Cyprus is one of those destinations where quarantine actually shows up on the checklist, and that alone reshuffles the whole timeline. Before Luna and I booked, the mandatory hold was the single line that made me rebuild my spreadsheet from scratch. If you are bringing a cat or dog here, treat the schedule as the hard constraint and everything else as negotiable detail around it.
Bringing a pet to Cyprus requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
How Cyprus handles your pet This certificate is meant for dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), cats (Felis silvestris catus) and ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Cabin policy Minimum age 12 weeks …is prohibited regardless of the country of origin. In order to be vaccinated, the animal must be at least 12 weeks old. The vaccination, or revaccination if applicable, must be in accordance wit verified 2026-07-15 Advance booking notice 48 hours If more than five pet animals per citizen will be moved, within 48 hours prior to the time of dispatch of the animals, an authorised veterinarian must verify that the animals… verified 2026-07-15 Advance booking required ✓ YesThe species of animals VETERINARY SERVICES - Non - Commercial Movements of Pet Animals REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS Ελληνικά Home Page | FAQs | Site Map | Links | Contact Us Search: Advanced Search Print NON-COMMERCIAL MOVEMENT… verified 2026-07-15 Banned destinations ✗ YesDogs and cats from Malaysia ( Peninsula) are prohibited from entering Cyprus unless they are accompanied by a health certificate from the Malaysian Veterinary Authorities confirming that the cat or dog: (a) has had no… verified 2026-07-15 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedThe entry of a pet animal from any other point is prohibited. verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedhe non-commercial movement of pet animals. Terms used in the text v Pet animals Dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ), cats ( Felis silvestris catus ), ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo ), invertebrates (except bees, bumble… verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Minimum age 12 weeks ardless of the country of origin. In order to be vaccinated, the animal must be at least 12 weeks old. The vaccination, or revaccination if applicable, must be in accordance with the recommendations… verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ Yesnumber or the ship name. The information must be communicated at least 48 hours prior to the arrival. DOGS, CATS, FERRETS A. General requirements 1. Identification Every animal must be individually identified. An animal… verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Heat embargo 105°C Age Taking into account the abovementioned requirements, any pet animal entering the territory of the Republic of Cyprus must be at least 105 days old. verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Crate must have/be IATA-compliant For more information you may visit IATA website http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/live-animals/Pages/index.aspx In the case of transport by sea, the animals must be transported under conditions fulfilling the health… verified 2026-07-15 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yesstatus to be checked for compliance with the legislative provisions in force. v Health Certificate A document issued by an authorised veterinarian and drawn up in accordance with the model set out in the Regulation (EU)… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate validity 60 days …Authorities confirming that the cat or dog: (a) has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days p verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate validity 10 days ked for compliance with the legislative provisions in force. The certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian. In the case of transport by sea, that period of 1 verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Required ✓ YesIn the case where the transponder does not comply with the aforementioned standards, the owner/person responsible for the animal must provide the means necessary for reading the transponder at the time of any inspection. verified 2026-07-16 Microchip · Standard ISO standard 11784 The transponder (microchip) must comply with ISO standard 11784 and apply HDX or FDX-B technology and must also be capable of being read by a reading device compatible with ISO standard 11785 verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Tattoo accepted ✓ YesAn animal is considered identified when it bears either ü a clearly readable tattoo (the tattoo, as a means of identification, is accepted only if it has been applied before 3 July 2011) or ü an electronic… verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Must be done before vaccination ✓ Yesmesos and Larnaka ports only. Notification of arrival The owner or the person responsible for a pet animal originating from a third country must communicate its arrival to the District Veterinary Office of the relevant… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Type quarantine takes place at private kennels Regardless of the animal country of origin, quarantine takes place at private kennels which are registered and officially approved for that purpose verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesThe duration of the quarantine cannot exceed a six-month period. · Euthanised without any compensation to the owner or the person responsible for the animal, if re-exportation or isolation in quarantine for the required… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Reducible ✓ YesIn the case of absence of such kennels, home quarantine will apply verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Pre-approval required ✓ YesFor the entry of pet animals other than dogs, cats and ferrets, an import permit issued by the Veterinary Services must be obtained prior to the movement verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required ✓ YesThe rabies antibody titration test must be performed in a laboratory approved by the EU on a blood sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before the animal… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved labs list must be performed by a laboratory approved in accordance with Article 