Pet Transport from the Netherlands to Italy

Italy follows EU Regulation 2019/2035 for companion animals arriving from other EU member states. For a pet coming from the Netherlands, the requirements are:

An ISO microchip (11784 or 11785) recorded in the passport. A current rabies vaccination that has been valid for at least 21 days. The EU Pet Passport itself, issued by an NVWA-authorised vet in the Netherlands.

Italian border officials or port-of-entry vets may ask to see the passport on arrival, particularly at major airports like Rome Fiumicino or Milan Malpensa. It is worth keeping it accessible rather than buried in the hold luggage.

Once your dog arrives in Italy, a couple of local rules are worth knowing about, even though they are not border entry rules. Italy’s regions vary slightly, but nationally certain large dog breeds are required to wear a muzzle in public spaces and on public transport.

Italian law also requires dogs on leads in public areas. This is enforced quite consistently in cities. Your pet is not at risk at the border for any of this, but knowing the rules before you arrive makes settling in easier.

KLM flies direct from Schiphol to Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa. It has one of the more straightforward cabin pet processes, accepting small pets (up to 8kg including carrier) in the passenger cabin. Register when booking.

Transavia (part of the KLM group) covers Amsterdam to a wide range of Italian airports, particularly in summer. Cabin pets are accepted on most routes.

ITA Airways, the Italian national carrier, also accepts cabin pets and allows a slightly higher weight limit (up to 10kg including carrier on some routes).

For larger dogs, KLM Cargo is the most direct option. It can be booked through the KLM Cargo desk and the hold is temperature-controlled and pressurised.