Last updated: 24 September 2026
For a lot of South African families, the dog or cat is not up for discussion. If you are moving to the Netherlands, they are coming too. The good news is that you absolutely can bring your pets from South Africa to the Netherlands. The less good news is that it takes planning, paperwork and at least four months of lead time, because South Africa counts as a high risk rabies country under EU rules.
This guide walks you through the rules step by step, from the microchip and rabies titre test to flights, costs and what to do once your pet has landed at Schiphol.
Short answer: To bring a dog or cat from South Africa to the Netherlands, your pet needs an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody (titre) blood test at an EU approved lab at least 30 days after the vaccination with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, and then a wait of at least 3 months after the blood sample before it can travel. It also needs an EU animal health certificate endorsed by a South African state vet and must arrive through an approved entry point such as Schiphol. Start at least 4 to 6 months before your move.
Jump to: Why it takes so long | The requirements | Step by step timeline | Flying your pet | Costs | After arrival | FAQ
Why it takes so long
The EU keeps a list of third countries with a low rabies risk, and pets from those countries have an easier time. South Africa is not on that list, so it is treated as an unlisted, high risk rabies country. That means a standard rabies vaccination is not enough. Your pet has to prove, with a blood test, that the vaccine actually worked, and then wait three months before travelling. There is no way to speed this up, so if there is one thing to take away from this article, it is this: start as soon as you know you are moving.
The requirements for dogs and cats from South Africa
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 compatible microchip, implanted before (or on the same day as) the rabies vaccination |
| Rabies vaccination | Given at least 12 weeks of age, after the microchip. Must be valid on the day of travel |
| Rabies titre test | Blood sample taken at least 30 days after vaccination, tested at an EU approved laboratory. Result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml |
| Waiting period | At least 3 months (90 days) from the date the blood sample was taken before entering the EU |
| EU animal health certificate | Completed by your vet and endorsed by a South African state vet, within 10 days before arrival in the EU |
| Point of entry | Must enter through a designated travellers’ point of entry, such as Amsterdam Schiphol |
| Owner travel | The owner, or an authorised person, must travel within 5 days of the pet |
| Number of pets | Maximum 5 pets for non commercial movement |
| Tapeworm treatment | Not required for the Netherlands (only for a few countries such as Ireland, Finland, Malta and Norway) |
Because of the vaccination, blood test and waiting period, puppies and kittens from South Africa have to be at least about 7 months old before they can travel to the Netherlands.
Always check the latest requirements on the NVWA website before you start. The NVWA is the Dutch authority that checks pets arriving from outside the EU, and if the paperwork is wrong, your pet can be sent back, placed in quarantine at your cost or, in the worst case, put down.
Step by step timeline
- 6 months or more before the move: Visit your vet. Check that your pet has an ISO microchip that can be read, and that the chip number is on all records. If the chip was implanted after the last rabies vaccine, your pet will need to be vaccinated again.
- Day 0: Rabies vaccination (after the microchip).
- At least 30 days later: Your vet takes a blood sample and sends it to an EU approved laboratory for the rabies antibody titre test. Your vet will know which labs qualify. Keep the lab report, because it must be attached to the health certificate.
- Wait at least 3 months from the date of the blood sample. Keep the rabies vaccination up to date during this time. If a booster lapses, you may have to start again.
- 1 to 2 months before the move: Book the flight or a pet relocation company. Buy an IATA approved crate and start crate training.
- Within 10 days before arrival: Your vet completes the EU animal health certificate and a state vet endorses it. In South Africa, state vet offices usually need an appointment booked in advance.
- Travel day: Your pet arrives at Schiphol, where the paperwork and microchip are checked.
Keep copies of everything: vaccination records, the titre test report, the endorsed health certificate and the chip number. Bring the originals with you or make sure they travel with the pet.
Flying your pet from South Africa to the Netherlands
There are direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Amsterdam, which makes the trip a lot easier on your pet than a connection through another hub. Small pets can sometimes fly in the cabin on European routes, but on long haul flights from South Africa most pets travel in the hold or as air cargo. Many South African families use a pet relocation company that handles the paperwork, the state vet appointment, the booking and the collection at the other end.
