Bringing a pet to Albania

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Albania applies a single set of core rules for dogs entering from any origin: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and an official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. There is no routine quarantine, no rabies titer test, and no import permit for standard pet dogs. The main practical friction is paperwork and inconsistent checks at Tirana (TIA); confirm current requirements with Albania's veterinary authority and your airline before booking.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Albania.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (or USDA/APHIS-accredited veterinarian for the US, or equivalent competent authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO-compliant microchip (or legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011 and still readable)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and valid at entry
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Pet passport (for EU-origin pets) or equivalent official health certificate

Rough budget

Approximate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test, permit, or quarantine fee applies for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Albanian veterinary authority.

No quarantine, titer test, or import permit for a standard pet dog. The 21-day rabies wait starts from the first valid rabies vaccination; a vaccine given before the microchip is not valid for travel.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (or USDA/APHIS-accredited veterinarian for the US, or equivalent competent authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO-compliant microchip (or legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011 and still readable)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and valid at entry
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Pet passport (for EU-origin pets) or equivalent official health certificate

Rough budget

Approximate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test, permit, or quarantine fee applies for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Albanian veterinary authority.

Albania does not require a rabies titer test or import permit for dogs from low-risk origins such as the US, UK, Japan, or Australia. Some airlines flying to Tirana may require additional documentation or a fit-to-fly certificate.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (or USDA/APHIS-accredited veterinarian for the US, or equivalent competent authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO-compliant microchip
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and valid at entry
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Rabies titer test result (optional, not mandatory)

Rough budget

Approximate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. A FAVN titer test is optional, not required, and if chosen typically costs ~$100-250. No permit or quarantine fee applies. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Albanian veterinary authority.

Albania does not impose mandatory quarantine or a mandatory titer test on dogs from high-risk rabies countries, provided the dog has a valid microchip, a current rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an official health certificate. Border officials may scrutinise documentation more closely, and some airlines may refuse carriage or require additional health checks.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

No. Albania does not require a rabies titer (FAVN) test for dogs from any origin, including high-risk rabies countries. The requirements are a valid microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an official health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. A titer test is optional and may help if your vaccination paperwork is unclear.
No. Albania does not impose quarantine on dogs with a valid microchip, current rabies vaccination, and an official veterinary health certificate. There is no 30-day, 90-day, or 6-month quarantine for standard pet dogs. If your dog arrives without the required documents, entry may be refused or the animal may be held at your expense until the situation is resolved.
Albania does not publish a strict numeric cap for non-commercial pet movement, but up to 5 dogs per traveller is generally treated as non-commercial. Bringing more than 5 dogs may trigger commercial import rules, which require additional veterinary certification and possibly an import permit. If you are moving with more than 5 dogs, contact the Albanian veterinary authority in advance.
No. Albania does not exempt emotional support animals or service dogs from the standard import requirements. Your dog still needs an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an official health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. Airlines may have their own policies for service dogs in the cabin, but the country's veterinary import rules apply regardless.
Carry the original rabies vaccination certificate (showing the microchip number, vaccine date, and validity), the official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, and proof of microchip. If your pet has an EU pet passport, that is accepted. Albanian officials may also ask for the dog's identification and may inspect the animal. Keep copies in case the originals are retained.
No. Albania does not require an import permit for standard pet dogs entering for non-commercial purposes, regardless of the origin country's rabies status. You do not need to apply to the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture or the State Veterinary Service in advance for a pet dog. If you are importing dogs commercially or in large numbers, a permit and additional veterinary certification may be required.
Albania does not maintain a national breed ban list for dogs entering the country. However, some airlines refuse to carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers on certain routes or in cargo, especially in summer. Check with your airline before booking, as carrier rules can be stricter than Albanian law.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Albania.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the national veterinary authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not expired
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip identification (ISO 11784/11785) or legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011
  • EU pet passport (for EU-origin pets) or equivalent national pet passport

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only; verify locally. Microchip ~€30–50, health certificate ~€50–150, rabies vaccination ~€20–50. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine applies for free-tier origins. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (AKU).

Free-tier origins (e.g., Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City) are treated as EU-equivalent for rabies risk. Cats must be at least 12 weeks old for rabies vaccination and travel at least 21 days after vaccination.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the national veterinary authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not expired
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip identification (ISO 11784/11785) or legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011
  • EU pet passport (for EU-origin pets) or equivalent national pet passport

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only; verify locally. Microchip ~€30–50, health certificate ~€50–150, rabies vaccination ~€20–50. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine applies for low-risk origins. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (AKU).

Low-risk origins include most of Europe, the US, UK, Japan, Australia, and other countries with controlled rabies status. Cats must be at least 12 weeks old for rabies vaccination and travel at least 21 days after vaccination.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the national veterinary authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and not expired
  • FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an EU-approved laboratory
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip identification (ISO 11784/11785) or legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011
  • EU pet passport (for EU-origin pets) or equivalent national pet passport

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only; verify locally. Microchip ~€30–50, health certificate ~€50–150, rabies vaccination ~€20–50, FAVN titer test ~€100–250 (plus shipping to EU lab). No import permit or quarantine applies. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (AKU).

High-risk origins are those flagged by the CDC for dog rabies (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East). Cats from these countries require a rabies titer test. Cats must be at least 12 weeks old for rabies vaccination and travel at least 21 days after vaccination.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Albania does not publish a specific numeric limit for non-commercial pet cats. In practice, up to 5 cats per traveller are generally accepted under non-commercial rules, consistent with EU norms. If you bring more than 5, the shipment may be treated as commercial, requiring additional veterinary certifications and possibly an import permit. Confirm with the Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (AKU) before travelling with a larger number.
No. Albania does not exempt emotional support or service cats from standard import requirements. All cats, regardless of function, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (for high-risk origins) titer test rules. Airlines may have their own policies for cabin travel, but the country's veterinary import rules apply equally.
A cat must be at least 12 weeks old to receive a rabies vaccination, and then must wait 21 days after vaccination before travel. So the practical minimum age for entry is 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days). Kittens younger than this cannot meet the rabies vaccination requirement and are not allowed entry.
It depends on the origin country. For free-tier and low-risk origins (e.g., EU countries, US, UK, Japan, Australia), no titer test is required. For high-risk origins (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a FAVN or RFFIT test is required, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, performed at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel.
No. Albania does not require an import permit for non-commercial pet cats, regardless of origin. You only need the standard documentation: microchip, rabies vaccination certificate, health certificate, and (for high-risk origins) a titer test result.
You need an official veterinary health certificate issued by a government veterinarian or an accredited veterinarian endorsed by the national veterinary authority of the origin country. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel and confirm that the cat is healthy and free of infectious diseases. For EU-origin pets, an EU pet passport can serve as the health certificate.
No. Albania does not impose breed restrictions on cats. All breeds are allowed, provided they meet the standard import requirements. However, some airlines may have their own restrictions on brachycephalic breeds for cargo transport, so check with your carrier.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Albania.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and still valid
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip (or legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011)
  • Owner's passport or ID for non-commercial movement

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No import permit or titer test is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (AKU) before travel.

Albania aligns with EU Pet Travel Scheme rules for non-commercial movement. Ferrets are listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 998/2013 (as amended) and are subject to the same rabies vaccination and microchip requirements as dogs and cats. No quarantine for ferrets from free-tier origins.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and still valid
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip (or legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011)
  • Owner's passport or ID for non-commercial movement

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No import permit or titer test is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (AKU) before travel.

Albania applies the same rules for ferrets from low-risk (non-EU) countries as for free-tier origins. No rabies titer test or import permit is required for non-commercial movement. The pet must be accompanied by its owner or a person authorised in writing by the owner.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and still valid
  • FAVN rabies titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory (≥0.5 IU/ml)
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip (or legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011)
  • Owner's passport or ID for non-commercial movement

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250. No import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (AKU) before travel.

For ferrets from high-risk countries (CDC-flagged for dog rabies), Albania requires a valid rabies titer test (FAVN) with a result ≥0.5 IU/ml from an EU-approved laboratory. The test must be done at least 30 days after vaccination and the animal must wait 90 days from the date of blood sampling before entering Albania. No quarantine is imposed if all documentation is in order. Ferrets are not subject to the EU's tapeworm treatment requirement (that applies only to dogs).

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, ferrets are allowed into Albania for non-commercial movement. They are treated similarly to dogs and cats under Albanian veterinary rules, which align with the EU Pet Travel Scheme. You will need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and an official health certificate. No quarantine is required if all documents are in order.
It depends on the country you are travelling from. If your ferret is coming from a high-risk country for dog rabies (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, the Middle East), a FAVN rabies titer test is required. The test must be done at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before entry, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml from an EU-approved laboratory. Ferrets from low-risk or free-tier countries do not need a titer test.
Albanian regulations do not set a specific numerical limit for ferrets, but non-commercial movement generally applies to a maximum of five pets per traveller. If you are bringing more than five ferrets, the shipment may be considered commercial and would require additional veterinary import permits and compliance with trade rules. Confirm with the Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (AKU) if you plan to bring more than five.
No. Albania does not exempt emotional support animals or service animals from standard import requirements. All ferrets, regardless of their role, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test rules. There is no special lane or waiver for assistance animals.
A ferret must be at least 12 weeks (3 months) old and have a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before travel. If the ferret is from a high-risk country and requires a titer test, it must be at least 15 weeks old at the time of blood sampling (12 weeks + 30 days) and then wait an additional 90 days before entry, making the minimum age for entry from high-risk countries approximately 7 months.
You need: (1) a rabies vaccination certificate showing the vaccine was given at least 21 days before travel and is still valid; (2) an official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by a government or accredited veterinarian; (3) proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip; (4) for high-risk origins, a FAVN titer test result from an EU-approved lab; and (5) your passport or ID as the owner. No import permit is required for non-commercial movement.
No, there is no quarantine for ferrets entering Albania if all required documentation is complete and valid. However, if the animal arrives without proper paperwork or fails to meet the requirements, Albanian authorities may impose quarantine or refuse entry. Always verify current rules with the Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (AKU) before travelling.

Good to know

Albania is not an EU member state but aligns closely with EU pet-movement practice for dogs, cats, and ferrets. The competent authority is the Albanian Food Safety and Veterinary Institute / State Veterinary Service, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Verify the latest requirements directly with that authority or your airline before travel.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Albania, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Albania's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.