Dogs in Belgium: rules, tax and travel

Every dog must be chipped and registered in the DogID database before 8 weeks old or before sale or adoption. Owners must update details when they move.[2]

Compulsory for dogs before 8 weeks old.[3]

Letting a dog run loose where it is not allowed can bring a municipal administrative fine (GAS-boete), and some municipalities also fine owners with no poop bags. Leash zones are set by municipality.[2]

A dog may not be tied up constantly or as a habit, and a small kennel is not enough. Several Flemish municipalities ban permanent tethering. Dogs need a dry, draught-free shelter and daily walks, and must be brought in during extreme weather.[4]

A new EU Regulation on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats will in time require every dog to be microchipped and registered in a national database. Private dog keepers get a long phase-in.[5]

EU Regulation 576/2013 applies: pets travel with their owner, a maximum of five per trip, with a microchip, a pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination.[6]

Pets must have a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at 12 weeks or older and valid 21 days after the primary course, and an animal health certificate (or a pet passport when coming from a listed country). Unlisted origins must enter through a designated travellers point of entry. Maximum five pets per trip.[7]

Needed only for pets arriving from non-EU countries that are not on the EU list. Blood is taken at least 30 days after the first rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before the certificate is issued, with a result of 0.5 IU/ml or more from a designated lab. Pets from listed countries do not need it.[7]

A tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment for dogs is required only when entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway. It must be given by a vet 24 to 120 hours before arrival.[8]