CO
Colombia
✈️
NL
Netherlands

Pet Transport Colombia to Netherlands: 2026 Guide

20-22 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Medium
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified

Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →

Overview
Colombia is not EU-listed, so the FAVN titre test and 3-month wait from blood sampling date apply. KLM operates direct from Bogota to Amsterdam Schiphol, avoiding a hub transfer. The Netherlands has no national breed ban. For owners whose breeds face restrictions elsewhere in Europe, the Netherlands is a permissive EU entry point.
Step by step

The Colombia to Netherlands process

1
5+ months before travel
Confirm ISO microchip predates rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Vet in Colombia

2
5+ months before travel
Verify rabies vaccination and 21-day post-primary wait.

Responsible: Vet in Colombia

3
4-5 months before travel
Blood draw for FAVN titre test. 3-month wait starts from sampling date.

Responsible: Official vet and EU-approved laboratory

4
3 months from blood draw
Wait 3 months from blood sampling date.

Responsible: N/A - mandatory waiting period

5
4-6 weeks before travel
Book cargo from BOG to AMS on KLM direct.

Responsible: Owner or agent

6
Within 10 days of travel
Obtain ICA-endorsed EU-format health certificate within 10 days of travel.

Responsible: ICA-registered vet plus ICA endorsement

7
Travel day
Depart BOG. NVWA inspects at Amsterdam Schiphol on arrival.

Responsible: Airline cargo and NVWA

Checklist

Netherlands: entry requirements

RequirementDetail
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must predate the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccinationValid rabies vaccination required. 21-day wait after primary vaccination.
Rabies titre testRequired. Colombia is not EU-listed. FAVN titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above. 3-month wait from blood sampling date. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026.
QuarantineNo quarantine for compliant pets. NVWA inspects at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS).
Import permitNo import permit required. ICA-endorsed EU-format health certificate is the required document.
Health certificateEU-format certificate endorsed by ICA, issued within 10 days of travel.
Leaving Colombia

Export requirements

RequirementDetail
Export permitNo formal export permit required for companion animals from Colombia. Primary departure airport: Bogota El Dorado (BOG).
Health certificateOfficial veterinary health certificate issued by an ICA-registered official vet and endorsed by ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario). EU-format required. Issued within 10 days of travel.
Costs

What this route typically costs

1ICA certificate and endorsement: COP 100,000-300,000 (approximately EUR 20-65)
2FAVN titre test (EU-approved laboratory): EUR 85-170
3IATA-compliant crate: EUR 80-250 if needed
4Cargo BOG to AMS (KLM direct): EUR 800-1,800 depending on crate size
5Pet transport agent (optional): EUR 150-400
6Total typical range: EUR 1,200-2,700
Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ Colombia is not EU-listed: FAVN titre test and 3-month wait from blood sampling date are mandatory. Start 5+ months before travel.
⚠ 3-month wait runs from blood draw date, not results date.
⚠ Netherlands has no breed ban: all breeds enter on documentation compliance alone.
⚠ KLM direct BOG-AMS avoids a European hub transfer.
Carriers

Airlines on this route

KLM Cargo
KLM operates direct from Bogota (BOG) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). KLM Cargo accepts live animals on transatlantic routes. Schiphol is KLM's hub with established live animal handling.
Cargo Only
Air France Cargo via CDG
Air France connects BOG to Paris CDG with onward connections to Amsterdam.
Cargo Only
Avianca Cargo via European hub
Avianca connects BOG to European hubs with onward connections to Amsterdam Schiphol.
Cargo Only

The titre test process from Colombia and ICA certificate

Colombia is classified as a non-listed third country under EU Regulation 576/2013. The FAVN titre test is mandatory: blood drawn at an EU-approved laboratory after a valid rabies vaccination, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. A 3-month wait then runs from the blood sampling date. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026.

ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario) endorses the EU-format health certificate. This must be issued by an ICA-registered official vet within 10 days of travel. Total preparation is approximately five months.

KLM direct and the Netherlands no breed ban

KLM operates direct from Bogota El Dorado (BOG) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and accepts live animal cargo on this route. The NVWA carries out the arrival inspection for pets from non-EU countries.

The Netherlands removed its breed-specific legislation in 2008. All breeds may enter on documentation compliance alone, with no breed classification applied at the border. For Colombian families moving with breeds restricted in Germany or France, the Netherlands is the more permissive entry point.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. Colombia is not on the EU’s listed countries schedule. The FAVN titre test and 3-month wait from blood sampling date are mandatory. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026.
No. The Netherlands removed its breed-specific legislation in 2008. The NVWA carries out a documentary inspection at Schiphol on arrival, but no breed classification is applied.
Yes. KLM operates direct from BOG to AMS and accepts live animal cargo. This avoids a European hub transfer.
KLM direct cargo BOG to AMS typically costs EUR 800-1,800. Add EUR 85-170 for the titre test and EUR 20-65 for the ICA certificate. Total all-in is typically EUR 1,200-2,700.
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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