IT NL

Pet Transport from Italy to the Netherlands

Low complexity 4-6 weeks typical Get a quote →

Italy and the Netherlands are both EU member states. That means the regulatory side of this move is simple: EU Pet Passport, current rabies vaccination, ISO microchip. No quarantine, no permits, no embassy visits.

KLM is the natural airline choice for this route with direct Rome-Amsterdam and Milan-Amsterdam services. Transavia and ITA Airways add further options.

Four to six weeks of preparation is typically enough, assuming your pet’s passport is already in order.

Documents Required for This Route

DocumentNotes
Health certificateEU Pet Passport only. NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) enforces EU Regulation 2019/2035.
Microchip recordRequired (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in EU Pet Passport.
Rabies vaccination recordRequired and current. Recorded in EU Pet Passport.
Rabies titre testNot required for intra-EU travel.
Import permitNot required.
Export permit (Italy){'required': False}
Export health certificateEU Pet Passport covers intra-EU movement. Issued by an Italian Ministry of Health authorised veterinarian.

How the Process Works

Check microchip ISO compliance and EU Pet Passport records First check. Microchip must predate vaccination records. Responsible: Your veterinarian
Confirm rabies vaccination is current Check expiry date in passport. If lapsed, revaccinate and wait 21 days. Responsible: Your veterinarian
EU Pet Passport review and update if needed 3-4 weeks before travel. Responsible: Authorised veterinarian (Italian Ministry of Health)
Book airline and register cabin pet As early as possible. KLM allows cabin pet registration at booking. Responsible: You
IATA-compliant carrier: check dimensions for chosen airline Before travel. Each airline has slightly different maximum dimensions. Responsible: You

Netherlands: Entry Requirements for Pets

RequirementDetail
MicrochipRequired (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in EU Pet Passport.
Rabies vaccinationRequired and current. Recorded in EU Pet Passport.
Rabies titre testNot required for intra-EU travel.
QuarantineNo quarantine for EU to EU movement.
Import permitNot required.
Health certificateEU Pet Passport only. NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) enforces EU Regulation 2019/2035.

Leaving Italy: Export Requirements

RequirementDetail
Export permit{'required': False}
Health certificateEU Pet Passport covers intra-EU movement. Issued by an Italian Ministry of Health authorised veterinarian.

What This Route Typically Costs

#Cost factor
1Airline cabin pet fee (typically 35-65 EUR for European routes)
2Soft-sided IATA-compliant carrier
3Vet fee if passport update needed

Critical Points — Read Before You Book

Budget carriers Ryanair and easyJet operate Italy-Netherlands but accept no pets.
KLM cabin pet dimensions: carrier must fit under the seat. Check current KLM specifications.
Source: EU Regulation 2019/2035; NVWA Netherlands (nvwa.nl).

Netherlands requirements for EU companion animals

The NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) enforces EU Regulation 2019/2035 at Dutch borders. For EU-origin pets, the requirements are: valid ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination in an EU Pet Passport, and the passport must have been issued by an EU-authorised veterinarian.

Schiphol Airport has an animal health checkpoint. Have the passport accessible. For routine EU arrivals it is a brief check, not a lengthy inspection.

Keeping your Italian EU Pet Passport compliant

In Italy, EU Pet Passports are issued by vets authorised under the Italian Ministry of Health. Your pet’s passport remains valid for life, but the rabies vaccination records within it need to be kept current.

The rule: vaccination valid from 21 days after first dose, annual boosters maintain continuous validity. If you miss a booster, the validity lapses and the 21-day wait starts again after revaccination.

Airlines on the Italy to Netherlands route

KLM is the leading option. It flies direct from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa to Amsterdam Schiphol, and its cabin pet process is well-established. Register the pet at the time of booking.

Transavia (owned by Air France-KLM) also covers some Italy-Netherlands routes and accepts cabin pets. ITA Airways can connect to Amsterdam via Rome.

Ryanair and easyJet both fly this corridor at low fares but accept no pets. Do not book with them and expect to resolve the pet issue at the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

An EU Pet Passport showing a current rabies vaccination and a valid ISO microchip is all you need. No separate health certificate or import permit is required for EU-to-EU movement.

Yes. KLM accepts pets in cabin on European routes where the pet plus carrier weighs under 8kg. Register the pet when you book your ticket. Do not wait until check-in.

No. For intra-EU movement with a valid EU Pet Passport, there is no quarantine requirement in the Netherlands.

The passport itself does not expire, but the rabies vaccination recorded in it does. Check the vaccination expiry date. If it is still current, the passport is valid. If not, revaccinate and wait 21 days.

Other Routes to Consider

Start your journey

Get Your Free Quote

Enter your pet's details and route

Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.

No obligation. Your details are kept private and never shared.

Chat with us