Moving Dogs and Cats Between the Netherlands, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia

For many people, dogs and cats are part of the family. When international moves, work assignments, or long-term travel arise, understanding how pets can travel safely becomes just as important as planning the journey itself.

Moving pets across borders is becoming more common, especially between the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia, where international mobility is part of everyday life.

At the same time, authorities work to ensure that the movement of dogs and cats does not pose risks to either animal or public health. This balance between mobility and regulation is what shapes the systems used for international pet movement today.

While the process is generally well organized, it still requires planning, coordination, and attention to detail, from vaccinations and documentation to airline transport requirements.

Different Systems, Shared Goals

In the Netherlands, pet movement is regulated under the European Union’s animal health framework and implemented nationally by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). This creates a harmonized system across EU countries, particularly in relation to identification, vaccination, and certification requirements.

General travel guidance for Dutch citizens travelling abroad with pets is also available via Netherlands Worldwide.

In the UAE, pet imports are managed by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), which operates an online permit system and defines the conditions for animals entering the country.

In Saudi Arabia, animal import procedures involve authorities such as the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Procedures are increasingly handled through online systems such as Naama and Agriserv, which support import permit applications and veterinary procedures.

Although these systems are structured differently, they all follow international standards established by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), especially regarding disease prevention and animal health protection.

Sending Pets from the Netherlands

For dogs and cats leaving the Netherlands, several steps must be completed before travel.

Animals must first be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. An official health certificate must also be issued before departure, usually by a veterinarian and validated by the NVWA.

Additional guidance on preparing pets for travel is available through the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO).

One of the most important parts of the process is timing. Vaccines, certificates, and travel dates all need to fit within specific validity periods. Missing a deadline or completing one step too early can affect the entire journey.

The Role of the Microchip

One detail that is easy to overlook, but central to international pet movement, is the microchip.

The microchip acts as the animal’s permanent identification and links the pet to its vaccination records and official documentation. Authorities use this identification to confirm that the animal travelling matches the certificates and records provided during the import or export process, the microchip must also comply with ISO standards used internationally for animal identification.

Official sources in the EU, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia all refer to microchipping as part of the movement requirements for dogs and cats. In practice, the chip supports identification and helps connect the animal to its vaccination and travel documentation. See, for example, the UAE MOCCAE pet import requirements and Saudi Agriserv permit requirements.

Digital documentation and identification systems are becoming a more visible part of international pet movement procedures. At the same time, systems differ between countries, and pet owners should always check how microchip registration and document verification are handled in the country of departure and arrival. For a broader EU animal welfare policy development, see the European Parliament update on EU rules to protect cats and dogs.

Bringing Pets into the UAE and Saudi Arabia

For pets entering the UAE, owners must first obtain an import permit through MOCCAE’s official online system. Supporting documents such as vaccination records, identification details, and health certificates are also required.

MOCCAE states that the import permit is valid for 90 days and that cats and dogs must be identified with a permanent microchip. Its guidance also refers to IATA conditions for pet animal transport.

Air Travel and Animal Welfare

Air transport is one of the most important parts of moving pets internationally.

Airlines follow international standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) through its Live Animals Regulations. These standards cover areas such as crate design, ventilation, animal handling, and transport safety.

Airlines such as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Emirates Airlines apply these standards through their own operational procedures.

In practice, transport restrictions may apply depending on airline safety policies, veterinary requirements, and destination-country regulations. Weather conditions, crate compliance, animal condition, and journey duration may all influence transport decisions. This means that even when official documents are complete, transport conditions themselves still play a major role in whether animals are approved for travel.

Animal welfare is also an important consideration throughout the process. International organizations such as WOAH and IATA emphasis reducing stress and ensuring safe handling during transport.

In countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, climate conditions can also affect transport arrangements. During periods of high temperatures, airlines may adjust or restrict pet travel to protect animal welfare and safety.

Direct air connections between the Netherlands and Gulf countries also support international pet movement.

Returning Pets to the Netherlands

For pets returning to the Netherlands, additional steps may sometimes be required.

One requirement that is often overlooked is the rabies antibody, or titer, test. Depending on the country of departure and the travel history of the animal, this test may need to be completed before travel and followed by a waiting period.

For pets originally travelling from the EU to GCC countries and later returning, maintaining valid rabies vaccination records can help avoid repeating parts of the process.

Different procedures may apply depending on whether the animal originally travelled from the EU or is entering the EU for the first time. The general European Commission information page on travelling with pets and other animals in the EU should be checked before travel.

For Dutch-specific guidance on bringing an animal from outside the EU, readers should consult the NVWA page on bringing an animal from outside the EU.

Where all requirements are correctly met, quarantine procedures may not be necessary. Because of this, planning ahead becomes especially important for return journeys to the European Union.

More Than Just Pet Travel

The movement of companion animals may seem like a small topic, but it reflects wider developments in global mobility, veterinary cooperation, and cross-border regulation.

Systems used for dogs and cats involve coordination between veterinarians, airlines, border authorities, and government agencies. They also show how countries manage the balance between facilitating travel and protecting animal and public health.

For More Information

For questions related to agricultural cooperation between the Netherlands and the GCC, or for guidance on relevant official resources, please contact: The Netherlands Agricultural Network in the GCC:

Email: riy-lvvn@minbuza.nl