Things to check with the airline or relocator:
- Whether your pet can fly as checked baggage with you, or has to travel as cargo.
- Crate size rules. Your pet must be able to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.
- Restrictions on snub nosed (brachycephalic) breeds, such as bulldogs, pugs, boxers and Persian cats. Many airlines do not accept them in the hold because of breathing risks.
- Temperature and seasonal restrictions, especially in the South African summer.
- What happens at Schiphol on arrival, and whether your pet will need to go through the animal handling centre there.
How much does it cost to bring a pet from South Africa?
Costs vary a lot depending on the size of your pet, the route and whether you use a relocation company. As a rough guide, budget for:
- Vet visits, microchip and rabies vaccination
- The rabies titre test, including sending the sample to the lab
- The EU health certificate and state vet endorsement
- An IATA approved crate, which for a large dog is a serious cost on its own
- Airline or cargo fees, usually the biggest part of the bill
- A pet relocation company, if you use one
With a relocation company, the total for one pet often runs into several thousand euros, with large dogs at the top end. Get at least two or three quotes, and ask exactly what is included. For a full picture of what the move will cost, see our guide to the cost of living in the Netherlands vs South Africa.
After your pet arrives in the Netherlands
Register your dog
Dogs brought into the Netherlands must be registered in the Dutch dog database within two weeks of arrival. Your Dutch vet can do this for you. The Netherlands also has chip and registration rules for cats, so ask your vet to register your cat too.
Find a vet and consider pet insurance
Register with a local vet (dierenarts) soon after arrival. Vet bills in the Netherlands can be high, so many owners take out pet insurance (huisdierenverzekering). Several Dutch insurers offer it, and prices depend on the age and breed of your pet.
Dog tax
Some Dutch municipalities charge an annual dog tax (hondenbelasting) per dog, and others have scrapped it. You register with your municipality, and the amount depends on where you live. Check your gemeente’s website after you have registered and received your BSN.
Housing with pets
Not every landlord allows pets, and this can make house hunting harder, especially with a big dog. Always check the rental contract for a pet clause before you sign. Our guide to renting in the Netherlands as a South African has more tips on the rental market.
Life with a dog in the Netherlands
- Dogs are welcome in many cafés, shops and on public transport, though large dogs on trains need a ticket.
- Most beaches, including in Zandvoort, have seasonal rules for dogs. In summer, dogs are often only allowed on certain stretches or at certain times, while in the off season they can usually run free. Check the local rules before you go.
- Always pick up after your dog. You will be fined if you do not.
- Dutch winters are wet and cold, which is a big change for a South African dog. A good dog coat and a towel by the door help a lot. Our first Dutch winter guide covers the human side.
- Fireworks on New Year’s Eve can be very stressful for pets. Plan for a quiet night indoors.
Frequently asked questions
Do pets from South Africa have to go into quarantine in the Netherlands?
No, not if all the requirements are met. Pets that arrive with the correct microchip, vaccination, titre test, waiting period and endorsed health certificate can go home with you. Quarantine only applies when something is wrong with the paperwork.
How long before the move should I start?
At least 4 to 6 months. The rabies vaccination, the 30 day wait for the blood test and the 3 month waiting period after the test cannot be shortened.
Is South Africa a listed country for EU pet travel?
No. South Africa is not on the EU list of low risk rabies countries, which is why a rabies titre test and a 3 month waiting period are required.
Does my dog need a tapeworm treatment for the Netherlands?
No. Tapeworm treatment is only required for dogs travelling to a small number of countries, such as Ireland, Finland, Malta and Norway.
Can I bring my snub nosed dog or cat?
The Netherlands allows them to enter, but many airlines do not fly brachycephalic breeds in the hold. Check with the airline or a relocation company very early in the planning.
Bringing your pets is just one piece of the move. For the rest, start with our guides to visa options for South Africans, schools in the Netherlands for South African families and Dutch health insurance.
This article is general information, not veterinary or legal advice. Rules can change, so always confirm the current requirements with the NVWA, your vet and your airline before you book anything.
Sources: NVWA: travelling from third countries with your cat or dog, NetherlandsWorldwide: taking a pet to the Netherlands, Rijksoverheid: registering and chipping dogs, Western Cape Department of Agriculture: exporting pets.
