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How to move abroad with pets: what does a removal company arrange?

Christiaan van der Ent ·

A moving company arranges the transport of your household goods abroad, but the responsibility for your pet largely rests with you. However, when you move internationally, you can expect a great deal of practical support from an experienced moving partner when it comes to documentation, planning and coordination. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about moving abroad with pets.

What does a moving company handle for your pet — and what doesn’t it?

A moving company arranges the transport of your household goods, but not the transport of live animals. Pets are legally not permitted to travel in a moving truck. What a good moving company does do is inform you about the rules, help with planning and let you know in good time which steps you need to take yourself for your four-legged friend.

At Van der Ent Group, our move coordinators take overall charge of the process. This means that during the preparation of your international move, you also receive advice on what needs to be arranged regarding your pet, so that nothing is overlooked. Think about the timing of veterinary appointments, the required documents and coordination with your travel planning.

What a moving company does not arrange:

  • The actual transport of your pet
  • Veterinary treatments or vaccinations
  • Applying for official pet passports or health certificates
  • Quarantine regulations in the destination country

What a moving company can support:

  • Informing you about documentation requirements per country
  • Coordinating the moving schedule so that you and your pet arrive simultaneously
  • Referring you to specialist pet transport companies if desired

What documents do you need to take your pet abroad?

For most destinations within Europe, you need at minimum a valid EU pet passport for your dog, cat or ferret, proof of a valid rabies vaccination and a microchip. For destinations outside the EU, additional requirements apply, including in some cases an official health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian.

The specific documents depend on the destination country. For moves within Europe, the rules are relatively uniform, but there are country-specific nuances. For a move to Spain, one of the most popular destinations for Dutch nationals, the following generally applies:

  • An EU pet passport containing the vaccination history
  • A valid rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before departure)
  • An implanted microchip (ISO standard 11784 or 11785)
  • For certain species: a CITES certificate (protected species)

Always verify the most current requirements through official government channels or your veterinarian, as rules can change from year to year.

How do you safely transport a dog or cat abroad?

You safely transport a dog or cat abroad by choosing a travel option suited to the animal and the distance: by car, on a flight in the cabin or as cargo, or via a specialist pet transport company. The choice depends on the distance, the breed, the age and the health of the animal.

Transport by car

For destinations such as Spain, many Dutch nationals choose to take their pet in their own car. For many animals, this is the least stressful option, as they stay with their owner. Ensure sufficient stops, water, ventilation and a safe transport crate or bag. Preferably drive in the early morning or evening to avoid overheating.

Transport by plane

Small dogs and cats are permitted in the cabin with most airlines, provided they fit in an approved carrier bag and remain under a certain weight. Larger animals travel as cargo in the hold. Always check with the airline for their specific requirements, as these vary by airline and route.

What are the rules for pets when moving to Spain?

When moving to Spain, the standard EU rules for bringing pets apply: a microchip, a valid EU pet passport and an up-to-date rabies vaccination. Spain has no additional quarantine requirement for dogs and cats from other EU countries. However, there are specific breed restrictions for certain dog breeds.

Spain maintains a list of dog breeds designated as potentially dangerous, the so-called razas potencialmente peligrosas. Owners of breeds such as the Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or Fila Brasileiro are required to apply for a special permit and take out a liability insurance policy. Inquire about this well in advance of your move with the local municipality (ayuntamiento) in your new place of residence.

From our office in Malaga, we serve the Andalusia region, one of the most popular destinations for Dutch nationals moving to Spain. Our relocation services provide practical support throughout the entire move, including advice on local regulations.

When should you start preparing for your pet?

Start preparing for your pet at least three months before your departure date. Some documents, vaccinations and treatments require a waiting period before they become valid. Those who start too late risk the animal not being able to travel on the planned date.

A realistic timeline looks like this:

  1. Three to four months before departure: Check whether the microchip is present and readable. Have the rabies vaccination administered if it is no longer valid. The vaccination must have been given at least 21 days before departure to count.
  2. Two months before departure: Apply for the EU pet passport from your veterinarian if you don’t already have one. Check with the airline or transport company for their specific requirements.
  3. Two to four weeks before departure: Have an official health certificate drawn up if the destination country requires it. Some countries only accept this certificate if it is no more than ten days old upon arrival.
  4. One week before departure: Check all documents for validity and completeness. Ensure you have sufficient medication or sedatives if your veterinarian has advised this.

What does it cost to take a pet on an international move?

The costs of taking a pet on an international move vary considerably and depend on the method of transport, the destination country and the size of the animal. Broadly speaking, expect costs ranging from a few tens of euros for cabin airline tickets to several hundred euros for specialist pet transport.

