Bringing Pets to Turkey

By Justin Mays:

Moving but you are worried about bringing your beloved furry companion along? No need to stress or re-home your pets before moving to Turkey. Follow our straightforward guide to importing pets into Turkey.

First, do the research on up-to-date information on import rules, quarantine and health measures. Next, get a pet passport if you don’t have one. This booklet includes information on your pet’s health reports, rabies vaccination records, microchip certificates, import permits, parasite treatments, and FAVN blood test results plus, and it is required for international travel. Also, get your pet’s health certificate and vaccination card or proof of vaccines and deworming. The Veterinary Health and Origin Certificate states that your pet is healthy enough to travel free of zoonotic disease (Zoonotic diseases or zoonoses are caused by germs that spread between animals and people) and must be issued and filled out by the competent veterinary authority in your home country within two days before departure.

Turkey requires cats and dogs to be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months before entry. A rabies titer test is also requested for all cats and dogs entering Turkey taken a maximum of 90 days before your journey and at least 30 days after your pet receives their rabies vaccine. Please make sure the lab you use will be accepted by Turkish authorities. If you fail to provide an acceptable FAVN test result, your pet may have to quarantine for 3-4 months in Turkey. You should have your pet’s original rabies certificate as well as records of its previous vaccinations with you while entering Turkey.

There are additional requirements for canines and felines. For dogs, Turkey requires the DHLPP vaccine, (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus vaccine (DHLPP) as well as Bordetella. While for cats, it requires them to have the Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia vaccine (FVRCP).

Currently, Turkey allows two pets per person to enter the country tax-free. These pets must be free of zoonotic diseases, be in good health, and be free of internal and external parasites. It also requires that your pet be microchipped with an International Standards Organization (ISO) compatible device. Turkey currently accepts the world standard 15 digits, non-encrypted microchips compliant with ISO  11784 or Annex A ISO 11785.

Once all their medical needs are taken care of, you will need to figure out how to bring your pets to Turkey. If you are traveling via land, you must be present at customs clearance or have a legal representative there with a notarized passport copy and proof that you will enter Turkey within 30 days of your pet’s arrival.

Learn about pet policy from the airline representative before you board. Currently, Turkey requires pets and their owners to be on the same flight due to pandemic restrictions. Smaller pets may be allowed to travel in the cabin with you, make sure to ask what the current International Air Transportation Association (IATA) pet travel crate regulations for cargo travel are.

Upon arrival, your pet will need to have a medical checkup by the airport vet. If the results are not pleasing, a more detailed medical examination and you are required to cover the cost. For exact day customs clearance, your pet should arrive by 11:30 a.m. Pets arriving after 3:00 p.m. will be subject to extra fees.