Pet Transport from India to Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the better-connected European destinations for expats relocating from India. KLM operates direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Amsterdam Schiphol, which simplifies the logistics considerably compared to routes that require multiple connections. The entry rules are EU-standard: microchip, current rabies vaccination (21-day wait before travel), and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival.

There is no quarantine on arrival. Once your paperwork is correct, your pet clears Dutch border control at Schiphol and is with you. The total preparation timeline is 6-8 weeks, mostly spent on the vaccination wait and organising the documentation.

Step-by-Step Process

Netherlands Import Requirements

What Netherlands requires for pets entering the country.

Exporting from India

What you need from India before your pet can leave.

Cost Factors

Costs vary depending on pet size, transport method, and whether you use a transport agent.

• Airline cargo or cabin fee (KLM cabin: included in ticket conditions; cargo: charged by weight and crate size)
• IATA-compliant travel crate
• Veterinary fees: microchipping, vaccination, health certificate
• AQCS export inspection fee (India)
• Pet transport agent fee if used

Important Warnings

Netherlands entry requirements for pets from India

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) handles pet border checks at Schiphol Airport. The officer verifies the microchip, the health certificate, and the vaccination date. If the certificate is older than 10 days or the vaccination was given fewer than 21 days before travel, the pet cannot enter.

The health certificate must be signed by a government-authorised official veterinarian in India. This is important: a private clinic that is not officially designated by the government cannot issue this certificate. Ask your vet upfront whether they hold official vet status.

No import permit is required. The correctly issued health certificate is the key document. Bring the original, not a copy.

India AQCS export process

All pets leaving India go through AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services). The nearest AQCS station to you depends on which city you are flying from. Delhi (Indira Gandhi International), Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad all have AQCS facilities at or near the international airport.

Book an appointment 2-3 days before your flight. Bring the original vaccination booklet, microchip records, and a copy of your travel itinerary. The AQCS vet checks the animal in person and issues the export health certificate the same day.

This is a separate document from the EU entry health certificate. Both are needed. The AQCS certificate covers Indian export requirements; the official health certificate covers Dutch entry requirements.

Flying with your pet: KLM and other options

KLM is the natural first choice for this route because of its direct Delhi and Mumbai to Amsterdam Schiphol service. Small pets can travel in the cabin on KLM if they are under 8kg (including carrier). Larger pets travel as cargo via KLM Cargo, which has good live-animal handling facilities at Schiphol.

If you are connecting via another hub, Emirates via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha are both capable cargo carriers. Lufthansa via Frankfurt is another reliable option. Check all cargo space availability well in advance – especially in summer months when live animal cargo capacity fills quickly.

For cabin travel, confirm with KLM directly that the India-Amsterdam route permits cabin pets, as policy can vary by aircraft type.