Service & Guide Dogs

Dutch Law on Assistance Dogs

Under the Wet gelijke behandeling op grond van handicap of chronische ziekte (Equal Treatment on Grounds of Disability or Chronic Illness Act), assistance dogs are permitted in all public places in the Netherlands. This includes:

• Restaurants, cafes, and hotels
• Shops and supermarkets
• Museums and attractions
• Public transport (trams, buses, metro, trains, ferries)
• Taxis
• Municipal buildings, libraries, and sports facilities

If a business denies entry to your assistance dog, it may constitute unlawful discrimination. You can explain that Dutch law requires them to admit assistance dogs. If the situation is not resolved, you can file a complaint with the College voor de Rechten van de Mens (Netherlands Institute for Human Rights) or contact a local anti-discrimination bureau (antidiscriminatiebureau) for mediation.

Types of Assistance Dogs Recognized

The Netherlands recognizes several types of assistance dogs:

• Geleidehond - Guide dogs for visually impaired individuals
• Hulphond - Service dogs for people with physical disabilities
• Signaalhond - Hearing dogs for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals
• PTSS-hond - PTSD assistance dogs
• Autismehond - Autism assistance dogs

All types have the same legal right to access public places.

Bringing Your Assistance Dog to the Netherlands

The documentation you need depends on where you are traveling from.

From an EU Country

If you are bringing your assistance dog from another EU member state, you need:

• EU Pet Passport - Issued by a veterinarian in your home country. This blue booklet contains your dog's identification and vaccination history.
• Microchip - Your dog must be microchipped. The chip must be placed before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination.
• Rabies vaccination - Must be current and recorded in the EU Pet Passport. The vaccination must be done at least 21 days before travel if it is the first rabies vaccination. Booster vaccinations are valid immediately.

From the UK

Since Brexit, the UK is treated as a non-EU country. You need:

• Animal Health Certificate (AHC) - Issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) in the UK no more than 10 days before travel. This replaces the EU Pet Passport for UK travelers.
• Microchip - Required.
• Rabies vaccination - Must be current, given at least 21 days before travel.

From Outside the EU (US, Canada, Australia, etc.)

Requirements are more extensive:

• EU veterinary certificate - Issued by an authorized veterinarian in your home country.
• Microchip - Required.
• Rabies vaccination - Must be current.
• Blood test (rabies antibody titer test) - Required from countries not on the EU's approved list. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel. Results must show an antibody titer of at least 0.5 IU/ml.

Public Transport With Your Dog

Assistance dogs travel free on public transport in the Netherlands:

• GVB (tram, bus, metro, ferry): Assistance dogs ride free. No muzzle required. Keep your dog on a short leash and under control.
• NS (Dutch trains): Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free. Other dogs require a day ticket (few euros). Assistance dogs do not need a muzzle on trains.
• Taxis: Taxi drivers must accept assistance dogs. There is no extra charge. If a driver refuses, report it to the taxi company and the local anti-discrimination bureau.

Airline Policies

Airline policies on assistance dogs vary. Check with your specific airline well in advance.

• KLM - Allows certified assistance dogs in the cabin on most routes. Contact KLM's accessibility team at least 48 hours before departure. Documentation required.
• Transavia - Allows assistance dogs in the cabin. Advance notice required at booking.
• EasyJet - Allows recognized assistance dogs in the cabin. Documentation must be provided at least 14 days before departure.
• Ryanair - Only allows guide dogs for visually impaired passengers in the cabin. Other assistance dogs may need to travel in the hold.

Practical Tips for Amsterdam

• Water and relief areas: Amsterdam has many parks and green spaces where your dog can relieve itself. Vondelpark, Museumplein, and Westerpark are all wheelchair-accessible and dog-friendly. Carry water and waste bags.
• Hotel policies: Dutch law requires hotels to accept assistance dogs. Confirm this when booking to avoid issues at check-in. There should be no extra pet fee for assistance dogs.
• Restaurants and cafes: Assistance dogs are allowed in all restaurants. Keep your dog under the table and out of the way of other diners and staff. Most Amsterdam restaurant staff are familiar with assistance dog rules.
• Cobblestones and paws: The city's cobblestone streets can be rough on your dog's paws during long days of sightseeing. Check your dog's paw pads regularly and consider protective booties in hot summer weather when stones can heat up.