The Veterinary Services Animal Health and welfare Division (AHWD) of the Republic of Cyprus provides all the information you need in PDF format on the website. It is comprehensive, up-to-date and in English. 

The English-language PDFs are available on the topics:

• Accompanying documents' inspection and fees to be paid
• General information for the non-commercial movements of companion animals to Cyprus
• Movement of companion animals originating from third countries
• Non-commercial movement of companion animals from EU member countries

 These documents can be reached from this page of the website:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Veterinary Services 

European Pet Passport

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

Cats, dogs and ferrets meeting all requirements can travel between EU member states if accompanied by an EU Pet Passport (EUPP). 

The EU Pet Passport has been designed to last the lifetime of the animal. It contains details of the pet owner and the animal, including its microchip or identification details and vaccination  records. The Pet Passport is issued and kept up to date by your vet.

• See: European Union website: the rules of transporting pets between EU member states:

Rabies & the EU

Pets' passports are only used for pets travelling between Member States of the European Union. It simplifies the arrival process as all the relevant and up-to-date information will be documented by your vet in a format accepted throughout the EU. The Pet Passport can also be used when travelling from one of the neighbouring countries where the rabies status matches that of EU countries. 

These include: 

• Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State.

There are two possibilities for pets entering Cyprus from any other country:

• Either the pet comes from a country with a favourable situation regarding rabies and animal health (see the Europa website for a list of countries to which this applies).
• Or the pet comes from a country that does not appear on the list, which means that rabies may be endemic among domestic pets in that country. In this case, pets must be vaccinated and tested three months before entering Cyprus, where quarantine will be required.

Regulations for Importing Cats & Dogs to Cyprus

You may travel with up to five domestic pets. No animal under three months of age may travel (for humane reasons).

Before you Leave

Your animal will need its European Pet Passport (if arriving from an EU member state) or an Animal Health Certificate filled in by a qualified vet in the case of an animal from a non-EU country.

Your vet will complete an Animal Health Certificate (either in English or in Greek). If your veterinarian does not have the health certificate, it can be downloaded from the website as a Word document. 

• Downloadable Health Certificates (in English and Greek) available online. Scroll down this page to the heading "Document".

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. When travelling, you must ensure that the rabies vaccination in the passport is valid, or you must renew your pet's vaccination.

Flea, tick and worm treatment: This must be given up to 48 hours before the arriving and should be noted on the certificate by the administering vet. If this treatment has not been performed your pet will be subject to one month in quarantine from the date of import.

Identification: Any animal entering Cyprus must be identified by an electronic identification system (microchip), or by a clearly readable tattoo. The tattoo will only be accepted as a means of identification until 3 July 2011.

Authorities: You must inform the District Veterinary Station at least 48 hours before the animal's arrival and supply the office with the date, time, location (port or airport) and number of the flight or ship on which the animal will be carried.

• Larnaca District Veterinary Station
  Tel:+357-24304275/6 
  Fax: +357-24304270 
  e-mail
• Lemessos (Limassol) District Veterinary Station
  Tel:+357-25819512 
  Fax: +357-25306544 
  e-mail
• Paphos District Veterinary Station
  Tel: +357-26306269 
  Fax: +357-26306198 
  e-mail
• Lefkosia (Nicosia) District Veterinary Station
  Tel: +357-22805240/1 
  Fax: +357-22805174 
  e-mail

Travel carry case: Animals travelling to Cyprus must be kept in cages which meet IATA specifications.

Arriving in Cyprus

On arrival, you and your animal will be met by the Veterinary Officer or Customs Officer who will check your animal and the paperwork:  Pet Passport Animal Health Certificate. Vaccination certificates for Rabies and any other vaccinations which the animal has been given should be included. 

You will have to pay the officer at this point. There are two price bands, one for during office hours and a higher one for after hours. 

If you are not able to be there, the animal must be accompanied by a person who is responsible for it (although an animal may travel unaccompanied on some carriers). In case of any difficulty contact the Director of the Department of Veterinary Services.

The Veterinary Officer with check that the animal was:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Vaccinated against rabies not less than one month and not more that one year prior to shipment.
4. Treated for worm, and tapeworms (Echinococcosis/Hydatidosis) within 48 hours prior to shipment.
5. Received insecticidal treatment against ticks and fleas (Ectoparasites) within 48 hours prior to shipment.

Pets not adhering to all of the requirements above may still enter Cyprus, but they will be subject to six months in quarantine and will need an import licence obtained from the Government vet in Limassol. 

There is a fee for quarantine in government kennels as well as for home quarantine. 

• More information: Click here 

Prohibited Dog Breeds

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

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

Pet Travel Scheme PETS 

PETS is a UK specific pet travel scheme for people travelling with domestic pets: cats and dogs (including assistance dogs) ferrets, pet rabbits and rodents. It does not apply to commercial animals. PETS allows complying animals to leave and re-enter the UK from certain countries without undergoing a quarantine period.

An animal will only be permitted into the PETS scheme if all conditions are met. Conditions are as follows:

• Microchip for proper identification
• Vaccination against rabies
• Blood test to make sure that the vaccine has given it a satisfactory level of rabies protection
• Tick and tapeworm treatment
• EU Pet Passport (in a non-EU listed country, an official third country veterinary certificate)

The UK Government Organisation, DEFRA has comprehensive information on their website. See Pet Travel Scheme PETS  

• Pet Travel Scheme Helpline
  Tel: +44 (0)870 241 1710 (Monday to Friday, 8.30 to 17:30 UK time)

Authorised Pet Travel Scheme Carriers

• This information is changeable. DEFRA has up-to-date details on this page.

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 so please consult them well in advance. Prior booking is essential and there is always a charge for the travelling animal.

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.

• You will find comprehensive information under the heading "Flying to Cyprus with a Pet" on the website PetTravelCyprus

Further Information

More information regarding import regulations for dogs, cats and other species, inspection and quarantine fees and application forms can be obtained (in English) from:

• Animal Health and Welfare Division, Veterinary Services Headquarters 
  At: 1417, Lefkosia (Nicosia) Kipros/Cyprus 
  Tel: +357-22805152/5/253 
  Fax: +357-22805174 
  e-mail

Useful, informative documents (in English) can be downloaded from this page: Veterinary Services

Other useful or relevant information is available from:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Cypriot regulations on the importation of animals, cats, dogs and birds
• European Union website Europa: the rules of transporting pets between EU member states:
• Downloadable Health Certificates (see beneath heading: Documents)
• PetTravelCyprus Comprehensive website on the practical aspects of moving and travelling with your pet 
• DEFRA: General EU Pet Travel information relating to the UK
• Paphiakos & CCP Animal Welfare: information and advice on import and export of domestic pets and animals
  Tel: 26 946 461
  Fax: 26 222 236
  e-mail

Any suggestions for extra information that should be on this page?
Just fill in the form to tell us:

^ Top of Page ^