Non-commercial ‘companion animals’, defined as cats, dogs and ferrets meeting all requirements can travel between EU member states if accompanied by an EU Pet Passport (EUPP). The EU Pet Passport has been designed to last the lifetime of the animal. It contains details of the pet owner and the animal, including its microchip or identification details and vaccination records. The Pet Passport is issued and kept up to date by your vet.

The Pet Passport is only used for pets travelling between Member States of the European Union. It simplifies the arrival process, as all the relevant and up-to-date information will be documented by your vet in a format accepted throughout the EU.
You may travel with up to five domestic pets. No animal under three months of age may travel (for humane reasons). The animal must be accompanied by its owner or a person who is responsible for it at the time of importation.

Airlines require assurance that your pet is healthy enough to fly. Therefore a vet must inspect your pet no more than 72 hours prior to the flight. The vet must then issue a ‘fitness to fly’ (or private health) certificate. This is a document/letter describing your pet(s) and confirming that on the date they were examined they were deemed to be free of clinical signs of disease and of a satisfactory condition to be transported by air. It should state the name of the owner and address, the destination airport and final destination address.

In order to obtain a Pet Passport in the UK, and to satisfy the Cyprus authorities when your pet arrives, you must arrange the following before the pet leaves the UK:

Vaccinations:
Rabies is the only vaccination required for travelling into Cyprus. This needs to be administered at least 30 days prior, but not more than one year before arrival in Cyprus. When travelling, you must ensure that the rabies vaccination in the passport is valid, or you must renew your pet's vaccination.

Flea, tick and worm treatment:
This must be given up to a maximum of 48 hours before arriving and should be noted on the certificate by the administering vet. If this treatment has not been performed your pet will be subject to one month in quarantine from the date of import.

Identification:
Any animal entering Cyprus must be identified by an electronic identification system (microchip), or by a clearly readable tattoo. The tattoo will only be accepted as a means of identification until 3 July 2011.

Authorities in Cyprus:
You must inform the District Veterinary Station at least 48 hours before the animal's arrival and supply the office with the date, time, location (port or airport) and number of the flight or ship on which the animal will be carried. You also need to provide the address of your residence in Cyprus.

• Larnaca District Veterinary Station
  Tel:+357-24 304275/6 
  Fax: +357-24 304270 
   
• Lemessos (Limassol) District Veterinary Station
  Tel:+357-25 819512 
  Fax: +357-25 306544 
   
• Paphos District Veterinary Station
  Tel: +357-26 306269 
  Fax: +357-26 306198 
   
• Lefkosia (Nicosia) District Veterinary Station
  Tel: +357-22 805240/1 
  Fax: +357-22 805174 
  

The following breeds of dog are not allowed to enter Cyprus: 

• American Pit Bull/Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Argentinian Mastiff/Dogo Argentino
• Brazilian Mastiff/Fila Brasileiro

Travel carry case:
Animals travelling to Cyprus by air must be kept in cages that meet IATA specifications. They must be large enough for the animal to stand up without touching the top of the box, lie down comfortably and be able to turn round within the box. There must also be a fixed water container inside the cage with a means of filling it from the outside (e.g. a funnel). Some airlines accept animals up to a certain weight/size as "hand baggage" and some have facilities for animals to travel in a pressurised hold. All animals must travel in appropriate cages or containers; each carrier has specific criteria so please consult them well in advance. Prior booking is essential and there is always a charge for the travelling animal.

On arrival:
You and your animal will be met by the Veterinary Officer or Customs Officer who will check your animal and the paperwork - Pet Passport, Animal Health Certificate, Vaccination certificates for Rabies and any other vaccinations that the animal has been given should be included. 
You will have to pay the officer at this point. During office hours the price is about CY£25 and after hours about CY£35.
If you are not able to be there, a person who is responsible for it must accompany the animal. In case of any difficulty contact the Director of the Department of Veterinary Services.
The Veterinary Officer with check that the animal was:

1. Clinically examined not more than 72 hours prior to exportation and found to be in good health and free from signs of rabies and any other infectious or contagious disease.
2. Kept since birth or for the six months prior to shipment, in the exporting country or at a quarantine depot where no case of rabies was officially reported during the past two years.
3. Vaccinated against rabies not less than one month and not more than one year prior to shipment.
4. Treated for worm, and tapeworms (Echinococcosis/Hydatidosis) within 48 hours prior to shipment.
5. Received insecticidal treatment against ticks and fleas (Ectoparasites) within 48 hours prior to shipment.

Pets not adhering to all of the requirements above may still enter Cyprus, but they will be subject to six months in quarantine and will need an import licence obtained from the Government vet in Limassol. There is a fee for quarantine in government kennels as well as for home quarantine. 

The above information is based on the premise that your pet will not be returning to the UK.

If you require any further information, please contact us.

Important Note
The information on this website is based on our interpretation of the current regulations in Cyprus. Whilst we make every endeavour to provide accurate information, we cannot accept liability for any loss incurred due to inaccuracies or omissions on this website. Prospective buyers are strongly recommended to take independent legal advice before entering into any agreements or parting with any money.