Pet Travel & Moving with Animals to Cyprus

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Pet Travel & Moving with Animals to Cyprus

In Cyprus, pets are defined as animals kept for company and which are not be intended for commercial purposes. According to Cypriot and EU law, pets include cats, dogs and ferrets as companion pets. 

Up to five domestic pets may be transported to Cyprus per person. No animal under three months of age may travel (for humane reasons).

The Veterinary Services - Animal Health and Welfare Division (AHWD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment oversees animal care and veterinary services in Cyprus. 

• Animal Health and Welfare Division (AHWD)
  Veterinary Services Headquarters
  Tel: +357 22 805 152/5/253
  Fax: +357 22 805 174
  e-mail
  Website

The Veterinary Services provides information regarding the transport of animals to and from Cyprus. The information is available in English-language PDFs and relates only to non-commercial importation.  

• For general information on importing pet animals to Cyprus: Click here

Transporting Pets From EU Countries

The European Pet Passport

Cats, dogs and ferrets living in the EU can travel between EU-member states if accompanied by a valid EU Pet Passport. The EU Pet Passport can also be used when travelling between Europe and the following areas: Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearics. 

Note: As of December 2008, the EU system applies to cats, dogs and ferrets; there is no agreed-on legislation at EU level regarding other animals, so national legislation applies.

The EU Pet Passport is a booklet, identical for all European countries, which contains obligatory information concerning an individual animal: including an identification number and proof of valid vaccination against the rabies virus. It may contain other non-obligatory information. It is valid for the lifetime of the pet. Each passport is numbered for identification purposes.

In order for an animal to qualify for an EU Pet Passport, it must be:

• microchipped or tattooed for identification purposes (tattoos will only be accepted until 3 July 2011)
• vaccinated against rabies, with the efficacy confirmed by a blood test

The process for obtaining an EU Pet Passport can take several months. If the animal's rabies vaccination is not kept up-to-date, the process will need to be started from the beginning. Therefore it is recommended to ensure that rabies vaccinations are done on schedule (they differ from country to country; in Cyprus animals must be vaccinated once a year). Further information regarding the EU Pet Passport can be obtained from the animal's veterinarian, who should have relevant information and be able to prepare the pet for travel.

Animals travelling to Ireland, Sweden, Malta and the United Kingdom must meet additional regulations set forth by those countries for entry. When traveling to Sweden and Finland, animals must also have proof of tapeworm (echinococcosis) treatment.

The EU Pet Passport may also be used when travelling between the EU and other countries with the same rabies status. These countries include: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State.

• For further information on these third countries see the EUROPA website: Click here

If a pet from an EU-member state temporarily stays in a "third country", it will be able to come back into the EU if it has it's EU Pet Passport and meets entry requirements.

Transporting Pets From Non-EU Countries

Pets originating from a third country that does not appear on the accepted countries list will not be subject to quarantine or an import permit if the following are fulfilled:

• The animal has acceptable identification, such as a clearly readable tattoo (tattoos will only be accepted until 1 October 2012) or a readable implanted electronic microchip
  • Microchips must meet with the provisions of the International Quality Standard ISO 11784:1996 or Annex A of ISO 11785:1996
• The animal came to Cyprus directly from a third country (as considered by EU legislation) and has travel documents verifying from which country the animal has arrived
• The animal is accompanied by a valid written health certificate (in English or Greek) issued by an official veterinarian that clearly states the:
  • Name, surname and address of the owner
  • Tattoo or microchip number
  • Animal's breed, gender, type of coat, color and date of birth
  • Date of the animal's rabies vaccination (which must be valid)
  • Commercial brand and name of the vaccine administered
  • Date of the next rabies revaccination
  • For a downloadable Health Certificate form (in English and Greek): Click here (scroll down the page to the heading "Document")

Health certificates are valid for four months.

If the requirements are not fulfilled, the animal will be subject to quarantine; quarantine and inspection fees will be payable.

Note: Animals traveling from Northern Cyprus to an EU country do not qualify for the EU Pet Passport Scheme.

General Regulations for Bringing Cats & Dogs to Cyprus

Guide dogs

Most airlines allow guide dogs to travel free, and often in the cabin even though they generally exceed the weight/size limit. Please check with the carrier concerned.

Vaccinations

Rabies is the only vaccination required for travelling into Cyprus. This needs to be administered at least 30 days prior but not more than one year before arrival in Cyprus. 

Flea, tick and worm treatment

This must be given from 24- 48 hours before travel to Cyprus and should be noted on the health certificate or Pet Passport by the administering vet. If this treatment has not been performed, the pet will be subject to one month in quarantine from the date of import.

Notifying the authorities

The Veterinary Services Department in Cyprus must be informed at least 48 hours before the animal's arrival. The office must be supplied with the date, time, location (port or airport) and number of the flight or ship on which the animal will be carried.

• Veterinary Services Department - Arrival Notification
  Fax: +357 22 805 176
  e-mail

Travel crates/cages

Animals traveling to Cyprus must be kept in cages which meet IATA specifications.

