“I rescued Tafoukt from a shelter in Morocco and brought her home to Paris.”
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Bringing Your Pet to Moldova: A Complete Import Guide
Moving to Moldova with a beloved companion—whether a rescue from across the Mediterranean or a lifelong family pet—is entirely possible. I've made this journey myself, crossing borders with Tafoukt, my 20kg Moroccan rescue, and I know how daunting the paperwork can feel. But Moldova welcomes dogs and cats as personal pets, and with the right preparation, your arrival can be smooth and stress-free.
This guide walks you through every requirement, timeline, and document you'll need. Whether you're relocating from France, Romania, or anywhere else, the process is the same—and it's manageable if you start early.
Can You Bring Your Pet to Moldova?
Yes. Moldova allows both dogs and cats to be imported as personal pets, provided they meet health and documentation requirements. There are no breed restrictions for dogs in Moldova, so mixed breeds and rescues are welcome. Cats face no breed restrictions either.
The key authority is ANSA (the State Animal Registry). You can keep a maximum of 5 pets per household, and all must be registered with the State Animal Registry upon arrival.
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 the timeline for microchipping and vaccinations. This early conversation prevents last-minute surprises.
5 Months Before Departure
Microchip your pet if not already done. Your dog or cat must have an ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip. This is non-negotiable for international travel. The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination. If your pet has a non-ISO chip, you'll need to provide your own compatible scanner at the border.
4.5 Months Before Departure
Administer the first rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks (3 months) old. After this vaccination, you must wait a minimum of 21 days before travel. Mark this date on your calendar—it's your earliest possible departure window.
3 Months Before Departure
Arrange a health certificate appointment. You'll need an official health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. This certificate must be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS if you're in the United States, APHA if in the United Kingdom). The certificate is valid for only 10 days, so timing is critical.
2 Weeks Before Departure
Obtain the health certificate and government endorsement. Schedule your vet appointment for 5–7 days before your flight. After the vet issues the certificate, submit it to your country's veterinary authority for endorsement. This step takes 3–5 business days, so don't delay. Once endorsed, the certificate is valid for 10 days—plan your travel within this window.
1 Week Before Departure
Confirm your airline's pet policy. Different carriers have different rules for pet transport. Check with Air France, Lufthansa, or your chosen airline about cabin vs. cargo travel, crate requirements, and fees. Notify them 48 hours in advance if your pet is a trained service dog.
Register your pet with Moldova's State Animal Registry. Contact ANSA to begin the registration process. Have your pet's microchip number, vaccination records, and health certificate ready.
Day of Departure
Carry all original documents. Bring the endorsed health certificate, microchip documentation, rabies vaccination record, and any other health records. Keep these in a separate, easily accessible folder. At Chisinau International Airport (KIV)—the primary approved port of entry—you may be asked to present them.
Essential Documents Checklist
- ISO 11784/11785 microchip implant record (with microchip number)
- Rabies vaccination certificate (original, showing date and vaccine name)
- Official health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian
- Government veterinary authority endorsement of the health certificate
- Proof of pet registration with Moldova's State Animal Registry
- Airline pet travel documentation and booking confirmation
- Copies of all documents (keep digital and paper backups)
Key Requirements Explained
Microchipping
Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip before the first rabies vaccination. This is the international standard and is required by virtually all countries. If your pet already has a non-ISO chip, you'll need to provide a compatible scanner at the border—not ideal, so upgrading to an ISO chip is strongly recommended.
Rabies Vaccination
Rabies vaccination is mandatory. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. After the first dose, you must wait 21 days minimum before traveling. Boosters are also required—confirm the booster schedule with your vet. The vaccine must be current and administered by a licensed veterinarian.
Health Certificate
An official health certificate from a licensed vet is required. It certifies that your pet is healthy and fit to travel. The certificate is valid for only 10 days, so schedule your vet appointment close to your departure date. After the vet issues it, the certificate must be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority—this is a separate step and takes additional time. Plan for 3–5 business days for endorsement.
Quarantine
Good news: Moldova does not require quarantine for pets arriving with complete, valid documentation (microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate). If all paperwork is in order, your pet can go straight home with you.
Import Permit
Moldova does not require an import permit for personal pets. However, you must register your pet with the State Animal Registry upon arrival.
Ports of Entry
Pets can only enter Moldova through Chisinau International Airport (KIV). This is the approved port of entry for pet imports. Plan your flight accordingly.
Special Considerations for Rescue Dogs
If you're adopting a rescue dog from a shelter outside Moldova—as I did with Tafoukt from a Moroccan shelter—the process is identical. The shelter should provide you with the dog's health records and microchip information. If the dog doesn't have an ISO microchip yet, have one implanted immediately. Rescues often come with unknown vaccination histories, so your vet may recommend a fresh rabies vaccination to ensure compliance. This is worth the small extra cost for peace of mind.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Microchipping after vaccination: The microchip must come first. If you vaccinate before microchipping, you'll need to restart the 21-day waiting period.
- Waiting until the last minute for health certificates: Government endorsement takes time. Apply at least 2 weeks before departure.
- Forgetting the 21-day waiting period: You cannot travel sooner than 21 days after the first rabies vaccination, even with all other documents ready.
- Using a non-ISO microchip without a scanner: If your pet has an older chip, upgrade to ISO 11784/11785 or arrange to bring a compatible scanner.
- Skipping airline notification: Contact your airline at least 48 hours before departure. Some carriers have limited pet spaces.
- Forgetting to register with ANSA: Registration with Moldova's State Animal Registry is required after arrival. Start this process before you travel.
Cost Estimate
While we're still verifying exact fees with Moldova's authorities, typical costs include:
- Microchipping: €20–50
- Rabies vaccination: €15–40
- Health certificate and vet exam: €50–100
- Government endorsement: €10–30 (varies by country)
- Airline pet transport: €50–300 (cabin or cargo)
- State Animal Registry registration: €10–50 (estimated)
Total: approximately €165–570, depending on your location and airline.
After Arrival in Moldova
Register your pet with ANSA immediately. Contact the State Animal Registry with your pet's microchip number, vaccination records, and health certificate. This registration is mandatory and ensures your pet is legally recognized in Moldova.
Find a local veterinarian. Schedule a post-arrival check-up within the first week. Your vet can confirm your pet's health, discuss local parasite prevention, and advise on any Moldova-specific health concerns.
Update your pet's microchip information. Notify the microchip registry of your new address in Moldova so you can be contacted if your pet is ever lost.
A Final Word on Pet Rescue and International Travel
When I brought Tafoukt across the Mediterranean, I wasn't just moving a pet—I was giving a shelter dog a second chance. International pet travel infrastructure exists not just for purebreds and privileged pets, but for every animal deserving of a home. Shelters across Morocco, Romania, and beyond are full of dogs and cats waiting for families willing to navigate these requirements.
The paperwork is thorough, yes. But it's there to protect animal welfare and public health. Start early, stay organized, and trust the process. Your companion will be worth every form.
Need personalized guidance? Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo—we'll walk you through every step specific to your situation.
Data verified from official Moldova government sources and international pet travel standards. Last updated 2024.
Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 23, 2026