“I spent 3 hours on hold with the airline before I figured this out.”
Meet all guides →
Bringing Your Pet to Georgia: The Complete Import Guide
Hey, I'm Marco. I've flown with my 6kg French Bulldog, Mochi, to about 15 countries now, and I've learned the hard way that pet import rules are not one-size-fits-all. Georgia is actually pretty straightforward compared to some places, but there are still gotchas that'll catch you off guard if you're not prepared. Here's what you need to know before you land in Tbilisi with your furry friend.
Can You Actually Bring Your Pet to Georgia?
The Good News
Yes, both cats and dogs are allowed into Georgia as personal pets. The country's National Food Agency (NFA) handles pet imports, and they're generally welcoming to travelers bringing one pet along. Here's what nobody tells you: Georgia doesn't require an import permit if you're bringing your pet as a personal pet (not for commercial purposes). I wish someone had told me this before I spent three hours on hold trying to get a permit for Mochi that I didn't even need.
The Limit
You can bring a maximum of 5 pets per person for non-commercial travel. Unless you're running a mobile petting zoo, you're fine.
Breed Restrictions
Georgia does not have breed restrictions for dogs or cats. So if you've got a Pit Bull, a Rottweiler, or any other breed that gets side-eye in other countries, you're good. (Though if you're traveling with a brachycephalic breed like my Mochi, check out our brachycephalic breed guide — those flat-faced pups have their own challenges with airlines, not Georgia.)
Your Preparation Timeline
6 Months Before Departure
Schedule a pre-travel vet consultation. Your vet needs to confirm your pet is healthy enough to travel and discuss vaccination timing. This is when you'll learn if your pet has any health issues that might complicate travel. Trust me, finding out your dog has a heart murmur two weeks before departure is not the vibe.
5-6 Months Before Departure
Get your pet microchipped if they aren't already. Georgia requires an ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip — this is the universal standard. The microchip must be implanted before your pet's first rabies vaccination. If your pet has an older, non-ISO chip, you'll need to provide your own compatible scanner at the border (not ideal). Schedule this appointment now so you're not scrambling later.
4-5 Months Before Departure
Administer the first rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks (3 months) old to receive it. The vaccine must be given by a licensed veterinarian. Mark your calendar: there's a mandatory 21-day waiting period after this first vaccination before your pet can travel. Yes, 21 days. I learned this the hard way when I booked a flight too early and had to reschedule.
3 Months Before Departure
Ensure rabies booster is current. Your pet needs a booster vaccination (the timing depends on which vaccine was used — your vet will advise). The rabies vaccine must be current at the time of travel. If your pet's previous booster is expiring soon, get it renewed now.
4-6 Weeks Before Departure
Schedule your health certificate exam. You'll need an official health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. The certificate is valid for only 10 days, so don't do this too early. Book your vet appointment for 5-7 days before your flight — this gives you a buffer in case the vet finds something that needs attention.
2-3 Weeks Before Departure
Get your health certificate endorsed by your government veterinary authority. In the United States, that's USDA APHIS. In the UK, it's APHA. In Canada, it's CFIA. This is a separate step from the vet exam and can take 5-10 business days. Here's what nobody tells you: you can't just walk into the USDA office with your health certificate. You need to submit it by mail or through an online portal, and they'll return it to you. Plan accordingly.
1 Week Before Departure
Confirm your airline's pet policy. Different airlines have different rules about cabin vs. cargo, crate requirements, and fees. Check with your specific airline — whether it's Air France, British Airways, or another carrier. Some airlines won't accept brachycephalic breeds in cargo at all (looking at you, Mochi's nemesis airlines).
3-5 Days Before Departure
Double-check all documents. You should have: microchip records, rabies vaccination certificate, health certificate (issued within 10 days of travel), and government endorsement. Make copies of everything and store them digitally as well. I keep PDFs in my phone, my email, and my cloud storage. Paranoid? Maybe. But I've never lost a document.