3 of Council Decision 2000/258/EC must be performed by a laboratory approved in accordance with Article 3 of Council Decision 2000/258/EC (list of approved laboratories available at http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/approval_en.htm) verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Minimum level iu ml 5 The neutralising antibody titer must be equal or greater to 0,5 IU/ml verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required ✓ YesThe rabies antibody titration test must be performed in a laboratory approved by the EU on a blood sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before the animal movement verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Waiting period after test days 30 days The rabies antibody titration test must be performed in a laboratory approved by the EU on a blood sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before the animal movement verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test must follow vaccination days 30 days The rabies antibody titration test must be performed in a laboratory approved by the EU on a blood sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before the animal movement verified 2026-07-15 Import permit · Required ✓ YesFor the entry of pet animals other than dogs, cats and ferrets, an import permit issued by the Veterinary Services must be obtained prior to the movement. verified 2026-07-15 Import permit · Lead time 30 days …performed in a laboratory approved by the EU on a blood sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before the animal movement. In other words, four months prior to the… verified 2026-07-15 Import permit · Issuing authority Veterinary Services For the entry of pet animals other than dogs, cats and ferrets, an import permit issued by the Veterinary Services must be obtained prior to the movement. verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Issuer an authorised veterinarian v Health Certificate A document issued by an authorised veterinarian and drawn up in accordance with the model set out in the Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Required ✓ Yes1.01.2021 — 004.001 — 3 Article 4 Animal health certificate for the non-commercial movement into the Union of dogs, cats or ferrets The animal health certificate referred to in Article 25(1) of R egulation (EU) No… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Endorsed by official veterinarian appro priate, statements which are not relevant may be crossed out an d initialled and stamped by the official veterinarian, or completely deleted from the certificate. (b) The original of each certificate shall consist of a single… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Validity days 10 days The certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ Yeselephone / Τηλέφωνο: Date / Ημερομηνία: Signature / Υπογραφή: Stamp / Σφραγίδα: Endorsement by the competent authority (not necessary when the certificate is signed by an official veterinarian) Επικ verified 2026-07-15 Microchip required · Microchip required ✓ YesIn the case where the transponder does not comply with the aforementioned standards, the owner/person responsible for the animal must provide the means necessary for reading the transponder at the time of any inspection. verified 2026-06-19 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ Yessecured within a means of transport or within the perimeter of an international airport. The rabies antibody titration test must be performed in a laboratory approved by the EU on a blood sample taken by an authorised… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ Yesreceipt of entry to the event, proof of membership) shall be surrendered on request by the competent authorities responsible for the checks referred to in point (b) of the Notes. / Τα αποδεικτικά στοιχεία που… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Approved vaccines list recombinant vaccine of at least one antigenic unit per dose according to the World Health Organization standards, or with a recombinant vaccine expressing the immunising glycoprotein of the rabies virus in a live virus vector tion if… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination 30 days In other words, four months prior to the movement the animal must receive the primary anti-rabies vaccination, followed by blood sampling for rabies antibody titration 30 days after that vaccination. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Max vaccine age at travel 4 months checks for a total of 4 months or until the date of expiry of the validity of the anti-rabies vaccination or until the conditions relating to verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 12 weeks …is prohibited regardless of the country of origin. In order to be vaccinated, the animal must be at least 12 weeks old. The vaccination, or revaccination if applicable, must be in accordance with the recommendations… verified 2026-07-15 Tapeworm treatment · Required ✓ Yesφαρμακολογικώς δραστικών ουσιών οι οποίες, μόνες τους ή σε συνδυασμό, μειώνουν αποδεδειγμένα το φορτίο ώριμων ή άωρων εντερικών μορφών του παρασίτου Echinococcus multilocularis στα οικεία είδη ξενιστών. (12) The table… verified 2026-07-15 Tapeworm treatment · Vet documented ✓ Yesansponder or tattoo number of the dog / Αριθμός πομποδέκτη ή τατουάζ του σκύλου Anti-echinococcus treatment / Αγωγή κατά του εχινόκοκκου Administering veterinarian / Χορηγών(ουσα) κτηνίατ verified 2026-07-15 Tapeworm treatment · Window min hours before arrival 24 - Be administered by a veterinarian within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of the scheduled entry of the dogs 1 Animal health certificate for the non-commercial… verified 2026-07-26 Other rules Dangerous breeds banned ✗ YesBreed The entry of dogs of the following breeds is prohibited regardless of the country of origin. · Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull · Japanese Tosa or Tosa Inu · Dogo Argentino or Argentinian Mastiff · Fila… verified 2026-07-15 Breed restrictions apply ✗ YesBreed The entry of dogs of the following breeds is prohibited regardless of the country of origin. · Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull · Japanese Tosa or Tosa Inu · Dogo Argentino or Argentinian Mastiff · Fila… verified 2026-07-15 Service & assistance animals Documentation required ✓ Yesstatus to be