How to bring your pet into Turkey legally? There is a specific list of things that you need to do in advance if you have purchased a property in Turkey, planning to move to this country for permanent residence, or just go on a trip with your pet. Learn more about all the requirements in our article.
Content:
- How to organize a pet-friendly trip to Turkey
- Cats, dogs, and ferrets
- Pets banned from entering Turkey
- Pets besides dogs, cats, and ferrets
- Turtles and parrots
- Under-3-month-old cats and dogs
- Requirements for entering Turkey by plane
- In the cabin or in the cargo hold?
- My pets: Will they be quarantined?
- Conclusion
How to organize a pet-friendly trip to Turkey
It is best to handle the problem of transporting animals one month prior to arrival in the nation. You will therefore undoubtedly have enough time to finish all the processes and gather the required paperwork. Domestic cats, dogs, and ferrets are generally covered by the guidelines and safety precautions listed in this article. Other pets you intend to bring to Turkey might be subject to different regulations.
Pets must be microchipped in accordance with ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 Annex A in order to enter the country. Additionally, you'll need a veterinary health certificate and an international veterinary passport that lists the vaccinations given, an import clearance certificate or permit from the Turkish government (*If you are not bringing in pets for trade purposes, you do not need to get one). At the airport, this document will be exchanged for an international certificate, also known as an APHIS 7001.
Cats, dogs, and ferrets
The following is a list of the vaccinations and other medical data needed to import your pet:
- Dogs must receive the following vaccination shots at least 4 weeks before the trip: parainfluenza, leptospirosis, parvovirus, bordetella, rabies, hepatitis, and distemper.
- Cats must receive a calicivirus, panleukopenia, feline viral rhinotracheitis, and rabies vaccinations at least 4 weeks before travel.
- Canine distemper, viral enteritis, and pseudomonas all require vaccination for ferrets.
Pets must receive a rabies vaccination within the previous year and within the last 30 days before traveling to the country.
For the importation of an animal, a rabies titer (FAVN) test might also be necessary. All imported cats and dogs must have it, though in practice customs officials don't always ask for it. However, it's better to avoid taking a risk. A blood titer test should be performed on your pet by a serology lab that has been approved by the EU to check for antibodies after the rabies vaccine has been used. No later than 90 and no earlier than 30 days prior to the trip, the test must be done. The animal will be quarantined in Turkey for three to four months if you do not provide a negative FAVN test result.
There are a few additional requirements as well, including:
- No parasites, internal or external, should exist in your pet.
- A pet needs to be free of contagious illnesses that affect people.
- A person may bring up to two animals without paying additional fees.
Pets banned from entering Turkey
Even if they have the required certificates, not all pets are permitted entry into Turkey. There is a list of dog breeds that cannot be transported into this country:
- American Bully
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Dogo Argentino
- Bull Terrier
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Fila-brazilliero
- Japanese Tosa-Inu
If you are unsure whether a certain breed of dog can be transported, you should get in touch with Turkish Customs in advance.
Similar animal transit regulations apply to the majority of airlines. Take Turkish Airlines' restrictions into consideration. They claim that travel is not permitted to:
- Jaco parrots (grey parrots)
- Puppies and kittens younger than 10 weeks
- Animals that are lactating or pregnant
Pets besides dogs, cats, and ferrets
Obtaining an import permit is necessary if you own a bird. Additionally, depending on the type of pet, some animals only need a health certificate and do not need to be vaccinated against rabies. On this list are:
- Amphibia
- Invertebrates
- Small mammals, including mice and rabbits
- Reptiles
- Tropical fish
Turtles and parrots
It is crucial to check beforehand if your pet is included in the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) list. If CITES applies to your pet, which it does in more than 180 other nations, you will need to find out what additional permits are needed to bring the animal into Turkey.
Under-3-month-old cats and dogs
The most crucial requirement for importing a kitten or puppy under three months of age is a health certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian attesting that the animal has not come into contact with wild animals. If the parents meet all the requirements, puppies and kittens may also travel with them. There cannot be any rabies outbreaks in the country where your pet was born.
Requirements for entering Turkey by plane
Your animals will undergo screening when they arrive at the airport. The vet will ensure that they are free of any contagious diseases that affect people. Remember that if your pet is not healthy, a second examination will be performed in Turkey at your expense. You must arrive before 11:30 if you want to bring your pet into the country that day. There is an additional fee for pets that arrive after 15:00.
Pets must travel with their owners in order to avoid paying taxes on their importation into the nation. At customs, the pet owner must be present.
When booking your ticket, be sure to get in touch with the airline's support staff or representative to find out about their pet policy and make sure your pet will be allowed to fly. This will help you avoid any stress. Use a pet carrier that has been approved by the chosen airline.
In the cabin or in the cargo hold?
Your pet will be allowed to travel in the cabin if it weighs less than 8 kilograms. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations require you to purchase a travel box if you don't want to move your pet without one. Put a sticker with your name, contact information (phone, email, and flight information), and other important information on the container. A copy of your pet's passport and any special handling instructions that might be required due to breed or behavior, according to some seasoned travelers, should be taped to the inside of the bag.
To guarantee a seamless connection on a flight with stopovers, you must travel with the same airline the entire way. Ask the airline if they will transport your pet while you change planes, and make sure they confirm this.
My pets: Will they be quarantined?
If the rabies titer test complies with import regulations, quarantining your pets won't be necessary. Please be aware that your pet will be quarantined at home for three to four months if it has not had this test three months prior to entry.
Conclusion
What then is required for traveling to the Republic of Turkey with pets?
- Microchip;
- Veterinary certificate of international format;
- Animal's veterinary passport;
- A rabies vaccination certificate;
- A Turkish government import permit (you do not need a permit if you are importing a pet for non-trading purposes).
Additionally, you might want to contact the air carrier ahead of time to confirm the current requirements, as they may change.