BE
CA

Pet Transport from Belgium to Canada

Moving a dog or cat from Belgium to Canada is straightforward. Canada does not require quarantine, titre tests, or import permits for personal pets from Belgium. The main requirement is a valid rabies vaccination certificate in English or French. Belgium is …

Step by step

The Belgium to Canada import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
Certificate must be valid on arrival in Canada.
Vaccinate against rabies and obtain certificate in English or French

Responsible: Licensed veterinarian in Belgium

2
Belgium is bilingual; confirm certificate includes English or French text.
Confirm certificate language (English or French required)

Responsible: Owner or vet

3
4-8 weeks before travel.
Book connecting flight and confirm pet acceptance

Responsible: Owner or agent

4
2-3 weeks before travel.
Source IATA-compliant crate if required

Responsible: Owner

5
On travel day.
Travel to Canada. Present pet and documents to CBSA on arrival.

Responsible: Owner

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Canada

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
Not mandated by CFIA for personal pets from Belgium, but required by most …
Rabies vaccination
Required. Pets over three months of age must have a valid rabies vaccination …
Rabies titre test
Not required from Belgium.
Quarantine
Not required for personal pets from Belgium.
Import permit
Not required for personal pets.
Health certificate
Not mandated by CFIA, but airlines may require one for cargo.
Export permit
No export permit required for personal pet exports from Belgium.
Costs

What this route typically costs

Cabin fee: EUR 50-200 each way
Cargo or checked baggage: EUR 150-700 depending on crate size
IATA-compliant crate: EUR 80-400
Rabies vaccination certificate: EUR 50-120
Pet transport agent (optional): EUR 200-600

Critical points

Rabies vaccination certificate must be in English or French. Belgium is bilingual (Dutch/French); confirm the certificate includes English or French content.

No direct Brussels-Canada flight on most major carriers. Factor in connection time and confirm full cargo chain before booking.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Brussels Airlines / Lufthansa Group
Brussels Airlines operates from Brussels (BRU) and is part of the Lufthansa Group. No …
Cabin and Cargo
Air Canada
Air Canada connects from Brussels via partner hubs. PetSafe programme for checked baggage. …
Cabin and Cargo
Air Transat
Seasonal charter Brussels-to-Canada routes. Confirm pet acceptance for specific season.
Cabin and Cargo

What does Canada require for pets arriving from Belgium?

For personal pets over three months of age, Canada requires a valid rabies vaccination certificate in English or French under the Health of Animals Regulations (SOR/91-525). The certificate must identify the animal, be signed by a licensed vet, and specify the vaccine’s validity duration. No titre test, quarantine, or import permit is required. Source: CFIA, inspection.canada.ca (2026).

Does the certificate from a Belgian vet need to be in English or French?

Yes. Belgium has both Dutch-speaking (Flemish) and French-speaking regions. A certificate issued in Dutch only will not be accepted at the Canadian border. Canadian regulations require English or French.

French-speaking Belgian vets can issue in French, which Canada accepts. Flemish vets typically issue in Dutch; ask for an English version or add English notation. The simplest route is to ask your vet to include English text, or to have the certificate officially translated before travel.

How do I route my pet from Belgium to Canada?

No direct Brussels-to-Canada flight operates on most major carriers. The most common option is Brussels Airlines to Frankfurt (connecting to Lufthansa for the transatlantic leg), or via other European hubs. Air Transat operates seasonal charters from Brussels to Canada; confirm availability for your travel dates.

Small pets can travel in the cabin on some European and transatlantic routes. Larger pets travel as cargo or checked baggage. Confirm the full cargo arrangement on each leg before booking.

FAQ

Common questions

No. Canada does not require quarantine for personal pets from Belgium.
Yes. English or French is required. A Dutch-only certificate from a Flemish vet will not be accepted. French-language certificates are accepted.
No. No titre test is required for personal pets from Belgium entering Canada.
No direct Brussels-Canada service on most major carriers. Connections via Frankfurt or via Air Transat seasonal charters are typical.
2 to 4 weeks. The main steps are ensuring the vaccination is current and the certificate is in English or French. No quarantine waiting period applies.
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Move your pet to Canada.

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BE CABelgium to Canada
International pet transport route
Lead time2-4 weeks
QuarantineNo
ComplexityLow
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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