Bringing a pet to Syria

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

Syria's pet import rules are not uniform; they depend on the rabies-risk category of the origin country. For pets from higher-risk areas, expect stricter requirements including mandatory rabies antibody titers and possible quarantine. Overall, the process is moderately strict, and quarantine is applied on a case-by-case basis for pets not meeting entry conditions.

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

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

No additional requirements for dogs from rabies-free origins.

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
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

No additional requirements for dogs from low-risk origins.

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
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

No additional requirements for dogs from high-risk origins.

Frequently asked questions

No, Syria does not require a rabies titer (FAVN) test for dogs from any origin country. A valid rabies vaccination with a 21-day wait after the primary shot is sufficient.
No, Syria does not impose any quarantine on dogs arriving from any country. Your dog can proceed directly after clearing customs with the required documents.
Syria does not specify a strict limit for non-commercial pet imports, but bringing more than 2-3 dogs may trigger commercial import rules. Check with the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture if you plan to bring multiple animals.
No, Syria does not grant any exemptions for emotional support or service dogs. They must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements as any other pet dog.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of your dog's arrival in Syria. It should be signed by an official government veterinarian.
Syria requires ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchips. If your dog has a non-ISO chip, you must bring your own scanner or have the chip replaced with an ISO chip before travel.
You need the rabies vaccination certificate, a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, and proof of microchip implantation. All documents should be in Arabic or accompanied by a certified translation.

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 (e.g., USDA, DEFRA, or equivalent) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Valid passport or travel document for the cat (if applicable)

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 Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

No rabies titer test or import permit required. No quarantine upon arrival.

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 (e.g., USDA, DEFRA, or equivalent) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Valid passport or travel document for the cat (if applicable)

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 Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

No rabies titer test or import permit required. No quarantine upon arrival.

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 (e.g., USDA, DEFRA, or equivalent) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • ISO microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • Rabies titer test (FAVN) certificate with result ≥0.5 IU/ml
  • Import permit from Syrian Ministry of Agriculture
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Valid passport or travel document for the cat (if applicable)

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 Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

Rabies titer test and import permit required. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Frequently asked questions

Syria generally allows up to 2 cats per person for non-commercial import without triggering commercial rules. If you bring more than 2, you may need to follow commercial import procedures and pay customs duties. Confirm with the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture before travel.
Syria does not issue or recognize EU-style pet passports. You must use an official health certificate issued by a government veterinarian in the origin country, plus a rabies vaccination certificate. The health certificate must be in Arabic or accompanied by a certified Arabic translation.
No. Syria does not recognize emotional support or service animals as exempt from standard import rules. All cats must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if from a high-risk country) titer test and import permit requirements.
If the FAVN test result is below 0.5 IU/ml, your cat is not considered adequately vaccinated. You must revaccinate and wait at least 30 days before repeating the titer test. Only proceed with travel once the result is ≥0.5 IU/ml.
Most airlines allow cats in the cabin if the carrier fits under the seat (weight limit typically 8 kg including carrier). Checked baggage is also possible for larger cats. Brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Persians, Himalayans) may face carrier-specific restrictions due to breathing risks — check with your airline directly.
No. Import permits are only required for cats arriving from high-risk rabies countries. For free and low-risk origins, a valid health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate are sufficient.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Syria. If your travel is delayed, you may need a new certificate. Always check with the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture for the most current validity period.

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

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

Syria does not publish specific ferret import rules online. Requirements are based on general pet import practice for rabies-controlled origins. Contact the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (Directorate of Animal Health) 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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

Same as free tier. No additional requirements for low-risk origins. Contact the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (Directorate of Animal Health) before travel.

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
30 days
Mandatory quarantine at a government facility near Damascus. Owner pays all costs. Conditions are basic — no climate control guaranteed. Confirm availability with the Ministry of Agriculture before travel.
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/mL)
  • Import permit from Syrian Ministry of Agriculture

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN test ~$100-250, import permit ~$50-100, quarantine ~$200-500 for 30 days. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Quarantine is mandatory for high-risk origins. Contact the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (Directorate of Animal Health) well in advance.

Frequently asked questions

Syria does not have a published ban on ferrets as pets. No breed-specific restrictions for ferrets are known. However, local customs may treat ferrets as exotic animals — confirm with the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture before travel.
Syria does not specify a numeric limit for non-commercial pet movement. In practice, up to 5 pets per person is generally accepted as personal baggage. If you bring more than 5, commercial import rules may apply — contact the Ministry of Agriculture for clarification.
No. Syria does not recognize emotional support animals or service ferrets under any exemption. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if from a high-risk origin) titer test and import permit requirements.
The ferret will likely be refused entry or placed in quarantine until a compatible scanner can be found — which may take days. Only ISO 11784/11785 microchips are accepted. If your ferret has a different chip, you must have it re-chipped with an ISO chip before travel.
No. Rabies vaccination is required and cannot be given before 12 weeks of age. After vaccination, a 21-day wait period applies. The minimum age for entry is therefore about 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days). No exceptions are known.
Most international flights to Damascus transit through Beirut, Dubai, or Istanbul. If you transit, ensure your ferret meets the transit country's rules (e.g., EU transit requires EU health certificate). Check with the airline for pet-in-cabin or cargo policies.
You need: a valid rabies vaccination certificate, a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by an official veterinarian, proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785), and if from a high-risk origin, a FAVN titer test result and an import permit. All documents should be in Arabic or accompanied by a certified Arabic translation.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip and have a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days before travel. Health certificates must be issued by an official veterinarian within 10 days of departure and endorsed by the Syrian embassy or consulate in the country of origin.

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.