owner, a confirmation of rabies vaccination and details of their microchip

Extra requirements for pets from outside the EU

If you are bringing your pet to the Netherlands from outside the EU, you will face some additional requirements. The exact process depends on whether your country is considered low or high risk for rabies. 

You can find a list of low-risk countries on the EU website. If your country is not listed, it is considered high risk. 

If you are coming from a low-risk country

If you are travelling to the Netherlands from a low-risk country, you will need to meet all the requirements above. You will also need to provide:

• A health certificate issued by an official veterinarian of the authority
• An owner's declaration form, completed by you as the owner and/or the person travelling with the pet 

Additional rules apply if you are travelling from Australia or Malaysia. See the NVA website for more details.

If you are coming from a high-risk country

If you are travelling to the Netherlands from a high-risk country, you will face an additional requirement, on top of all the requirements already listed above. You must also provide a blood test providing efficacy of rabies vaccination, taken at least 30 days after immunisation and three months before travel.  

Ban on importing puppies and kittens

Puppies and kittens may only be brought to the Netherlands if they have been vaccinated against rabies. Because the earliest time this vaccine can be administered is at 12 weeks of age, and it takes an additional 21 days to develop effective immunity, puppies and kittens may only enter the Netherlands at 15 weeks of age at the earliest.

Bringing other types of pets to the Netherlands

If you wish to bring another type of pet to the Netherlands, such as a rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, ornamental fish, reptile or similar, you will need to provide a general health certificate from a veterinarian. The certificate must be no more than 10 days old, and written in English, Dutch, German or French. 

You will also need a written declaration stating that the pet is a companion animal and the journey is non-commercial. 

Arriving in the Netherlands

When you arrive in the Netherlands with your pet, you should report to customs (goods to declare). Customs will verify that your pet has a microchip (if applicable) and check the other documents. 

If you are staying for more than three months, you are obliged to register your dog. You can find out more about this process below. 

Dogs in the Netherlands

Generally speaking, the Netherlands is a dog-friendly country. According to the Dutch Pet Association, there are approximately 1,8 million dogs living in the Netherlands, and 18 percent of all households have a dog. This makes dogs the second-most-popular pet in the Netherlands, after cats. 

Buying a dog in the Netherlands

Demand for dogs, especially puppies, is high in the Netherlands, particularly since the coronavirus pandemic. This means that buying a dog, in many cases, involves longer wait times and higher prices than before.

If you are looking to get a dog in the Netherlands, you have two options: 

• Buying a puppy from a breeder or private individual 
• Adopting a puppy or dog from a shelter or a private individual 

Buying a dog from a breeder

If you buy from a breeder (fokker), make sure to go through the breed club (rasvereiniging) affiliated with the Dutch Kennel Club (Raad van Beheer). A responsible breeder will charge a higher price, but they follow the correct protocols and conduct health testing, and you can be sure that the puppy has been given the best start in life. 

You might also find private individuals selling puppies - for instance, if their dog became pregnant by accident. These kinds of arrangements are legal, but you should also be cautious. Unfortunately, there is a thriving black market for dogs in the Netherlands, and many unscrupulous sellers bring young dogs from “puppy farms” from abroad. 

These puppies are often separated from their mothers too early, kept in awful conditions, and go on to have a range of behavioural and health problems. Some warning signs you should look out for include:

• If the price is too good to be true. You should compare prices on other platforms to see what the “going rate” for that breed is. 
• If the seller won’t let you view the puppy together with its mother before you buy it.
• If the seller can’t provide you with detailed information about the puppy’s parents. 
• If the seller tries to sell you a puppy that is very young (puppies legally have to remain with their mother until they are seven weeks old in the Netherlands).
• If the seller provides incorrect contact details. Make sure you speak to them on the phone before sending any money.
• If the seller provides incorrect information about the animals, for instance, about their age, breed or gender, or provides different information each time you ask the same question. 

Adopting a dog in the Netherlands

There are hundreds of thousands of abandoned pets in animal shelters across the Netherlands. According to estimates, each year shelters take in around 25.000 stray, abandoned and unwanted dogs, cats and other animals. Many of them are reunited with their owners, while others are adopted by new owners.

If you are looking to get a dog in the Netherlands, you could consider getting a rescue dog. You should make enquiries with an animal shelter (dierenasiel) in your area. They rescue animals and match them with people looking for pets. 

The process varies from shelter to shelter, but generally you’ll be asked to fill out an application form and then undergo a screening process, including an interview and a home visit. You will then be asked to come and meet the dog (several times, if necessary) before the adoption can be finalised. Most rescue centres charge an adoption fee, but this will be much less than you would pay for a puppy. 

Most popular dog breeds in the Netherlands

From the Dutch Shepherd to the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, some famous dog breeds originate in the Netherlands. But these breeds aren’t necessarily a favourite among local residents. In fact, the country’s top dog breed actually hails from Scotland: the gentle and affectionate Golden Retriever makes up 10% of all dogs!

As of 2024, the most popular dog breeds in the Netherlands, according to the TGM Global Pet Care Survey:

• Golden Retriever
• Chihuahua
• Labrador Retriever
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Bulldog
• German Shepherd
• Boerboel
• Beagle
• American Staffordshire Terrier

Banned dog breeds in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has no laws on banned dog breeds. 

In 2008, the Dutch government repealed a 1993 law that had banned Pit Bull Terriers and Rottweilers. 