Arriving in Cyprus

On arrival, the animal and accompanying human will be met by the Veterinary Officer or Customs Officer who will inspect the animal and the EU Pet Passport or health certificate. 

If the animal arrives with a valid EU Pet Passport and meets all requirements, no inspection fees are payable. If the animal does not have an EU Pet Passport, payment must be made to the officer at this point. There are two price bands: one charged for inspections during regular office hours and a higher one for after-hours inspections (14:30-07:30 and on weekends and holidays). 

The owner of the animal is not required to be present, though the animal must be accompanied by a person who is responsible for it. 

The Veterinary Officer with check that the animal was:

• Clinically examined not more than 72 hours prior to exportation and found to be in good health and free from signs of rabies and any other infectious or contagious disease
• Kept since birth, or for the six months prior to shipment, in the exporting country or at a quarantine depot where no case of rabies was officially reported during the past two years
• Vaccinated against rabies not less than one month and not more that one year prior to travel
• Treated for worms, and tapeworms (Echinococcosis/Hydatidosis) within 48 hours prior to travel
• Received insecticidal treatment against ticks and fleas (Ectoparasites) within 48 hours prior to travel

Pets not adhering to all of the requirements above may still enter Cyprus, but will be subject to six months in quarantine. There are fees for placing an animal in quarantine.

• For more information regarding quarantine fees, see the Veterinary Services Department website: Click here (PDF)

Registration and licencing

On arrival in Cyprus, it is the pet owner's responsibility to register the dog's microchip number with the Cyprus Databank and get it licenced with Central Registration at the local Municipality or Community Council office. 

• For more information on registration and licencing, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Essential Animal Contacts
• For municipal office information see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Cyprus Administration National & Local

Prohibited Dog Breeds

The following breeds of dog are not allowed to enter Cyprus: 

• American Pit Bull Terrier/Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa/Tosa Inu
• Argentinian Mastiff/Dogo Argentino
• Brazilian Mastiff/Fila Brasileiro

UK Pet Travel Scheme/PETS 

Dogs, cats and ferrets may travel between UK and Ireland, and Europe without quarantine, provided some (stringent) requirements are met. The system allowing travel is called the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).

DEFRA, the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural affairs, has comprehensive and up-to-date information on the website. It can also provide an information pack on request.

• DEFRA 
• Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)
  Tel: +44 870 241 1710
  e-mail
  Open: Mondays to Fridays 08:00-18:00 UK time

Entering the UK, Ireland, Malta or Sweden (until 31 December 2011)

Before entering Britain or Ireland (or Sweden or Malta) from another country in the EU, an animal must:

• Have a anti-rabies booster vaccination (the pet must be vaccinated by a vet)
• Have a blood test. A blood sample will be taken 30 days after the vaccination and will be sent to an approved laboratory to confirm it has been effective
• If the sample test is correct, the vet will sign the certificate
• If the sample test is negative, the vaccination and sampling process will be repeated until successful and there will be a six-month delay (see note below)
• Between 24 and 48 hours before departure the animal must be treated for ticks, and tapeworm (echinococcosis). This treatment must be carried out by an authorised vet
• Have microchip identification, a tattoo is not acceptable
• Have a valid EU Pet Passport completed with certificates and documentation of treatments

Note: A passport cannot be issued until six months after a satisfactory blood test. Once the vet has issued the pet's documentation and that six-month period has passed, the pet may enter the UK. The travel process is then much the same as above. The passport must be up to date and the rabies booster must be valid.

If the authorities are unsatisfied with the animal on entry to the UK it can be held in quarantine until the relevant tests are passed.

Further information from:

• Irish Department of Agriculture
• British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA 

Changes to the rules effective 1 January 2012

As of 1 January 2012, the rules regarding moving pet animals to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden and Malta are harmonised with the rest of the EU. A blood test after the rabies vaccination will no longer be necessary and the waiting time before entry is shortened from six months to 21 days. Tick treatment will not be obligatory. The additional requirement for tapeworm treatment is still under consideration at European level.

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has comprehensive information on the new policy:

• For more information from DEFRA regarding the new rules: Click here
• For the leaflet Bringing pets into the UK after 1 January 2012: Click here (PDF)

For information from Sweden and Ireland’s governments:

• For information on the rules that apply for Ireland: Click here
• For information on the rules that apply for Sweden: Click here

Authorised Pet Travel Scheme Carriers

• For the latest information from DEFRA regarding UK airports and airlines and the transport of pets: Click here

Some airlines accept animals up to a certain weight/size as "hand baggage" and some have facilities for animals to travel in a pressurised hold. All animals must travel in appropriate cages or containers; each carrier has specific criteria, therefore it is recommended to consult them well in advance. Prior booking is essential and there is always a charge for the travelling animal.

Related Information

• Information regarding Cypriot regulations on the importation of animals, cats, dogs and birds from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Click here
• Information regarding transporting pets between EU member states from the European Union: Click here
• Information from Paphiakos & C.C.P. Animal Welfare on importing and exporting domestic pets to and from Cyprus: Click here

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