UK TO CYPRUS – VET-LED PET TRAVEL

Taking Pets to Cyprus – Safe, Vet-Led Pet Flights from the UK

Moving to Cyprus with your dog or cat is more than arranging a flight – it is moving a member of your family. You want to know that their paperwork is correct, their journey is carefully planned and that someone who understands animal welfare is looking after them every step of the way. PetAir UK is a vet-led pet travel company specialising in international journeys from the UK to destinations around the world, including Cyprus. With more than 20 years of pet travel experience and over 33,000 pets safely flown worldwide, our in-house veterinary team and dedicated travel coordinators understand what it takes to make an international pet move feel manageable.

For pet travel to Cyprus from the UK, PetAir UK can coordinate the complete journey, including veterinary health requirements, documentation, airline arrangements, IATA-compliant travel preparation and arrival logistics.

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Entry Requirements

Pet Travel to Cyprus: Entry Requirements at a Glance

The good news is that pets travelling from Great Britain to Cyprus do not need a rabies blood titre test or routine quarantine when all the entry requirements are correctly met.

Quick Reference – Pets Entering Cyprus from the UK

Microchip

Required

Required. The microchip should comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards.

Rabies Vaccination

Required

Required. A primary vaccination must be completed at least 21 days before completion of the Animal Health Certificate.

Blood Titre Test (RNATT)

Not Required

Not required for pets travelling from Great Britain because the UK is currently an EU Annex II listed country.

Tapeworm Treatment

Not Required

Not required for entry into Cyprus from Great Britain.

Animal Health Certificate

Required

Required for pets travelling from Great Britain to Cyprus. Remember , you must travel within 5 days of your pet.

Quarantine on Arrival

Not Required

No, provided all requirements are met.

Minimum Pet Age

Custom

105 days

Pets must be at least 105 days old.

Arrival Notification

None

The relevant Cyprus District Veterinary Office should be notified at least 48 hours before arrival.

Airline Container

Required

Air transport must use a container meeting applicable IATA requirements.

Minimum Preparation Time

Custom

3 weeks

Allow at least 3 weeks if your pet's rabies vaccination is already valid; 4–6 weeks is recommended for comfortable planning.

Breed Restrictions

Custom

Restricted

Some restrictions apply. See below for more detail.

Arrival Checks

None

Pets arriving from Great Britain are subject to documentary and identity checks.

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Detailed Entry Requirements

Detailed Requirement Breakdown

Microchip

Required

Your pet must be individually identified with a compliant microchip before the rabies vaccination used for travel. Cyprus specifies ISO 11784 and ISO 11785-compatible identification standards.

The order matters. The microchip must be implanted and recorded before the relevant rabies vaccination. If your pet already has a microchip, your vet will need to verify that the number matches your vaccination and travel documentation. Our team checks the identification details as part of the travel preparation process so that the microchip number is consistent across the relevant paperwork.

Rabies Vaccination

Required

Dogs, cats and ferrets travelling to Cyprus must have a valid rabies vaccination, and a primary vaccination must be followed by a minimum 21-day waiting period.

Cyprus states that the animal must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the vaccination and must be at least 105 days old when entering the country. The day of vaccination is counted as day zero. If your pet already has a continuous vaccination history and is receiving a valid booster within the manufacturer's recommended period, the booster can remain valid without restarting the 21-day waiting period. Your veterinary records need to demonstrate this continuity. Our vet-led team can help you establish exactly where your pet is in the process before you commit to travel dates.

Blood Titre Test (RNATT)

Not Required

A rabies blood titre test is not currently required for non-commercial pet travel from Great Britain to Cyprus because the United Kingdom is included in the EU's current Annex II list of countries whose pets do not require titration testing.

This is an important change to understand because older online information can still refer to previous EU arrangements. If your pet has travelled through another country before entering Cyprus, additional rules can apply depending on the country and the nature of the transit. PetAir UK checks the complete route rather than looking at the destination in isolation.

Tapeworm Treatment

Not Required

A routine 24–120-hour tapeworm treatment is not currently a mandatory Cyprus entry requirement for a dog travelling from Great Britain.

The commonly quoted 24–120-hour rule relates primarily to dogs entering Great Britain from most countries, rather than dogs travelling from Great Britain into Cyprus. Parasite prevention is nevertheless an important part of responsible international travel, and your vet may recommend treatment based on your pet's individual health needs and travel circumstances. If you are planning a return journey to the UK, remember that the UK has its own tapeworm treatment requirement for dogs returning from most countries.

Animal Health Certificate

Required

A pet travelling from Great Britain to Cyprus needs an EU Animal Health Certificate completed by an appropriately authorised Official Veterinarian.

The certificate confirms your pet's identity, rabies vaccination and compliance with the applicable EU entry requirements. The certificate is valid for entry into the EU for 10 days from its issue date, so the timing of your veterinary appointment is particularly important. PetAir UK can help you plan this appointment around your confirmed flight so that the certificate falls within the correct travel window.

Quarantine on Arrival

Not Required

Routine quarantine is not required for a compliant pet entering Cyprus from Great Britain.

