Bringing Pets To: Cyprus

MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION

• The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccine is administered.
• Each pet must be identified with a microchip that complies with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785.
• The microchip number should be recorded on all documentation of your pet's travel to Cyprus.
• Cyrpus accepts AVID 9 and AVID 10 in addition to ISO.
• No other form of identification is acceptable.

RABIES VACCINE AND CERTIFICATE

• All pets must have an original Rabies Certificate signed by a veterinarian.
• The vaccine must be at least 21 days old during the final health exam and endorsement.
• Pets with a one-year primary or three-year vaccine administered less than a year ago may travel to Cyprus. Otherwise, the vaccine may be considered a booster.
• A licensed veterinarian must issue the rabies certificate and include information about the vaccine manufacturer, lot number, and expiration date.

RECOMMENDED VACCINES

• Dogs should also receive the Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus (DHLPP), and Bordetella vaccines.
• Cats should also receive the Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccine.
• All vaccines should be valid at the time of import and administered no less than two weeks before the export date for maximum effectiveness.

EU Health Certificate

Your dedicated relocation coordinator will provide you with an EU Health Certificate that your accredited veterinarian must fill out and sign in a different color ink than the certificate's printing, usually blue ink. This certificate is valid for ten days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the checks at the EU point of entry. If you plan to travel further within the EU, don't hesitate to contact us for additional guidance.

USDA Endorsements

To ensure compliance with the USDA regulations, the following forms below must be sent to your local USDA for approval. 

• Microchip Implantation Record
• Rabies Certificate
• EU Vet Health Certificate
• Airline Health Certificate

It's important to note that these forms should be readily available from your vet, but it's recommended to call ahead and confirm availability.

• Remember that your vet must complete the EU Health Certificate within ten days of departure.
• However, please note that this timeframe changes within the context of a commercial move, where additional requirements may apply.
• Read below for more information on the 5-day rule and commercial move requirements.

EU 5-Day Rule

If your dog or cat is being transported "non-commercially," they must fly within five days of their owner.

If you cannot meet this 5-Day Rule, the move can still be carried out, but it will be considered a commercial move, which increases costs and changes the EU import requirements and timeline. In such cases, you will need to meet stricter import requirements. 

Banned breeds in Cyprus

Not all dog breeds are allowed in this country. You may not be able to bring your pet if they are one of the following breeds (or a mix of one):

• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Dogo Argentino
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• English Bull Terrier
• Rottweiler
• Akita Inu
• Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
• Tosa Inu

*Pets under 15 weeks old and those without a rabies vaccine will also not be allowed for import.

Unlisted Countries and Additional Requirements

If you come from an "unlisted country," your pet will need a rabies antibody test, also known as a titer. In this case, you must follow the below steps:

• Microchip and rabies vaccination (at least 30 days old before blood draw)
• Rabies antibody test performed by an accredited veterinarian and sent to an EU-approved laboratory.
• Before completing export paperwork, you must wait 90 days after the blood draw (assuming a passing result).

Find out if your origin country is listed here.