Law on horses, ponies and donkeys in Belgium

Identification, passport, sale and breeding of equines in Belgium: what breeders, sellers and owners need to know.

Draught horses: the breed’s stud book for mating and foal registration.

Key points

Every equine has a transponder (microchip) and a passport with its UELN number.
Registration in the central Belgian equine database.
The passport travels with the animal at sale and on every journey.
The passport states whether the equine is excluded from the food chain (medical treatments).

Document	Purpose	When?
Transponder	Electronic identification	Before 12 months or before first leaving the holding
Passport (UELN)	Identity, vaccinations, food chain status	Always with the animal
Covering certificate	Foal’s parentage (stud book)	After mating

Ad with breed, age, sex, height, UELN or transponder number and price.
Passport given to the buyer; change of keeper reported to the database.
Pre-purchase vet examination recommended; hidden defects: legal warranty on sales of domestic animals.

Yes. The passport with UELN number and the transponder are mandatory; the passport is given to the buyer.

Walloon breeding licence rules cover dogs and cats; for equines, identification, the passport and stud-book rules apply.

This guide is for information; it does not replace the official texts. If in doubt, contact your Region’s administration.