Bringing a pet to Syria

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Syria applies a uniform set of pet-dog import rules regardless of the origin country's rabies status. In practice, authorities require an ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination, and an international health certificate. No routine quarantine is imposed for dogs with valid documentation. Border veterinarians may exercise discretion and request a rabies titer test or short observation, but these are not codified as universal requirements. Advance confirmation with the Syrian embassy or the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform is strongly advised.

Requirements for your pet

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

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 private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Syria does not publish a breed ban list for dogs. However, some airlines flying to Damascus (e.g., Syrian Air, Cham Wings) may refuse brachycephalic breeds (e.g., pugs, bulldogs, boxers) or snub-nosed dogs due to respiratory risks during transport. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and valid for at least 1 year
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip (or clearly readable microchip number on certificate)
  • Owner's passport and travel documents

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, possible border veterinary fee ~$10–50. Prices vary; confirm with a local vet and the Syrian embassy.

No quarantine for dogs from rabies-free origins. Border officials may request a titer test at their discretion, but it is not a published requirement.

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 private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Syria does not publish a breed ban list for dogs. However, some airlines flying to Damascus (e.g., Syrian Air, Cham Wings) may refuse brachycephalic breeds (e.g., pugs, bulldogs, boxers) or snub-nosed dogs due to respiratory risks during transport. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and valid for at least 1 year
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip (or clearly readable microchip number on certificate)
  • Owner's passport and travel documents

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, possible border veterinary fee ~$10–50. Prices vary; confirm with a local vet and the Syrian embassy.

Same requirements as for rabies-free origins. No quarantine. Some border officers may ask for a rabies titer test, but it is not a published rule.

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 private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Syria does not publish a breed ban list for dogs. However, some airlines flying to Damascus (e.g., Syrian Air, Cham Wings) may refuse brachycephalic breeds (e.g., pugs, bulldogs, boxers) or snub-nosed dogs due to respiratory risks during transport. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and valid for at least 1 year
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip (or clearly readable microchip number on certificate)
  • Owner's passport and travel documents

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, possible border veterinary fee ~$10–50. Prices vary; confirm with a local vet and the Syrian embassy.

Syria does not officially differentiate high-risk origins for dogs. No quarantine is imposed if rabies vaccination and health certificate are in order. Border veterinarians may exercise discretion and require a titer test or short observation; be prepared with extra documentation.

Frequently asked questions

Syria does not publish a specific numeric limit for non-commercial pet dogs. In practice, 1–2 dogs per traveller are routinely accepted. Bringing more than 3 dogs may trigger commercial import rules and require additional permits from the Ministry of Agriculture. Confirm with the Syrian embassy before travelling with multiple dogs.
No. Syria does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from standard import requirements. All dogs must have a microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and a health certificate. Service dogs may be allowed in the cabin by some airlines, but they still must meet Syrian animal health rules on arrival.
No, a rabies titer test is not a published requirement for dogs entering Syria, regardless of origin country. However, border veterinarians have discretionary authority and may request proof of adequate rabies antibodies. If you want to avoid any risk of delay, you can have a FAVN test done at least 30 days after vaccination and carry the result.
There is no routine quarantine for dogs arriving in Syria with a valid rabies vaccination certificate and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. If documentation is missing or expired, the dog may be held at the border for veterinary inspection or denied entry. Quarantine is not standard practice.
You need: (1) a rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and valid for at least 1 year, (2) an international health certificate issued by an official veterinarian within 10 days of arrival, (3) proof of an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, and (4) your own passport and travel documents. Some travellers also carry a copy of the dog's vaccination history and a photo of the dog.
Yes, but the same rules apply as from any other country: microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and a health certificate within 10 days. Syria does not impose additional quarantine or titer test requirements based on the origin country's rabies status. However, border officials may be more cautious; ensure all documents are complete and consider carrying a titer test result if available.
Syria does not have a national breed ban. However, airlines serving Damascus (e.g., Syrian Air, Cham Wings) often refuse to carry brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers due to breathing risks during flight. Check with your airline before booking. On arrival, no breed-specific rules are enforced by Syrian customs or veterinary authorities.

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

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 (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel (or current booster)
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Prices vary; confirm with a local vet and Syrian authorities.

Syria does not publish a formal tiered system. In practice, cats from countries with negligible rabies risk (e.g., Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City) face minimal requirements: proof of rabies vaccination, a recent health certificate, and a microchip. No quarantine is imposed.

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 (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel (or current booster)
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Prices vary; confirm with a local vet and Syrian authorities.

Cats from low-risk countries (e.g., most of Europe, US, UK, Japan, Australia) are generally allowed entry with proof of rabies vaccination and a recent health certificate. No quarantine or titer test is routinely required. Ensure the rabies vaccine is current (boosters within 1–3 years depending on vaccine type).

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 (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel (or current booster)
  • FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Import permit issued by the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit fee ~$50–150 (varies). No quarantine fee if documents are in order. Prices vary; confirm with a local vet and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

Cats from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) must have a valid rabies titer test and an import permit from the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform obtained prior to travel. No quarantine is imposed if all documents are in order, but failure to present a titer test or permit may result in quarantine or refusal of entry. Allow at least 3–4 months to complete the titer test and permit process.

