Pets
Moving with a pet, or getting one after you arrive, comes with a few Belgian rules you will not have met back home. The good news is that the process is straightforward once you know the steps.
This page explains what is required to bring a pet into Belgium, how to register it, and what everyday pet ownership looks like here.
Overview
Belgium requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets to be microchipped and registered, whether you bring a pet with you or get one locally. What applies to you depends mainly on whether you are travelling from within the EU or from outside the EU, since the paperwork differs.
Bringing a pet with you
Requirements depend on where you are travelling from.
- From an EU country: you need an EU pet passport, a valid rabies vaccination, and a microchip.
- From outside the EU: requirements vary by country and may include blood tests and a waiting period before travel, so check well in advance.
- Airlines and ferry operators have their own pet policies and documentation requirements, separate from Belgian entry rules.
Registering your pet
All dogs, cats, and ferrets in Belgium must be identified and registered, regardless of where they came from.
- Your pet must have a microchip, implanted by a vet if it does not already have one.
- The microchip must be registered in DogID or Catid, the national registration databases.
- Vets can usually handle the microchipping and registration for you in a single visit.
Everyday pet care
A few local habits and rules are worth knowing once your pet has settled in.
- Dogs must generally be kept on a leash in public spaces, except in designated off-leash areas (losloopweide).
Picking up after your dog in public is expected, and some cities enforce fines for not doing so. - Veterinary costs are not covered by health insurance, so pet insurance is worth considering if you want to cover unexpected vet bills.
- If you are looking to adopt rather than bring a pet with you, local animal shelters (dierenasiel) are a common and affordable route.
Good to know: start the paperwork for bringing a pet well before your move, especially if travelling from outside the EU, since some requirements (such as blood tests) need to be completed months in advance.
Sources
- Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC)
- FPS Public Health
- Belgium.be - Travelling with pets
