Pet Transport from India to the Netherlands

The regulatory requirements for India to any EU country or Switzerland are effectively the same: FAVN titre test, 90-day wait, official health certificate from a DAHD-authorised vet, ISO microchip, and current rabies vaccination. None of these three destinations have a shorter pathway or an exemption for Indian-origin pets.

What differs is destination-specific factors. The Netherlands has a Pit Bull ban that Germany and Switzerland do not apply at national level. Germany and Switzerland have their own breed restrictions (some German states ban certain breeds; Switzerland has cantonal rules), but the Netherlands’ prohibition is national and enforced at the border.

For airline access, KLM’s direct India-to-Amsterdam service is a significant practical advantage. Lufthansa offers equivalent direct access to Germany. Swiss connects Zurich to Delhi and Mumbai. All three are established cargo carriers on these routes with experience handling live animals.

The FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation) test measures whether a pet has a sufficient level of rabies antibodies in its blood. The EU requires a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. For a pet from India, passing this test is not optional; it is the gateway to entry.

The blood must be drawn by a vet at least 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination. If blood is drawn earlier, the test result is not valid for EU purposes regardless of the antibody level. The blood sample must be sent to a lab approved by the European Commission. Not all labs in India are on this list. Confirm the lab’s approval status before submitting.

Results typically take two to four weeks. If the result is below 0.5 IU/ml, the pet must be revaccinated (if the vaccination is still current, a booster may suffice) and retested. The 90-day wait cannot begin until a passing result is recorded.

Once you have a passing result, the 90-day count begins from that test date. Keep the original lab report. You will need to present it at Amsterdam Schiphol alongside the health certificate. Dutch NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) officers will verify the dates carefully.

KLM is the recommended carrier for this route for two reasons: it operates direct services from BOM, DEL and HYD to AMS, and it has dedicated live animal handling teams at Schiphol with experience receiving pets from India. Booking through KLM Cargo (rather than as check-in baggage) gives you access to their temperature-controlled live animal facility.

Book cargo space early, particularly for large dogs. KLM limits the number of animals per flight, and peak summer and Christmas periods fill quickly. Your agent (or KLM directly) will need the pet’s IATA crate dimensions, weight, and breed to confirm booking.

The crate must meet IATA Live Animal Regulations. For most dogs, this means they can stand, turn and lie down without touching the sides. The crate must have water and a food dish, absorbent bedding, and proper ventilation. KLM’s cargo team will inspect the crate at check-in.

At Schiphol, the Dutch NVWA inspects arriving live animals. Their team will check the FAVN titre test report, the health certificate, vaccination records, and microchip. Allow two to three hours after your flight lands for this process. If paperwork is complete, your pet is released to you at the airport.

Total costs for this route typically run USD 1,500-3,500 for a medium to large dog, including titre test, health certificate, cargo fees and agent support. Starting the process at least six months before your planned move date is strongly recommended.