Legalisation of EU pet passports and other documents for dogs, cats and ferrets

When is legalisation mandatory?

Legalisation is usually not necessary if the Netherlands has made agreements with the country of destination. In the Export Assistent you can see whether agreements have been made with a country. A 'binding certificate' and instructions will then be available. This instruction will tell you what you need to do to meet the country's requirements. Is there no binding certificate available? Please contact us to find out what the requirements of the destination country are and whether legalisation is necessary. To do so, please send an e-mail to nvwacoadierenpaspoort@nvwa.nl.

How to make an appointment for the legalisation?

• Send an e-mail to nvwacoadierenpaspoort@nvwa.nl. Make sure to do this at least 14 working days before the date on which you want the legalisation to take place. The amount of time allowed between legalisation and departure can vary from country to country. Keep this in mind.
• Please include the following information about the trip in your e-mail:
  • Type of animal: dog, cat or ferret
  • Country of destination
  • Any stops along the way during your trip
  • Expected departure date or departure period
  • Purpose of your trip
  • Your phone number

• We try to answer your email within 2 working days. Once we have received all the necessary information about your trip, we will send you an appointment conformation for the legalisation. The appointment is at our office in Utrecht. You will receive directions per e-mail. The appointment will be scheduled on working days between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. On weekends and public holidays the office is closed. Please make sure to arrive on time. Your pet does not have to accompany you to the appointment.
• Is the appointment not convenient for you? Please respond to our e-mail within 24 hours. We will try to reschedule the appointment. We cannot guarantee this will be possible on your preferred date.

• Do you want to cancel or reschedule your appointment? This can be done free of charge up to 24 hours before the appointment. Please e-mail to: nvwacoadierenpaspoort@nvwa.nl.

Please note! It is possible that we are unable to reschedule the legalisation appointment to the date and/or time that is convenient for you. For example, because it is very busy. Or because we received your appointment request less than 14 working days in advance. So please contact us well in advance to schedule an appointment.

How do I prepare for the legalisation appointment?

• We will send you the nessesary information by e-mail. It will tell you how to meet the requirements imposed by the destination country. For example which documents you need to have legalised. Read the email and attachments carefully. Keep in mind that the requirements laid down by the destination country may change. Please check with the authorities of the destination country what the current requirements are.
• Arrange the necessary documents well in advance and bring all documents with you to the legalisation appointment. If you have any questions about what you need to arrange for legalisation, please send an e-mail to nvwacoadierenpaspoort@nvwa.nl.
• If you need a health certificate for your animal's trip, make sure your veterinarian completes and signs the form completely. Arrange this by taking your animal to the vet. Afterwards you can come to us for the legalisation. Please do not bring your pet.
• If there any documents missing or incomplete, the legalisation cannot take place. You will need to make a new appointment. We cannot guarantee that there will be space at your desired time.

What are the costs for legalisation?

Legalisation is at your own expense. Information about the costs can be found on the page with current rates. On this page, click on 'Exportcertificering' and go to the table behind the text 'Legaliseren  paspoort/certificaat honden/katten/fretten'.

What do I need to arrange for the return journey?

Are you travelling back to the Netherlands after your visit abroad? Requirements apply. Read what you need to arrange if you travel to the Netherlands with your pet. Or use our rules guide.

If you have any questions about the return journey, please contact us.

Ask us a question

• If you have a question about travelling with your dog, cat or ferret to a country outside the EU? For example, about legalisation or about another subject? Please send an e-mail to nvwacoadierenpaspoort@nvwa.nl.
• If there is a binding certificate available in the exportassistent for your animal's journey and do if you have a question about this, please send an e-mail to nvwacoacertificeringveterinair@nvwa.nl.
• If you have any other questions, please contact us.