Pet Transport from the Netherlands to Italy
At a glance
- Typical timeline: 3-5 weeks from start to arrival
- Complexity: Low — plan well ahead
- Quarantine: No quarantine for EU to EU with valid documents.
People spend a lot of time worrying about paperwork when they decide to bring their dog or cat to Italy. The good news is that for the Netherlands-to-Italy journey, there is not much to worry about. Both countries share the EU pet travel framework, and the EU Pet Passport is the only document that matters.
What does catch people is the vaccination timing rule. The rabies vaccination in the passport has to be current on the day of travel, and 21 days must have passed since it was given. If the vaccination has lapsed, factor that wait time into your planning before you start looking at flight dates.
Beyond that, the main question is which airline to pick, because the ones with the best prices often have a no-pets policy.
The Journey, Step by Step
What Italy Requires
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in EU Pet Passport.
Rabies Vaccination
Required and current. Recorded in EU Pet Passport. Valid from 21 days after first dose.
Titre Test
Not required for intra-EU travel.
Quarantine
No quarantine for EU to EU with valid documents.
Import Permit
Not required.
Health Certificate
EU Pet Passport. Italy applies EU Regulation 2019/2035 for companion animals from EU member states.
What to Budget For
- Airline cabin pet fee (typically 30-60 EUR for European routes)
- Soft-sided or hard-sided IATA-compliant carrier
- Veterinary update fee if EU Pet Passport needs refreshing
Before You Leave Netherlands
Show export requirements from Netherlands
Export permit: {'required': False}
Health certificate: EU Pet Passport suffices for intra-EU movement. Issued by an NVWA-authorised veterinarian.
Things to Know Before You Book
What Italy requires from an EU pet
Italy follows EU Regulation 2019/2035 for companion animals arriving from other EU member states. For a pet coming from the Netherlands, the requirements are:
An ISO microchip (11784 or 11785) recorded in the passport. A current rabies vaccination that has been valid for at least 21 days. The EU Pet Passport itself, issued by an NVWA-authorised vet in the Netherlands.
Italian border officials or port-of-entry vets may ask to see the passport on arrival, particularly at major airports like Rome Fiumicino or Milan Malpensa. It is worth keeping it accessible rather than buried in the hold luggage.
Italy's specific rules on dogs in public
Once your dog arrives in Italy, a couple of local rules are worth knowing about, even though they are not border entry rules. Italy’s regions vary slightly, but nationally certain large dog breeds are required to wear a muzzle in public spaces and on public transport.
Italian law also requires dogs on leads in public areas. This is enforced quite consistently in cities. Your pet is not at risk at the border for any of this, but knowing the rules before you arrive makes settling in easier.
Amsterdam to Italy: which airline takes pets
KLM flies direct from Schiphol to Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa. It has one of the more straightforward cabin pet processes, accepting small pets (up to 8kg including carrier) in the passenger cabin. Register when booking.
Transavia (part of the KLM group) covers Amsterdam to a wide range of Italian airports, particularly in summer. Cabin pets are accepted on most routes.
ITA Airways, the Italian national carrier, also accepts cabin pets and allows a slightly higher weight limit (up to 10kg including carrier on some routes).
For larger dogs, KLM Cargo is the most direct option. It can be booked through the KLM Cargo desk and the hold is temperature-controlled and pressurised.
Frequently Asked Questions
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