An overview of the main cost items:

  • Veterinarian and vaccinations: Costs for updating vaccinations, applying for or updating the EU pet passport and any health certificates typically range between 50 and 150 euros, depending on the treatments required.
  • Air transport: Small animals in the cabin cost between 50 and 100 euros per flight with most airlines. Larger animals as cargo in the hold are considerably more expensive and can run up to 500 euros or more, depending on weight and route.
  • Specialist pet transport company: If you opt for a professional pet transport company, you pay for a door-to-door service. Prices vary considerably but for a journey from the Netherlands to Spain typically range between 500 and 1,500 euros.
  • Additional costs: Think of an approved travel crate or bag, any quarantine costs and insurance for the animal during transport.

If you move worldwide to a destination outside the EU, the costs and complexity can be considerably higher due to stricter import rules, mandatory quarantine or additional veterinary inspections. In that case, always seek timely advice from both your veterinarian and a moving specialist with international experience.

Veelgestelde vragen

Kan mijn huisdier alvast vooruit reizen terwijl de verhuiswagen nog onderweg is?

Ja, dat is zelfs aan te raden. Omdat huisdieren niet in de verhuiswagen mogen meereizen, is het verstandig om de reisplanning van je huisdier los te koppelen van het transport van je inboedel. Bespreek dit tijdig met je verhuiscoördinator zodat beide aankomsttijden op elkaar worden afgestemd en je dier niet onnodig lang in een tijdelijke opvang hoeft te verblijven.

Wat als mijn hond of kat een plat snuitje heeft (brachycefaal ras)? Mag die gewoon mee in het vliegtuig?

Brachycefale rassen zoals de Franse Bulldog, Mops of Perzische kat worden door veel luchtvaartmaatschappijen geweigerd of aan extra beperkingen onderworpen vanwege verhoogde gezondheidsrisico’s tijdens de vlucht. Controleer het beleid van je luchtvaartmaatschappij ruim van tevoren en overweeg in dat geval vervoer per auto of via een gespecialiseerde huisdiertransporteur als veiliger alternatief.

Hoe help ik mijn huisdier wennen aan de transportbench of reistas vóór de verhuizing?

Begin minimaal vier tot zes weken voor vertrek met het introduceren van de transportbench of -tas als een vertrouwde, positieve plek. Laat je dier er vrijwillig in gaan, gebruik bekende geur of een favoriete deken, en bouw de duur van verblijf geleidelijk op. Een goed gewend dier ervaart aanzienlijk minder stress tijdens het transport, wat ook de gezondheidsrisico’s onderweg vermindert.

Wat gebeurt er als mijn huisdier bij aankomst in het bestemmingsland wordt tegengehouden vanwege ontbrekende documenten?

Als de documenten niet in orde zijn, kan je huisdier worden vastgehouden in quarantaine op kosten van de eigenaar, of in het ergste geval worden teruggestuurd naar het land van herkomst. Dit kan niet alleen emotioneel zeer belastend zijn, maar ook forse extra kosten met zich meebrengen. Controleer daarom alle documenten minimaal een week voor vertrek zorgvuldig en laat ze indien nodig ook door je dierenarts of verhuiscoördinator nalopen.

Moet ik mijn huisdier ook opnieuw registreren of aanmelden bij de gemeente na aankomst in het nieuwe land?

In veel landen, waaronder Spanje, ben je verplicht om je hond te registreren bij de lokale gemeente (ayuntamiento) en in te schrijven in het nationale of regionale dierenregister. Dit moet doorgaans binnen een bepaalde termijn na aankomst gebeuren. Vraag bij je nieuwe gemeente of via je relocation advisor naar de exacte vereisten, want deze kunnen per regio of gemeente verschillen.

Zijn er goede verzekeringen voor huisdieren tijdens een internationale verhuizing?

Ja, er zijn gespecialiseerde reisverzekeringen voor huisdieren die dekking bieden tijdens het transport, zoals bij ziekte, overlijden of het missen van een vlucht. Sommige reguliere huisdierverzekeringen bieden beperkte dekking tijdens transport, maar controleer altijd de polisvoorwaarden op internationale geldigheid. Voor langere trajecten of verhuizingen buiten de EU is een aparte transportverzekering sterk aan te raden.

Kan ik meerdere huisdieren tegelijk meenemen bij een internationale verhuizing?

Ja, maar houd er rekening mee dat de logistiek en kosten per extra dier toenemen. Bij vliegreizen gelden per dier aparte ticketkosten en gewichtslimieten, en sommige luchtvaartmaatschappijen staan slechts één huisdier per passagier toe in de cabine. Bij vervoer per auto of via een huisdiertransporteur is het meenemen van meerdere dieren doorgaans goed te organiseren, mits elk dier over de juiste eigen documenten beschikt.

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