Required Documents Checklist
- ISO 11784/11785 microchip (implanted before first rabies vaccination)
- Rabies vaccination certificate (current booster, administered by licensed vet)
- Official health certificate (issued by licensed vet, valid for 10 days)
- Government veterinary authority endorsement of health certificate
- Proof of microchip implantation (from your vet)
- Airline pet booking confirmation and crate/carrier specifications
- Copies of all documents (digital and printed)
What Georgia Does NOT Require (But Other Countries Do)
Here's where Georgia is actually pretty chill compared to places like Australia, Japan, or Singapore:
- No rabies titer test required. Georgia is not a rabies-free country, so you don't need a blood test to prove your pet's rabies antibody levels. (Only rabies-free countries require this.)
- No quarantine required. If your documents are in order, your pet walks off the plane with you. No 30-day lockdown.
- No tapeworm treatment required. Some countries like the UK and Ireland require Praziquantel treatment 24-120 hours before arrival. Georgia doesn't.
- No import permit needed. As long as you're traveling with your pet as a personal pet (not for sale or breeding), you're exempt.
Entry Requirements: Where You Can Land
Your pet must enter through Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). This is the only approved port of entry for pets. If you're flying into a smaller airport or crossing a land border, you'll need to arrange transport to Tbilisi for customs clearance. Plan accordingly — this isn't something you want to figure out at 2 AM.
Service Animals and Military Travel
Georgia recognizes service animals, but emotional support animals (ESAs) are not recognized as service animals for import purposes. If you're traveling with a legitimate service dog, you won't need an advance notice, but bring documentation. Military personnel: we're still verifying whether Georgia offers any special exemptions or modified quarantine rules — check with your TMO or Georgia's NFA directly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Getting the microchip after the first rabies shot. The microchip must come first. I've seen people have to delay travel because they got this backwards.
- Waiting until the last minute for government endorsement. USDA APHIS and similar agencies can take 5-10 business days. Don't submit your health certificate one week before departure.
- Assuming your old microchip is ISO-compliant. If it's not, you'll need to provide a compatible scanner or get a new chip. Check with your vet now.
- Forgetting the 21-day waiting period after first rabies vaccination. You cannot travel before 21 days have passed. Period.
- Booking a flight before confirming your airline's pet policy. Some airlines have breed restrictions, size limits, or won't accept pets in cargo. Check first.
- Letting your health certificate expire in transit. It's valid for 10 days. If your flight is delayed, you could arrive with an expired certificate. Get it issued as close to departure as safely possible.
- Not making copies of everything. Digital and printed. Trust me on this one.
Pro Tips from Someone Who's Done This
Get a pet travel kit. Mochi travels with a collapsible water bowl, treats, medications, and a comfort toy. Airports are stressful for pets — familiar items help.
Microchip registration is not automatic. After your pet is microchipped, register the chip with the microchip company and update it with your contact info. If your pet gets lost, the microchip is useless if nobody can contact you.
Take photos of all documents. Before you leave home, photograph every page of every document. Store them in your phone and email them to yourself. If a document gets lost or damaged in transit, you'll have proof.
Arrive early for your flight. Pet check-in often has different procedures than regular baggage. Give yourself extra time.
Check Georgia's NFA website closer to your travel date. Rules can change, and we're still verifying some specifics about inspection procedures at Tbilisi International Airport. The National Food Agency is your official source.
Need Help Planning?
Pet import rules are complex, and Georgia's requirements are just one piece of the puzzle. If you're traveling from a specific country (like the US, UK, or Canada), check our country-specific guides for additional requirements from your departure point.
For a comprehensive overview of international pet travel, check out our documents checklist guide.
Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — they'll create a custom timeline based on your pet's age, your departure country, and your travel dates.
Final Thoughts
Georgia is genuinely one of the easier countries to bring a pet to. No quarantine, no titer test, no tapeworm treatment, no import permit — it's refreshingly straightforward. The key is planning ahead and not cutting corners on the microchip-to-vaccination timeline. Get those done early, book your vet appointments in advance, and submit your health certificate for endorsement with plenty of time to spare. Do that, and you and your pet will be exploring Tbilisi in no time.
Note: This guide is based on data auto-verified from official government sources including Georgia's National Food Agency. Pet import rules can change. Always confirm current requirements with the NFA or your veterinarian before traveling.
Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 23, 2026