Pet Transport Netherlands to Latvia: 2026 Guide

Latvia is in the EU, and the Netherlands-to-Riga route is one of the better-connected EU-Baltic corridors. KLM and airBaltic both operate direct Amsterdam Schiphol to Riga (RIX) …

1-3 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Low

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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What's required

MicrochipISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip …

Rabies vaccinationCurrent rabies vaccination required. …

Rabies titre testNot required. Netherlands and Latvia are …

QuarantineNot required for compliant arrivals from …

Import permitNot required for non-commercial …

Health certificateEU pet passport. Valid throughout the EU …

Step by step

The import process, in full

Before other preparations.

Confirm ISO 15-digit microchip

Responsible: Dutch official vet

First vaccination: 21-day wait. Booster: no wait.

EU pet passport with current rabies vaccination

Responsible: Official vet in the Netherlands

4-6 weeks before. Direct routes sell out in summer.

Book KLM or airBaltic direct AMS-RIX

Responsible: Owner or agent

One of the shortest EU-Baltic routes.

Travel day: Amsterdam to Riga approximately 2 hours direct

Responsible: Owner

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip required, recorded in the EU pet passport.

Rabies vaccination

Current rabies vaccination required. First vaccination: minimum 21 days before entry. Booster within valid period: no wait.

Rabies titre test

Not required. Netherlands and Latvia are both EU member states. No rabies antibody titre test needed.

Quarantine

Not required for compliant arrivals from other EU member states.

Import permit

Not required for non-commercial companion animal movements within the EU.

Health certificate

EU pet passport. Valid throughout the EU including Latvia.

Export permit

No export permit required for companion animals moving between EU member states.

Health certificate

EU pet passport issued by an official veterinarian in the Netherlands. Records microchip number, rabies vaccination history, and owner details. No additional export health certificate needed for intra-EU travel.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Netherlands to Latvia move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global

Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

KLM direct Amsterdam to Riga

KLM operates direct Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Riga (RIX). An excellent option: direct, with Schiphol's IATA-accredited live animal handling and KLM Cargo at both ends. Small cabin pets under 8kg (including carrier) and larger dogs in cargo both served. One of the strongest options in this group.

Cargo and Cabin

airBaltic via Riga

airBaltic operates AMS to RIX directly. As Latvia's national carrier with a hub at Riga, airBaltic has strong live animal handling at RIX. Cabin pets under 8kg. Cargo also available. A competitive alternative to KLM on this direct route.

Cargo and Cabin

Ryanair (cabin only)

Ryanair serves the AMS (Eindhoven Airport or Rotterdam) to RIX corridor from Dutch secondary airports. Cabin pets only. No cargo service. For small animals only.

Cabin Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

EU pet passport: EUR 50-100 from Dutch official vet

Cabin pet fee AMS to Riga: approximately EUR 80-200

Cargo fee for larger dogs: EUR 300-900

IATA travel crate: EUR 60-250

Total for small cabin pet: EUR 130-300

Total for large dog via cargo: EUR 500-1,300

Critical points

Latvia bans Pit Bull-type dogs. American Pit Bull Terrier and similar breeds cannot enter Latvia. Check pvd.gov.lv if there is any doubt about your dog's breed classification.

Both KLM and airBaltic operate the AMS-RIX direct. Compare prices and pet policies before booking; airBaltic may have competitive fares as the home carrier at Riga.

Cabin pet weight limits apply on both KLM and airBaltic. Confirm the exact limit for your specific flight.

The Pit Bull ban in Latvia is non-negotiable. Arriving with a prohibited breed risks the dog being refused entry and returned to the Netherlands.

Two direct options: KLM vs airBaltic

The Amsterdam-Riga corridor is one of the few EU-to-Baltic routes where you genuinely have two strong direct options for pet transport. KLM, part of the Air France-KLM Group, operates AMS to Riga directly with established live animal cargo handling at Schiphol. airBaltic, Latvia’s national carrier, also operates the AMS-RIX route with home-ground expertise at Riga Airport.

For small pets in cabin, both carriers allow pets under their weight limits. For cargo pets, KLM’s Schiphol handling is IATA accredited and handles significant live animal volumes. airBaltic’s Riga facilities are well-suited to receiving animals given the carrier’s base there.

Compare fares and check specific pet policies (weight limits, crate requirements) for each carrier before booking. The competition on this route sometimes makes one option significantly cheaper than the other.

Latvia's Pit Bull ban: what it means in practice

Latvia prohibits American Pit Bull Terrier and similar breeds from entering the country. This is a law under Latvian national legislation, enforced by the PVD at Riga Airport. Arriving with a dog classified under the ban means the dog cannot be admitted, which in practice results in the animal being returned to the Netherlands.

For Dutch owners of Pit Bull-type dogs considering relocation to Latvia, the options are to seek legal advice on re-classification (not generally productive), choose a different EU destination, or seek a rehoming solution. There is no exemption process.

For all other breeds, Latvia’s entry requirements are standard EU: valid passport, microchip, current rabies vaccination. Simple.

FAQ

Common questions

Both are strong options on this direct route. KLM’s Schiphol live animal handling is IATA accredited and handles significant volumes. airBaltic has home-ground familiarity at Riga Airport. Compare current prices and cabin/cargo pet policies for your specific travel dates. Either is a sound choice.

Latvia bans American Pit Bull Terrier and similar Pit Bull-type dogs from entry. Other breeds such as Rottweiler and American Staffordshire Terrier must be registered and muzzled in public but are not banned from entry. Check pvd.gov.lv for the full current list.

No. The Netherlands and Latvia are both EU member states. No rabies antibody titre test is required for intra-EU movements. A current rabies vaccination in a valid EU pet passport is sufficient. Source: EU Regulation 576/2013.

Approximately 2 hours direct. The AMS-RIX route is one of the shorter EU-Baltic connections, which is good for the animal’s comfort. No connection means no additional handling or waiting time in transit.

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to Latvia.

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