checked for compliance with the legislative provisions in force. v Health Certificate A document issued by an authorised veterinarian and drawn up in accordance with the model set out in the Regulation (EU)… verified 2026-07-15 In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Cabin policy Minimum age 12 weeks …is prohibited regardless of the country of origin. In order to be vaccinated, the animal must be at least 12 weeks old. The vaccination, or revaccination if applicable, must be in accordance wit verified 2026-07-15 Advance booking notice 48 hours If more than five pet animals per citizen will be moved, within 48 hours prior to the time of dispatch of the animals, an authorised veterinarian must verify that the animals… verified 2026-07-15 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedThe entry of a pet animal from any other point is prohibited. verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedanimals. Terms used in the text v Pet animals Dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ), cats ( Felis silvestris catus ), ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo ), invertebrates (except bees, bumble bees, molluscs and crustaceans),… verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Minimum age 12 weeks In order to be vaccinated, the animal must be at least 12 weeks old. verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ Yesany case, the date of vaccination against rabies should not precede the date of application of the transponder or tattoo or the date of reading of the transponder or the tattoo indicated in the appropriate section of… verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Heat embargo 1°C τικού υγείας των ζώων During the non-commercial movement, the above animals will remain under the responsibility of Κατά τη μη εμπορικού χαρακτήρα μετακίνηση, τα προαναφερόμενα ζώα παραμένουν υπό την ευθύνη (1) Either verified 2026-07-15 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yesthe animal has arrived in Cyprus from another EU Member State. 2. Entry from third countries Accompanying documents 1. Health certificate or third country passport from third countries which have notified the European… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate validity 60 days …Authorities confirming that the cat or dog: (a) has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days p verified 2026-07-15 Import permit copy required ✓ YesFor the entry of pet animals other than dogs, cats and ferrets, an import permit issued by the Veterinary Services must be obtained prior to the movement. verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Required ✓ YesIn the case where the transponder does not comply with the aforementioned standards, the owner/person responsible for the animal must provide the means necessary for reading the transponder at the time of any inspection. verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Standard ISO standard 11784 The transponder (microchip) must comply with ISO standard 11784 and apply HDX or FDX-B technology and must also be capable of being read by a reading device compatible with ISO standard 11785 verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Tattoo accepted ✓ YesAn animal is considered identified when it bears either ü a clearly readable tattoo (the tattoo, as a means of identification, is accepted only if it has been applied before 3 July 2011) or ü an electronic… verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Must be done before vaccination ✓ Yesmesos and Larnaka ports only. Notification of arrival The owner or the person responsible for a pet animal originating from a third country must communicate its arrival to the District Veterinary Office of the relevant… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Type quarantine takes place at private kennels Regardless of the animal country of origin, quarantine takes place at private kennels which are registered and officially approved for that purpose verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesThe duration of the quarantine cannot exceed a six-month period. · Euthanised without any compensation to the owner or the person responsible for the animal, if re-exportation or isolation in quarantine for the required… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Reducible ✓ YesIn the case of absence of such kennels, home quarantine will apply verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Pre-approval required ✓ YesFor the entry of pet animals other than dogs, cats and ferrets, an import permit issued by the Veterinary Services must be obtained prior to the movement verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required ✓ YesIn other words, four months prior to the movement the animal must receive the primary anti-rabies vaccination, followed by blood sampling for rabies antibody titration 30 days after that vaccination Dogs and cats from… verified 2026-07-25 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved labs list must be performed by a laboratory approved in accordance with Article 3 of Council Decision 2000/258/EC must be performed by a laboratory approved in accordance with Article 3 of Council Decision 2000/258/EC (list of approved laboratories available at http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/approval_en.htm) verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Minimum level iu ml 5 The neutralising antibody titer must be equal or greater to 0,5 IU/ml verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required ✓ YesThe rabies antibody titration test must be performed in a laboratory approved by the EU on a blood sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before the animal movement verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Waiting period after test days 30 days The rabies antibody titration test must be performed in a laboratory approved by the EU on a blood sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before the animal movement verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test must follow vaccination days 30 days The rabies antibody titration test must be performed in a laboratory approved by the EU on a blood sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before the animal movement verified 2026-07-15 Import permit · Required ✓ YesFor the entry of pet animals other than dogs, cats