Frequently asked questions

Syrian regulations do not specify a strict numerical limit for non-commercial pet cats. In practice, bringing more than 2–3 cats may be considered commercial import and require additional permits and inspections. For personal pets, keep the number small (1–2) and ensure each has its own documentation. If you plan to bring more, contact the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in advance.
No. Syria does not recognize emotional support or service animals as exempt from standard import requirements. All cats, regardless of their role, must meet the same rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and permit rules. Airlines may have their own policies for cabin travel, but Syrian border authorities will require full compliance.
Yes. If your cat is coming from a country classified as high-risk for rabies (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa), you must have a FAVN or RFFIT test performed at an approved laboratory. The test must be done at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel, with a result of 0.5 IU/ml or higher. This is not required for cats from low-risk or free-tier countries.
The international health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Syria. It must be signed by an official government veterinarian of the origin country. If your travel is delayed beyond 10 days, you will need a new certificate.
No. Syria requires that all cats be identified with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. If your cat does not have one, it must be implanted before rabies vaccination and before the health certificate is issued. The microchip number must appear on all documents.
No quarantine is imposed for cats entering Syria if all required documentation (rabies vaccination, health certificate, and for high-risk origins, titer test and import permit) is complete and valid. However, if documents are missing or invalid, Syrian authorities may place the cat in quarantine at the owner's expense or refuse entry.
You must apply to the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in Damascus. The process typically requires a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate, titer test result, and microchip details. Allow at least 4–6 weeks for processing. The permit is usually valid for a specific period (e.g., 30–60 days) and must be presented at the border. Contact the Syrian embassy or consulate in your country for the most current application procedure and fees.

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

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, endorsed by the national veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK). Must be stamped and signed within 10 days of travel. · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785) or clear identification
  • Import declaration form (to be completed upon arrival)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import declaration fee ~$10-30. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

Syria does not maintain a published list of rabies-free countries. In practice, ferrets from countries with negligible rabies risk (e.g., Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City) are processed similarly to low-risk origins, but Syrian customs may still require a rabies vaccination certificate. Ferrets are not recognised as pets under some Syrian regulations; confirm acceptance with the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture before 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 veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK). Must be stamped and signed within 10 days of travel. · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785) or clear identification
  • Import declaration form (to be completed upon arrival)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import declaration fee ~$10-30. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

Syria does not publish a formal pet import scheme for ferrets. Requirements are enforced at the discretion of border veterinary officials. A rabies vaccination certificate and health certificate are routinely requested. Ferrets may be subject to additional scrutiny as they are not commonly imported.

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, endorsed by the national veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK). Must be stamped and signed within 10 days of travel. · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
  • FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml, taken at least 90 days before travel)
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Import permit issued by the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture (apply at least 30 days in advance)
  • Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785) or clear identification
  • Import declaration form (to be completed upon arrival)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100 (varies), import declaration fee ~$10-30. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

Syria does not publish a formal high-risk country list. In practice, ferrets from countries where rabies is endemic (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) are subject to stricter requirements, including a titer test and import permit. The import permit must be obtained from the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture before travel. Quarantine may be imposed at the discretion of border officials, but is not routinely required if all documents are in order.

Frequently asked questions

Syria does not have a published pet import scheme that explicitly covers ferrets. In practice, ferrets are allowed entry at the discretion of border veterinary officials, provided they have a valid rabies vaccination certificate, a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, and a microchip. Ferrets are not listed as prohibited animals, but you should confirm acceptance with the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture before travel.
A valid rabies vaccination is required. The vaccine must be given at least 21 days before travel and the certificate must be current. Other vaccinations (e.g., distemper) are not required by Syrian authorities but are recommended for the ferret's health.
If your ferret is travelling from a high-risk rabies country (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a rabies titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) is required. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel, and the result must be ≥0.5 IU/ml. For low-risk or rabies-free origins, a titer test is not required.
Yes, if your ferret is coming from a high-risk rabies country. You must apply for an import permit from the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture at least 30 days before travel. For low-risk or rabies-free origins, an import permit is not required.
Syria does not specify a maximum number for non-commercial pet imports. However, if you are bringing more than 5 ferrets, they may be considered a commercial shipment and subject to additional requirements, including a commercial import permit and veterinary inspection fees. It is advisable to contact the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture for guidance if you plan to bring multiple ferrets.
No. Syria does not recognise emotional support or service animals as exempt from import requirements. All ferrets, regardless of their role, must meet the same entry conditions: rabies vaccination, health certificate, and microchip. If travelling from a high-risk country, a titer test and import permit are also required. Airlines may have their own policies for service animals in the cabin, but Syrian border rules apply equally.
Costs vary. A microchip costs about $30-50, a health certificate $100-200, a rabies titer test $100-250 (if required), and an import permit $50-100 (if required). There may also be an import declaration fee of $10-30 upon arrival. These are rough estimates; confirm current prices with a local vet and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

Good to know

Syria does not publish detailed pet-import regulations online in English. In practice, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (Damascus) and border veterinary officers apply a standard set of requirements: ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination, and an international health certificate. No quarantine is imposed for dogs with valid documentation. Some travellers report that a rabies titer test or import permit may be requested at the discretion of the border vet, but these are not codified as universal requirements. Verify current rules with the Syrian embassy in your origin country 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 Syria, 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 Syria's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.