These are the rules if you want to bring pets to the Netherlands
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Do you want to bring your pet to the Netherlands? Then there are a few rules you need to follow. There are also organisations that can help you.
What to do with a pet on arrival in the Netherlands
Since 15 June 2023, you must comply with European Union (EU) rules if you want to bring your pet to the Netherlands. These rules are designed to prevent the disease rabies.
Are you travelling by plane to the Netherlands and taking your pet with you? Then you must report your pet to customs in the Netherlands. Are you travelling by car and taking your pet with you? Then you must have your pet checked in the first EU country you enter.
For example: are you travelling from Ukraine via Poland to the Netherlands? Then you must have your pet checked in Poland. For this, report to customs in Poland.
Make an appointment at the veterinarian's office
Are you already in the Netherlands, but your pet does not yet meet EU requirements? Then make an appointment at the vet as soon as possible to have your pet checked. The vet will tell you what you need to do to meet the EU requirements. For example, you may need to have your pet vaccinated.
Your pet may not always be taken to a reception centre
You can take your pet to a municipal reception location. At the location you will discuss what options are available for you and your pet's care. The municipal reception centre is very full. Therefore, there is little chance that you and your pets can be taken care of. What is possible varies by municipality.
You can get insurance for your pet
Your pet sometimes needs care, for example if it is sick or has had an accident. In the Netherlands, animal care is good, and more and more treatments are available. But these treatments can be expensive. Especially new treatments, such as for cancer, cost a lot of money.
In order to make sure you can give your pet the proper care, you can purchase pet insurance. You then pay an amount to the insurer each month. With pet insurance you get a portion of the cost of care back. As a result, you will get less high vet bills when your pet needs care.
Reliable insurers include Petplan and Ohra. They insure many different types of treatments.
The costs of pet insurance depends on several things:
The age of your pet when you take out the insurance policy
Your pet's breed and weight
The insurer you choose
In general, the younger your pet is when you buy the insurance, the cheaper the insurance will be.