Importing a Horse to the Netherlands: Paperwork, Transport, and Registration (2026)

You've finally found your dream horse — but it's located in Germany, Belgium, or perhaps even Spain. Buying a sport horse abroad is more common than ever in 2026, but between "yes, I'll buy it" and "it's safely stabled in the Netherlands" lies a journey of paperwork, transport, and registration. Underestimating this process can lead to issues at the border, missed deadlines, or unnecessary expenses. In this guide, we'll walk you through step-by-step what you truly need to import a horse into the Netherlands.

The information below is based on the official regulations of the NVWA, RVO, and FNRS. Regulations can change, and your specific situation (EU or non-EU, private or commercial) determines which requirements apply. Before making your final purchase, always check the latest information with the NVWA and RVO, or seek guidance from a specialized transporter.

Step 1 — Check the Passport Before You Pay

Every horse crossing a border must have a valid horse passport. Good news for those buying within the EU: a valid EU passport is recognized throughout the European Union and does not need to be replaced by a Dutch passport. The horse must also have a microchip that matches the passport.

Are you buying outside the EU? Then the passport will be assessed against EU standards. If it doesn't comply, it may be declared invalid, and a new passport will need to be applied for. Therefore, always check the passport before you pay — a missing or incorrect passport is a red flag.

Tip: combine this check with a pre-purchase veterinary examination and thoroughly reviewing the report. Paperwork and health should be considered together in one decision-making moment.

Step 2 — The Animal Health Certificate (TRACES)

This is the document that most buyers stumble over. An animal health certificate is mandatory for import, and it must be registered in the European TRACES system. The certificate is issued after examination by an official veterinarian from the authority in the country of departure. Without this certificate, the horse is not allowed to cross the border.

Important: you (or your transporter) arrange this certificate in the country of origin, before departure. You cannot "rectify" it afterwards in the Netherlands. So, plan this well in advance with the seller and the transporter.

Step 3 — Transport: Private or Commercial?

How you transport the horse determines which rules apply:

• Transporting more than two horses is considered commercial transport. This requires a carrier's license and TRACES registration.
• If you transport your horse yourself over more than 65 kilometers, the transporting company must have a carrier's license (transport permit).
• Different procedures apply to EU countries (including Norway and Switzerland) than to non-EU countries.

In practice, most buyers of a sport horse opt for a specialized horse transporter. They are familiar with the routes, the paperwork, and the inspection stations. Please note: the buyer remains responsible for the import of the horse, even if you engage an intermediary or transport company. Therefore, make written agreements in advance about who will arrange which document.

Step 4 — Inspection by the NVWA

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) inspects imported horses, but not in the same way:

• Horses from other EU countries are checked via a random sample at the destination.
• All horses from countries outside the EU are checked at the border.

Ensure your paperwork is in order and readily available — especially when importing from outside the EU, where inspection is standard.

Step 5 — Registration in the Netherlands (the 30-day rule)

This is the step that is often forgotten after arrival. If the imported horse remains at your location for longer than 30 days, you must contact a Dutch passport-issuing authority (PIA) — usually a studbook. They will check the foreign passport and arrange for the initial registration in the RVO's I&R system. Do this as soon as possible after import.

In addition, the location where you keep horses must have a Unique Business Number (UBN). You apply for this number with the RVO, and it is mandatory for every stable location.

What Does It Cost — and Is Importing Worth It?

Direct import costs (certificate, transport, possibly quarantine or air transport for non-EU) are added to the purchase price. For EU transport within Western Europe, expect a few hundred to over a thousand euros, depending on distance and whether you share a ride. For imports from outside the EU (air transport, border inspection), the costs increase significantly.

Before purchasing, calculate everything, not just the acquisition but also the structural costs of owning a horse. A horse from abroad can be attractive in terms of quality and price — Germany, for example, is a huge market for sport horses and Spain also has its own offerings — but only if you factor in the import costs and risks beforehand.

Checklist: Importing a Horse to the Netherlands

Before Purchase

• Valid passport checked (and matching microchip)
• Pre-purchase veterinary examination performed and report reviewed
• Agreements made on who arranges the animal health certificate

Around Transport

• Animal health certificate (TRACES) applied for in the country of origin
• Transporter with a valid carrier's license (for >65 km or >2 horses)
• Clear understanding of who is responsible for which document

After Arrival

• Paperwork ready for NVWA inspection (random sample EU / border non-EU)
• For stays >30 days: registration via a Dutch PIA/studbook in I&R
• UBN for your stable location arranged with RVO

Verified vs. General Advice

Verified facts (source: NVWA, RVO, FNRS): the obligation of a valid passport and microchip; the animal health certificate via TRACES, issued after inspection in the country of origin; NVWA inspection via random sample (EU) or at the border (non-EU); the 30-day rule for registration via a PIA in I&R; the UBN obligation; and the rule that transport of more than two horses is considered commercial transport.

General advice / assumptions: the mentioned cost indications are approximate amounts and vary greatly depending on the route, season, and service provider. Exact rates, waiting times, and any quarantine requirements for non-EU imports are situation-dependent — request a quote from a transporter and check the current requirements with the NVWA.

Ready to Search Internationally?

Importing a horse is manageable once you have the paperwork, transport, and registration in order. Start with the right horse: on Sporthorses.nl, you'll find sport horses that — through our international network — are discoverable and for sale worldwide. Search specifically, request the paperwork before you pay, and plan the import from the outset.