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Country entry guide · Europe (EU)

Traveling to Cyprus with your dog

Difficulty: Easy to difficult (depends on origin) ⏱ Several weeks to a few months

Cyprus welcomes dogs, but what you need to prepare depends mainly on the country your dog is travelling from — not only on Cyprus itself. As an EU member, Cyprus applies the EU pet-movement rules: an ISO microchip and a valid rabies vaccination are always required. A dog coming from another EU country simply needs an EU pet passport. A dog from a listed non-EU country (such as the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom) needs an EU animal health certificate but no blood test. A dog from a non-listed country faces the longest path, including a rabies antibody test and a three-month wait. No tapeworm treatment is required to enter Cyprus. As an island, Cyprus admits pets only through designated points of entry, and four dog breeds are banned from the country. This guide explains each case so you know exactly what to prepare before you book.

📋 At a glance

Dogs allowed	Yes (except banned breeds)
Microchip	Required
Rabies vaccination	Required
Rabies antibody test	Conditional — non-listed origins only
Veterinary certificate	Conditional — non-EU origins
Tapeworm treatment	Not required for Cyprus
Prohibited breeds	4 breeds banned from entry
Quarantine	Normally not required

⚠️ Important

MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
Only a veterinarian can confirm the exact procedure for your individual dog.
Requirements depend on: the country of origin, previous travel history, identification, vaccinations, the itinerary and the travel date.

Always consult your veterinarian before booking your trip.

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Find a flight to Cyprus

Compare the airlines that accept dogs and check their conditions.

🔎 Find a flight to Cyprus

🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided

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Country of destination — Cyprus★★★★★
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Country of departure★★★★★
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Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆

✅ Entry requirements

Requirement	Required?	Exceptions	Official reference
ISO microchip	Required	A legible tattoo is accepted only if done before 3 July 2011.	EU Reg. 576/2013; Cyprus Veterinary Services
Rabies vaccination	Required	Entry unvaccinated against rabies is prohibited regardless of the country of origin; the microchip must already be in place.	EU Reg. 576/2013, Annex III; Cyprus Veterinary Services
Rabies antibody test	Conditional	Not required from the EU or from listed countries (US, Canada, UK, Switzerland, Japan, Australia…).	EU Reg. 2020/692; Cyprus Veterinary Services
EU pet passport	EU origins	Replaced by an animal health certificate for non-EU origins.	EU Reg. 577/2013
EU animal health certificate	Non-EU origins	Not needed for EU origins (passport instead).	EU Reg. 577/2013, Annex IV; Cyprus Veterinary Services
Tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment	Not required	Only Finland, Ireland, Malta, N. Ireland and Norway require it — not Cyprus.	European Commission — pet travel
Advance notification of arrival	Third-country arrivals	No import permit is issued; no prior notification is required for intra-EU arrivals.	Cyprus Veterinary Services — non-commercial movement
Point of entry / border check	All arrivals	Entry from any non-designated point is prohibited.	Cyprus Veterinary Services; Cyprus Customs & Excise
Puppies / minimum age	At least 105 days old	The entry of pets under 105 days old is prohibited regardless of the country of origin.	EU Reg. 576/2013; Cyprus Veterinary Services
Prohibited breeds	Banned from entry	No exemption exists; these breeds are refused entry.	Cyprus Veterinary Services — prohibited breeds
Quarantine	Not required	Compliant animals enter without quarantine; only if rules are breached may the authorities order re-export, quarantine or other measures.	Cyprus Veterinary Services

🗓 In what order, and when

Some steps only count once the previous one is done — check each deadline against the official reference above.

ISO microchipISO 11784/11785 transponder (HDX or FDX-B); must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccinationDog at least 12 weeks old at the shot; valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination.
Rabies antibody testNon-listed origins only: blood ≥30 days after vaccination, ≥3 months before entry, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, EU-approved lab.
EU pet passportIssued by an EU vet; records the microchip and rabies vaccination.
EU animal health certificateIssued/endorsed by an official vet before departure; valid 10 days to entry, then up to 4 months for onward EU travel.
Advance notification of arrivalFor a dog arriving from a non-EU country: notify the District Veterinary Office of the point of entry at least 48 hours before arrival (date, time, flight number or ship name).
Point of entry / border checkPets may enter only at designated points (Larnaka and Pafos airports, Lemesos/Larnaka ports, marinas); documents and identity are inspected by the Veterinary Officer or Customs.
Puppies / minimum age12-week rabies shot + 21-day wait; any pet entering Cyprus must be at least 105 days old.
Prohibited breedsPit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro (and their crosses) may not enter Cyprus, regardless of the country of origin.

🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin

From the EU

Simplified — EU pet passport

A dog coming from another EU country needs an EU pet passport showing a valid ISO microchip and an in-date rabies vaccination. No antibody test, no health certificate and no advance notification. It must still enter at a designated point and must not be a banned breed.

⏱ A few days if the passport is up to date, up to ~3 weeks if the first rabies shot is still needed.

From a listed country

Health certificate + 48h notice

From a listed non-EU country (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Australia and others), your dog needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU animal health certificate endorsed by an official vet before departure. No antibody test is required, but you must notify the District Veterinary Office at least 48 hours before arrival and present the dog at a designated point of entry.

⏱ ~3–4 weeks: 21-day wait after the rabies shot, plus a health certificate valid 10 days.

From a non-listed country

Antibody test + 3-month wait

From a non-listed (at-risk) country, add a rabies antibody test: blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, result ≥0.5 IU/ml at an EU-approved laboratory, then a compulsory 3-month wait before entry. An endorsed EU animal health certificate and the 48-hour advance notification are also required.

⏱ ~4–7 months: antibody test at least 30 days after vaccination, then a compulsory 3-month wait.

🛬 Arrival

Cyprus is an island: every pet must enter at a designated point, and what happens on arrival depends on where you flew from.

Pets may enter only through designated points of entry — Larnaka (LCA) and Pafos (PFO) international airports, the Lemesos (Limassol) and Larnaka ports, and approved marinas. Entry from any other point is prohibited.
From another EU country: no systematic border check and no prior notification — keep the EU pet passport with you.
From outside the EU: notify the District Veterinary Office of the point of entry at least 48 hours before arrival with the date, time and flight number or ship name.
On arrival, the dog and its documents are inspected by the Veterinary Officer or by the duty Customs Officer acting for the Veterinary Services; compliant animals enter without quarantine.
Carry original documents (not copies); if documents are missing or invalid, the authorities may order re-export, quarantine or other measures — at the owner's expense.
Banned breeds (Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and their crosses) are refused entry, whatever their country of origin.

🚫 Restricted dogs

Cyprus prohibits four dog breeds from entering or being kept in the country, regardless of the country of origin. The ban is enforced by the Veterinary Services at every point of entry and there is no import permit or exemption route.

Category 1

Banned breeds: Pit Bull Terrier (American Pit Bull), Japanese Tosa (Tosa Inu), Dogo Argentino (Argentinian Mastiff) and Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff). The ban also covers dogs from a cross of these breeds, and dogs from the cross of any breed with a banned breed where a registered veterinarian certifies that the dangerous-breed characteristics predominate. These dogs may not enter Cyprus, including in transit.

Category 2

Cyprus operates a single outright ban rather than a permit-based second category: there is no lawful way to import one of the four breeds. All other dogs must be microchipped and are subject to Cyprus's general dog-ownership rules (registration and responsible-ownership obligations under national dog legislation). Confirm your dog's breed with your vet before booking, as a cross whose banned-breed traits predominate can also be refused.

A dog that merely resembles a banned breed is judged on its dominant characteristics by a registered veterinarian. If there is any doubt about your dog's breed or lineage, contact the Cyprus Veterinary Services before travelling.

✈️ Airlines flying to Cyprus with a dog

Carriers we document that serve this country and accept dogs. The verdict is the airline's general policy — it does not prejudge your breed, your crate or your exact route.

Transavia 2 airports Cabin ≤8 kg British Airways 2 airports Cargo only Aegean Airlines 2 airports Cabin EL AL Israel Airlines 2 airports Cabin TUI Airways 2 airports Cargo only Lufthansa 1 airport Cabin ≤8 kg

+24 more documented airlines accept dogs to this country. 3 carriers serving this country are not listed here: refusal or undocumented pet policy. See all airlines →

🛂 Airports in Cyprus

Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.

Larnaca LCA Paphos PFO

Cyprus with a dog: common questions

Cyprus: What does my dog need to enter?

Cyprus requires: ISO microchip, Rabies vaccination.

Cyprus: Is a rabies antibody test required?

Cyprus — Rabies antibody test: Conditional. Non-listed origins only: blood ≥30 days after vaccination, ≥3 months before entry, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, EU-approved lab.

Cyprus: Are any dog breeds banned?

Cyprus: How long does it take to prepare a dog?

A few days if the passport is up to date, up to ~3 weeks if the first rabies shot is still needed. ~4–7 months: antibody test at least 30 days after vaccination, then a compulsory 3-month wait.

Cyprus: Is it difficult to travel there with a dog?

Cyprus — Easy to difficult (depends on origin). MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.

Answers drawn from the official sources listed below; entry information last verified 8 August 2026. Rules change — confirm with the authorities of Cyprus and your vet before booking.

📚 Official sources

🗓️ Information last verified on 8 August 2026 👤 Reviewer: MyDogCanFly Data Team Confidence: ★★★★☆

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