Belgium and the Netherlands are close neighbors, easy to reach from anywhere in Europe, and they share the same entry requirements as the rest of the European Union. Two ideal destinations for a weekend or a longer stay with your dog.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| 💉 ISO microchip | ISO 11784/11785 identification, implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination. |
| 🦠 Valid rabies vaccination | First vaccination from 12 weeks of age, then a 21-day waiting period. |
| 📕 European pet passport | Issued by a veterinarian (identification + vaccination). |
Traveling from outside the EU? See our guide to traveling to the EU with a dog for the documents that replace the European pet passport.
🧰 Our tools to plan your trip
Compare with other destinations using our dog entry requirements checker by country.
Once there: welcoming cities and bike culture
Brussels, Bruges, Amsterdam and Rotterdam have a reputation for being welcoming: plenty of parks, café terraces and dog-friendly accommodations. In the Netherlands, the bike culture lends itself to dog baskets and trailers. Public transportation generally accepts dogs (small dogs in a carrier, large dogs on a leash, sometimes with a reduced-fare ticket). Check access to North Sea beaches, which varies by season.
How to get there with your dog
By car and by train (Thalys/Eurostar, subject to conditions), Belgium and the Netherlands are very easy to reach from within Europe; by plane, compare airlines with our flight comparison tool.
➡️ Next step : your journey
✈️ Which airlines fly to Belgium? Brussels Airlines, KLM, Transavia, Aegean Airlines, Aeromexico, Air Algérie, Air Canada, Air Europa — compare them in our dog flight comparison tool.
Frequently asked questions
Are the entry requirements the same in Belgium and the Netherlands?
Can I take my dog on Dutch public transportation?
Sources
European Commission — Traveling with pets in the EU, accessed June 2026. Rules can change: double-check before departure.