and ferrets, an import permit issued by the Veterinary Services must be obtained prior to the movement. verified 2026-07-15 Import permit · Issuing authority Veterinary Services For the entry of pet animals other than dogs, cats and ferrets, an import permit issued by the Veterinary Services must be obtained prior to the movement. verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Issuer an authorised veterinarian v Health Certificate A document issued by an authorised veterinarian and drawn up in accordance with the model set out in the Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Required ✓ Yes1.01.2021 — 004.001 — 3 Article 4 Animal health certificate for the non-commercial movement into the Union of dogs, cats or ferrets The animal health certificate referred to in Article 25(1) of R egulation (EU) No… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Endorsed by competent authority …the territory or third country of dispatch or by an authorised veterinarian and subsequently endorsed by the competent authority of the territory or third country of dispatch. verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Validity days 10 days The certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ Yesicate shall be issued by an offic ial veterinarian of the territory or third country of dispatch or by an authorised vete rinarian and subsequently endorsed by the competent authority of the territo ry or third country… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ Yessecured within a means of transport or within the perimeter of an international airport. The rabies antibody titration test must be performed in a laboratory approved by the EU on a blood sample taken by an authorised… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ Yesαρμόδιων αρχών που είναι υπεύθυνες για τους ελέγχους οι οποίοι αναφέρονται στο στοιχείο β) των σημειώσεων. (4) Any revaccination must be considered a primary vaccination if it was not carried out within the period of… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Approved vaccines list recombinant of at least one antigenic unit per dose according to the World Health Organization standards, or with a recombinant vaccine expressing the immunising glycoprotein of the rabies virus in a live virus vector tion if… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination 30 days In other words, four months prior to the movement the animal must receive the primary anti-rabies vaccination, followed by blood sampling for rabies antibody titration 30 days after that vaccination. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Max vaccine age at travel 3 months preceding vaccination and at least 3 months prior to the date of issue of this certificate, proved an antibody titre equal to or greater… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 12 weeks In order to be vaccinated, the animal must be at least 12 weeks old verified 2026-07-15 Tapeworm treatment · Drug praziquantel - Consist of an approved medicinal product which contains the appropriate dose of praziquantel or pharmacologically active substances, which alone or in combination, have been proven to reduce the burden… verified 2026-07-25 Tapeworm treatment · Required ✗ NoPet dogs (not pet cats or pet ferrets) must be treated against the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis prior to entering: any EU country listed in Annex XIX to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620,… verified 2026-07-15 Other rules Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedCats that do not belong to the species ‘’Felis silvestris catus’’ are banned from entering Cyprus (e verified 2026-07-15
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -30 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs
Breed restrictions
Banned breeds: Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull, Japanese Tosa, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, Mastiff, Fila Brasileiro verified 2026-07-15
Restricted breeds: Pit Bull Terrier / American Pit Bull, Japanese Tosa / Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino / Argentinian Mastiff, Fila Brasileiro / Brazilian Mastiff verified 2026-07-25
The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, not alongside it. A chip read after the shot resets the clock and invalidates the vaccine record for entry. Verify the implant date sits earlier than the vaccination date on paperwork, then notify the District Veterinary Office of the arrival through Limassol or Larnaca ports so the file matches the timeline on landing.
Six breeds are barred from entry regardless of origin: Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull, Japanese Tosa, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, and Mastiff. No permit or exemption reopens that door. Confirm the animal is none of these types, and confirm any crossbreed will not be read as one, before committing to fares, carriers, or non-refundable veterinary appointments.
Frequently asked
Does my pet need a microchip for Cyprus? Yes. Cyprus requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid. How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for Cyprus? The rabies vaccine must take effect at least 30 days before entry, and can be given from 12 weeks of age. Travelling before that window makes the vaccination invalid at the border. What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity? If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays. What happens if I forget a document? At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
The rabies antibody titration blood sample must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination and three months before movement. That gap sets the earliest possible travel date, not the booking date. Schedule the vaccination first, mark day 30 for the blood draw, then count forward to the three-month window before locking any departure or connecting flight into the plan.
Cyprus rewards the person who works backward from the quarantine and titration dates rather than forward from the flight they wanted. That is exactly the kind of sequencing that gets lost in a browser tab at midnight. Build a personalized plan in Pawgo's plan-builder for your actual dates and pet, and let it hold the deadlines so you can go back to the fun parts of the trip.
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
