NL
IT
Pet Transport from the Netherlands to Italy
3-5 wks
Preparation needed
See key facts
Quarantine on arrival
Low
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
Official rules on this page checked
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Before booking flights. Allow 21 days if revaccination is needed.
Check EU Pet Passport is current (microchip, vaccination valid)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
At ticket purchase. Cabin spaces are limited.
Book airline and register cabin or cargo pet
Responsible: You
3
Before travel.
Prepare IATA-compliant carrier (soft for cabin, hard for cargo)
Responsible: You
Which Italy rules depend on a pet coming from the Netherlands?
The EU sorts non-EU countries into groups, and the Netherlands falls in “EU countries”.
Pet dogs and cats moving between Member States travel on an EU pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian, with microchip and valid rabies vaccination (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, Article 11). Tapeworm treatment applies only for dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway. Official source
These rules apply to that group, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Health certificate: Article 6(1) of 2026/705: an old-model passport (Part 1 of Annex III to 577/2013) is deemed to comply with the new model passport where it was issued before 1 January 2028, for non-commercial movements into a Member State from another Member State. Article 6(2) gives the same rule for old Part 3 passports used for movements from third countries or territories listed in Annex I to 2026/636. Applies to dogs and cats moving with an EU pet passport.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705 of 20 March 2026 establishing model identification documents and model declarations, checked 1 October 2026 - Microchip: For non-commercial movements between EU countries, the microchip must contain the country code from 1 January 2028. The same FAQ lists exceptions: pets microchipped before 22 April 2026 under Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 need not be re-chipped, and pets from non-EU countries on a short stay identified under their own national rules do not need a country-code chip (Article 7(2)(a) of 2026/131 also deems transponders implanted before 1 January 2028 without the country code compliant). Applies to dogs and cats moving between Member States.
FAQs (dogs, cats and ferrets), checked 1 October 2026 - Microchip: Article 7(1)(b) of 2026/131 (identification for movements between Member States): if the transponder does not meet the Article 70a technical requirements, the owner or authorised person must provide a reader on request. Applies to dogs and cats moving between Member States.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 of 20 January 2026 on non-commercial movement of pet animals, checked 1 October 2026 - Minimum age: Between Member States only, a destination country may allow young pets under 12 weeks unvaccinated, or 12 to 16 weeks vaccinated but within the 21-day wait (Article 9 of 2026/131). The EC table (checked 1 October 2026) lists Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland as accepting them for non-commercial moves. Applies to young dogs and cats moving between Member States.
Young Animals, checked 1 October 2026 - Minimum age: Article 9 of 2026/131 defines the young-animal derogation for movement from another Member State. Applies to young dogs and cats moving between Member States.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 of 20 January 2026 on non-commercial movement of pet animals, checked 1 October 2026 - Other conditions: Between Member States, pets must carry an EU pet passport (Article 11(1) of 2026/131). The EC guidance page says it is completed and issued by an authorised veterinarian. Exception (Article 12 of 2026/131): a pet whose owner lives in a third country and that entered the EU on an animal health certificate may move on to another Member State with that certificate while it is valid. Applies to dogs and cats moving between Member States.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 of 20 January 2026 on non-commercial movement of pet animals, checked 1 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering Italy, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Italy guide.
What does the Netherlands require before your pet leaves?
- Export health certificate: NVWA fee for legalising a passport or certificate for dogs, cats or ferrets: EUR 65.87 (tariffs valid from 1 January 2026, no VAT). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the Netherlands where legalisation is required.
NVWA-tarieven exportcertificering 2026, checked 1 October 2026
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Pet Transport Global
Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
KLM
Direct Amsterdam to Rome (Fiumicino) and Milan (Malpensa) services. Cabin pets up to 8kg including carrier. Larger pets as cargo.
Transavia
Operates Amsterdam to multiple Italian airports. Cabin pets (up to 8kg with carrier). Check current routes seasonally.
ITA Airways
Italy's flag carrier. Cabin pets (up to 10kg including carrier). Cargo for larger pets. Flies Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate to Amsterdam connections.
Ryanair
Does not accept pets in cabin or hold. Not suitable.
easyJet
Does not accept pets. Not suitable.
Costs
What this route typically costs
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
Critical points
Ryanair and easyJet carry many passengers Amsterdam-Italy but take no pets.
Source: EU Regulation 2019/2035; NVWA Netherlands (nvwa.nl); Italian Ministry of Health.
FAQ
Common questions
No. For EU-to-EU travel, a valid EU Pet Passport is sufficient. No import permit, health certificate, or quarantine is required.
Your NVWA-authorised vet will need to administer a booster. The passport is valid for EU travel 21 days after the booster. You cannot bypass this waiting period.
Yes, as cargo. KLM Cargo handles larger dogs out of Amsterdam Schiphol in temperature-controlled holds. Book through the KLM Cargo desk. The standard EU Pet Passport documentation applies.
KLM flies direct from Amsterdam to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Milan Malpensa (MXP). Transavia covers additional Italian destinations seasonally.
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Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations