Bringing a pet to Cyprus

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Cyprus enforces strict, origin-dependent entry rules for dogs, cats, and ferrets. Pets from EU-listed countries face relatively straightforward requirements, while those from high-rabies-risk third countries must undergo rabies serology testing and a three-month waiting period before travel. There is no routine quarantine for compliant pets, but non-compliant arrivals may be quarantined or refused entry.

Requirements for your pet

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

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 in the country of origin · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Cyprus does not have a national breed ban, but some airlines may restrict brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Bulldogs, Pugs) during hot months. Check with your carrier.

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • EU health certificate (Annex IV) completed within 10 days of entry
  • Pet passport (if from EU/EEA country)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Cyprus Veterinary Services.

No additional requirements for free-origin dogs beyond standard EU rules.

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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Cyprus does not have a national breed ban, but some airlines may restrict brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Bulldogs, Pugs) during hot months. Check with your carrier.

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • EU health certificate (Annex IV) completed within 10 days of entry
  • Pet passport (if from EU/EEA country)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Cyprus Veterinary Services.

Low-risk origin dogs follow the same rules as free-origin dogs under EU scheme.

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)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian in the country of origin · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Breed restrictions

Cyprus does not have a national breed ban, but some airlines may restrict brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Bulldogs, Pugs) during hot months. Check with your carrier.

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • FAVN titer test certificate (≥0.5 IU/ml, sample taken ≥30 days post-vaccination and ≥3 months before entry)
  • Import permit from Cyprus Veterinary Services
  • EU health certificate (Annex IV) completed within 10 days of entry

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Cyprus Veterinary Services.

Import permit must be applied for at least 30 days before travel. No quarantine if all requirements met.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

Under EU rules, you may bring up to 5 dogs per person without commercial import requirements. If you bring more than 5, commercial rules apply, requiring additional paperwork and possible customs duties.
No. The US and UK are classified as low-risk rabies countries. A rabies titer test is not required for dogs from these origins. It is only required for dogs from high-risk (non-EU listed) countries.
No. Cyprus does not recognize emotional support animals as exempt from standard pet import rules. Your dog must meet all microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements regardless of its role.
The rabies vaccination must be valid on the day of entry. If it expires, you need a booster and then wait 21 days before travel. The booster must be given after the microchip is implanted.
Yes. The puppy must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the rabies vaccination, and then you must wait 21 days after that vaccination before travel. So the minimum age at entry is 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days).
Yes. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries require an import permit from the Cyprus Veterinary Services. Apply at least 30 days before travel. The permit is issued after reviewing the FAVN titer test results and other documents.
No. Dogs must enter through an approved Traveler's Point of Entry: Larnaca International Airport, Paphos International Airport, or the port of Limassol. Entry at other points may be refused.

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

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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • EU health certificate (Annex IV) or equivalent
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and destination agency.

Cats from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican) follow same rules as EU intra-union travel.

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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • EU health certificate (Annex IV) or equivalent
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and destination agency.

Cats from low-risk countries (e.g. USA, UK, Japan) must enter via an EU-approved Traveller's Point of Entry.

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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • FAVN titer test result
  • Import permit from Cyprus Veterinary Services
  • EU health certificate (Annex IV) or equivalent
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary. Confirm current prices with a local vet and destination agency.

Cats from high-risk countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia) require a FAVN titer test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, an import permit, and a 3-month waiting period after the titer test.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but only if the cat fits in a soft-sided carrier that stows under the seat (max dimensions vary by airline, typically 45x35x20 cm). The cat must be at least 8 weeks old. Check with your airline for specific cabin pet policies and fees (usually €50-150 each way).
You may bring up to 5 cats as a non-commercial traveller. If you bring more than 5, commercial rules apply, requiring a veterinary certificate of origin and an import permit, and the animals must be at least 6 months old.
No. The US is classified as a low-risk country, so no FAVN titer test is required. Your cat needs a microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), and an EU health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
No. Emotional support animals are not exempt from standard pet import requirements. Your cat must still meet all microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if from a high-risk country) titer test and import permit rules. Service dogs may have different rules, but not cats.
The rabies vaccination must be valid (not expired) on the day of travel. If it expires before departure, your cat must be revaccinated and you must wait 21 days from the new vaccination date before entering Cyprus. A booster given before the expiry date is considered continuous coverage.
Yes, but the EU Pet Passport (issued by an EU vet) serves as the health certificate. If your cat has a valid EU Pet Passport with up-to-date rabies vaccination, no additional health certificate is needed. For non-EU countries, an EU health certificate (Annex IV) is required.
No quarantine is required for cats from any country if all import requirements are met. If paperwork is incomplete, the cat may be held at the airport or a designated facility until documents are verified or corrected, which could take 1-3 days at your expense.

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

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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccination date, and validity)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (model for non-commercial movement within EU)
  • Microchip proof (date of implantation before rabies vaccination)
  • Owner's passport or ID
  • Declaration of non-commercial movement

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$30-80, EU health certificate issue fee ~$50-150 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the Cyprus Veterinary Services.

Ferrets from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican) follow same rules as EU intra-union movement.

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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccination date, and validity)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (model for non-commercial movement from third country)
  • Microchip proof (date of implantation before rabies vaccination)
  • Owner's passport or ID
  • Declaration of non-commercial movement

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$30-80, EU health certificate issue fee ~$50-150 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the Cyprus Veterinary Services.

Ferrets from low-risk third countries (e.g. USA, UK, Japan, Australia) require an EU health certificate endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country.

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 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccination date, and validity)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (model for non-commercial movement from third country)
  • Microchip proof (date of implantation before rabies vaccination)
  • Rabies titer test (FAVN) certificate from EU-approved lab
  • Import permit from Cyprus Veterinary Services
  • Owner's passport or ID
  • Declaration of non-commercial movement

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$30-80, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the Cyprus Veterinary Services.

Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries must have a negative FAVN titer test and an import permit issued by Cyprus Veterinary Services. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes. For ferrets arriving from a high-risk rabies country, a FAVN titer test is mandatory. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and sent to an EU-approved laboratory. The result must show an antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
You may bring up to 5 ferrets under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, the movement is considered commercial and you must comply with EU commercial import regulations, including additional paperwork and possible quarantine.
No. Cyprus does not grant any exemptions for emotional support or service ferrets. They must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit requirements as any other pet ferret.
No. All ferrets entering Cyprus must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is given.
The rabies vaccination must be administered at least 21 days before arrival in Cyprus. The ferret must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination.
No. There is no quarantine requirement for ferrets entering Cyprus from any tier, provided all documentation (microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and if required, titer test and import permit) is in order.
The EU Animal Health Certificate must be issued within 10 days of the date of entry into Cyprus. It must be endorsed by an official veterinarian of the competent authority in the origin country.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped (ISO 11784/11785 compliant) and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. For pets from non-EU high-risk countries, an official EU health certificate and a rabies antibody titration test (at least 30 days post-vaccination) are mandatory, with a 3-month wait after the blood draw.

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 Cyprus, 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 Cyprus's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.