Instead, any dogs found to show acts of aggression must nowadays undergo a behaviour test and behaviour-correcting training, if necessary. Any dogs that fail this process may be seized and euthanised. 

Owning a dog in the Netherlands: Rules & laws

Dog ownership brings a lot of joy, but in the Netherlands, it also comes with its own set of rules and responsibilities. As a dog owner in the Netherlands, you should make yourself aware of the rules on a national and local level regarding: 

• Microchipping
• Dog registration
• Dog taxes
• Leashes

Microchipping & dog registration in the Netherlands

All dogs in the Netherlands need to be microchipped and registered. Microchipping involves inserting a small chip under the dog’s skin, which can be scanned and read to reveal the owner’s information. You can register your dog’s microchip in one of the portals in the Netherlands.

You should never buy a dog that doesn’t have a microchip. When you buy or adopt a dog, the previous owner (or breeder) should provide you with the microchip details. You can then register as the dog’s new owner online via one of the above portals. 

Note that your dog will need a microchip to travel to the Netherlands and within the EU. 

If you are bringing a dog with you to the Netherlands, you need to register it within two weeks of arrival. Since this will be the dog's first registration in the Netherlands, you must first request a unique business number (Uniek Bedrijfsnummer, or UBN). You will need a DigiD to do this. You should then take your dog to a vet, who can register the dog under your UBN.  

Dog taxes in the Netherlands

In the past, many municipalities in the Netherlands charged a dog tax and used the revenue to combat rabies and limit the nuisance caused by stray dogs. With rabies and strays less of a problem nowadays, however, many municipalities have abolished dog taxes.

As of 2026, 102 out of 342 municipalities charge dog taxes. Since 2010, the proportion has dropped from 72% to 30%. More are expected to abolish the tax in the coming years. 

The most expensive dog tax in the Netherlands is charged in Katwijk, where it amounts to €142,18 per dog per year. The cheapest is in Simpelveld, at just €21,96 per dog per year. You can see a full breakdown per municipality. 

If you own a dog in a municipality that charges dog taxes, you should notify the local authorities to be issued an invoice. 

Leash rules

Although rules may vary from municipality to municipality, in general, the following applies throughout the Netherlands:

• Dogs must always be kept on a leash in built-up areas
• Dogs can go off-leash in designated areas, as marked by a sign
• Dogs can go off-leash in rural areas, with the exception of forests and nature reserves 
• Assistance dogs are exempt from the leash requirement

Note that electric shock collars have been banned in the Netherlands since 2020. Anyone using one faces a fine of up to €20.000 or prison time. 

Cats in the Netherlands

Cats are the most popular type of pet in the Netherlands. The country was home to 3 million of them in 2023, putting at least one cat in 23% of all households, according to the Dutch Pet Association. 

In general, there are fewer requirements for cat owners in the Netherlands, but there are still a few things you should be aware of. 

Buying a cat in the Netherlands

If you want to get a cat in the Netherlands, you have the choice between buying a kitten from a breeder and adopting from a shelter. 

If you choose a breeder, make sure they are reputable. In the Netherlands, all breeders must be registered and have a unique business number. There are also rules about how many litters a cat can have each year that breeders must follow. Kittens should not be separated from their mothers until they are seven weeks old. 

Your local dierenasiel will also have cats available to adopt. You’ll have to go through an adoption process, including a home check, and you will be asked to pay a small adoption fee. 

Rules & regulations for cat owners in the Netherlands

Cats are subject to less stringent rules than dogs: for instance, no taxes are payable. However, there are some things you should know: 

• All cats must be microchipped and registered in the Netherlands
• As of 2026, some cat breeds with harmful traits are banned, including folded ears and hairless cats 
• Cats must be vaccinated against feline distemper and cat flu

A debate is currently raging in the Netherlands over whether cats should be allowed to roam freely outside, due to concerns about their impact on local bird populations. As of 2025, proposed measures such as mandatory indoor living or collar bells have been dismissed by regional courts. 

Pet insurance

While health insurance is mandatory for all humans in the Netherlands, pet insurance is not required for animals. However, it’s worth considering, as vet bills can be expensive if your pet becomes ill or has an accident. 

Some recommended providers include: 

• PetSecur
• OHRA
• inshared

Pets and rental properties

If you are renting in the Netherlands, you may not always be allowed to keep a pet in your rental property. You need your landlord’s permission, and they are entitled to refuse. 

Even if your rental contract doesn’t mention pets specifically, it’s a good idea to inform your landlord or ask for their permission before getting a pet. 

Veterinarians in the Netherlands

Most major cities in the Netherlands have several veterinary surgeries (dierenklinieken) for you to choose from. Most vets (dierenartsen) will be able to speak at least basic English, and many practices offer services in English. 

If you are bringing your pet to the Netherlands from abroad, you’ll need to register them at the local vet within 14 days of arrival. In any case, it’s a good idea to get them registered as soon as possible. 

Note that vets in the Netherlands are allowed to set their own prices. 

Travelling with your pet within the Netherlands & Europe

Pets are allowed on most forms of public transport in the Netherlands. Small pets in a bag, basket or on your lap, and identified assistance dogs travel free of charge on NS. 

Larger dogs will need a special Day Ticket Dog (in addition to your own ticket or a validated OV-chipkaart). Day Ticket Dogs are valid on the stated date until 4am the next day. 

When travelling with your pet within the Netherlands or Europe, it is a good idea to carry your pet's passport with you.