In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Uruguay to Netherlands
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
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Overview
Shipping a dog or cat from Uruguay to Netherlands rewards owners who start planning early. Expect around 20-26 weeks of lead time to line up the documents and the fixed waiting periods. No routine quarantine applies as long as every requirement is met.
You will need a rabies titre test, which adds a mandatory wait, so begin it as soon as possible. The sections below cover each requirement in detail.
Step by step
The Uruguay to Netherlands process
1
First step.
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) before vaccination
Responsible: Uruguayan vet
2
After chipping. 30-day wait before titre test.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Uruguayan vet
3
30+ days post-vaccination. Blood shipped from MVD to EU-approved lab. 90-day wait starts from blood draw date.
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory
Responsible: Uruguayan vet + EU-approved lab
4
Cannot be shortened.
90-day mandatory wait from blood draw date
Responsible: N/A
5
During the wait.
Book cargo MVD to AMS via Buenos Aires or São Paulo
Responsible: Owner or agent
6
Within 10 days of travel. Allow 5 working days for DGSG endorsement.
MGAP-DGSG endorsed EU health certificate
Responsible: MGAP-registered vet + DGSG
7
Travel day. MVD to AMS typically 16-20 hours via South American hub.
Arrive AMS. NVWA inspection at Schiphol Animal Hotel.
Responsible: Airline + NVWA
Checklist
Netherlands: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785. Implanted before vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. 21-day post-primary vaccination wait.
Rabies titre test
Required. Uruguay is EU unlisted. FAVN or ELISA test at EU-approved laboratory. Blood drawn 30+ days after vaccination. Minimum 0.5 IU/mL. Mandatory 90-day wait from blood draw date. Source: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, April 2026.
Quarantine
None for compliant arrivals.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU-format certificate endorsed by MGAP-DGSG, issued within 10 days of travel.
No formal export permit required for companion animals from Uruguay.
Health certificate
EU-format health certificate from a MGAP-registered vet in Uruguay, endorsed by the Dirección General de Servicios Ganaderos (DGSG) of Uruguay's MGAP. Issued within 10 days of travel. Departure airport: Carrasco International (MVD), Montevideo.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
FAVN titre test (blood draw, EU lab, international shipping): UYU 4,000-10,000 (approximately EUR 100-250)
2
MGAP-DGSG EU health certificate and endorsement: UYU 2,000-5,000 (approximately EUR 50-120)
3
Cargo MVD to AMS via hub: EUR 1,000-2,800
4
IATA crate: EUR 80-300
5
Pet transport agent: EUR 400-1,000
6
Total typical range: EUR 1,600-4,500 over 5-6 months
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Uruguay is EU unlisted. The FAVN test and 90-day wait apply regardless of other Uruguay-EU links.
⚠ The 90-day wait starts from the blood draw date, not when results arrive. Draw blood as early as possible.
⚠ International sample shipping from Montevideo to an EU-approved lab requires correct biological packaging and documentation. Use an experienced vet or specialist agent.
⚠ The DGSG endorsement step takes time. Allow at least 5 working days.
⚠ Cats from Uruguay also require the FAVN test and 90-day wait for entry into the Netherlands.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
KLM via Buenos Aires
KLM Cargo connects Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) directly. MVD to EZE via LATAM or Aerolíneas Argentinas, then KLM Cargo EZE-AMS. AMS is the Netherlands' primary live animal cargo hub.
Cargo Only
LATAM via São Paulo, then KLM
LATAM connects MVD to São Paulo (GRU). KLM Cargo operates GRU to AMS. Confirm live animal acceptance on the GRU-AMS leg.
Cargo Only
Air France/KLM via Buenos Aires
Air France and KLM share cargo on the EZE-CDG-AMS network. EZE to AMS via CDG is a routing option, adding a leg.
Cargo Only
Air Europa via Madrid
Air Europa flies MVD to Madrid (MAD). KLM or Air France Cargo from MAD to AMS. Adds a connection but broadens routing flexibility.
Cargo Only
What Netherlands requires
Bringing a pet into Netherlands involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
FAQ
Common questions
No. Uruguay has no EU-approved laboratory for titre testing. The blood sample must be drawn in Uruguay and shipped internationally to an EU-approved lab in Europe or North America. The EU-approved lab list is at food.ec.europa.eu. Allow two to three weeks for the sample to reach the lab and for results to come back.
If the rabies vaccination has been maintained continuously without any gap and the previous titre result was 0.5 IU/mL or above, that result remains valid indefinitely. If there was any lapse in vaccination coverage, the titre is invalid and a new test is required. Confirm the vaccination history is unbroken before assuming the existing result is still valid.
The titre test must be performed at an EU-approved laboratory. Some Argentine labs may be on the EU-approved list. Check food.ec.europa.eu for the current approved lab list. The blood must be drawn in Uruguay (or at the approved lab), and the draw date is what starts the 90-day wait. Transit through Argentina does not change the applicable EU rules for the Netherlands entry.
Airline guides
KLM via Buenos Aires
LATAM via São Paulo, then KLM
Air France/KLM via Buenos Aires
Air Europa via Madrid
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.