Cyprus Veterinary Services carries out documentary and identity checks when pets arrive. If the requirements have been met, the animal can enter Cyprus. However, Cyprus can isolate a pet in quarantine if its requirements have not been met. The official guidance states that an animal can be re-exported or isolated until it meets the requirements, with quarantine potentially lasting for as long as necessary within the applicable maximum period. This is why getting the paperwork and preparation right before departure matters so much.

Minimum Pet Age

Custom

105 days

Pets must be at least 105 days old.

Arrival Notification

None

The relevant Cyprus District Veterinary Office should be notified at least 48 hours before arrival.

Airline Container

Required

Air transport must use a container meeting applicable IATA requirements.

Minimum Preparation Time

Custom

3 weeks

Allow at least 3 weeks if your pet's rabies vaccination is already valid; 4–6 weeks is recommended for comfortable planning.

Breed Restrictions

Custom

Restricted

Cyprus prohibits the entry of Pit Bull Terrier/American Pit Bull, Japanese Tosa/Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino/Argentinian Mastiff and Fila Brasileiro/Brazilian Mastiff, including certain prohibited crosses.

Cyprus also restricts the entry of non-domestic cat species and hybrids such as Savannah, Bengal and Caracat cats. If you have a mixed-breed dog, it is particularly important to establish whether any of the prohibited breed characteristics could affect entry before travel arrangements are made.

Arrival Checks

None

Pets arriving from Great Britain must enter through a designated point of entry and are subject to documentary and identity checks.

Cyprus Veterinary Services also asks the owner or person responsible for a pet arriving from a third country to notify the relevant District Veterinary Office at least 48 hours before arrival, including the date, time and flight details. PetAir UK can coordinate the arrival arrangements and make sure the relevant information is accounted for as part of your travel plan.

PetAir UK manages every one of these requirements on your behalf – from booking your pet’s health certificate appointment to liaising directly with airlines and border authorities.

Airlines & Route Options

Flying Your Pet to Cyprus: Airlines and Route Options

The best airline and routing for your pet to Cyprus depends on your departure airport, your pet’s size and breed, the date of travel and whether they are travelling with you or as an unaccompanied shipment. Airline policies sit alongside Cyprus’s legal entry requirements, so an airline allowing pets does not automatically mean that every pet or every travel method will be suitable.

Cabin, Hold or Cargo – Which Is Right for My Pet?

Aircraft hold: Larger pets may travel in a temperature-controlled aircraft hold where the airline accepts them. The pet travels in an appropriate IATA-compliant container.
Cargo/manifest: Pets travelling independently of their owner, or pets whose size, route or airline rules prevent cabin or hold carriage, may need to travel as air cargo. IATA's current Live Animals Regulations provide the international framework for safe and humane commercial live-animal transport. The UK government also states that airline pet policies must be checked separately because carriers can impose their own requirements.

How Long Is the Flight to Cyprus?

Flight time: A direct UK–Cyprus flight is typically around 4½–5 hours, depending on the UK departure airport and destination airport. The total journey time for your pet can be longer because it includes collection, airport processing, animal handling, loading, unloading and arrival procedures. A connection can add further complexity, so PetAir UK considers the complete journey rather than simply choosing the shortest scheduled flight.

How Does PetAir UK Choose the Best Route?

We look at your pet as an individual rather than simply searching for the cheapest available flight. Your dedicated travel coordinator considers your pet's: • Breed and age. • Size and weight. • Brachycephalic status. • Health and fitness for air travel. • Crate requirements. • Departure airport. • Preferred travel date. • Whether you are travelling with your pet. • Airline restrictions. • Seasonal and operational considerations. Where a direct commercial option is appropriate, we prioritise a straightforward routing. Where it is not, we assess alternative routes and transport arrangements with your pet's welfare at the centre of the decision.

Summer Heat Embargoes

Most airlines impose seasonal embargoes on brachycephalic breeds in cargo holds between May and September due to extreme heat risk. Planning travel outside peak summer months is advisable for affected breeds. PetAir UK monitors airline embargo calendars and will proactively recommend the optimal travel window for your pet's breed and destination.

PetAir UK manages every one of these requirements on your behalf – from booking your pet’s health certificate appointment to liaising directly with airlines and border authorities.

Why Choose PetAir UK

Why Pet Owners Trust PetAir UK for Flights to Cyprus

33,000+
Pets safely flown worldwide

20+
Years in international pet travel

4.8/5
Trustpilot rating from 900+ reviews

100%
Vet-led team – in-house vets & nurses

Moving your pet abroad can be emotionally difficult even when the paperwork is straightforward. The hardest part is often the thought of handing your pet over at the airport and not being able to see what happens next.

That is why PetAir UK gives every customer a dedicated 1-to-1 travel coordinator who manages the journey from the initial quote through to arrival. You have a named person who understands your pet, your route and your travel plans.

For additional reassurance during the journey, you can use real-time reassurance with our PetAir Care Tags, giving handlers access to important contact and care information.

Then there is the paperwork. An Animal Health Certificate, vaccination records, microchip information and airline requirements can feel like a lot to coordinate. Our Vet-Led Travel Prep service brings veterinary knowledge into the planning process, helping you understand what your pet needs before departure.

We also know that international pet travel is a significant expense. PetAir UK offers flexible payment options that spread the cost, helping make the financial side of your pet’s journey easier to manage. We also offer price matching to all customers.

Trust comes from experience. PetAir UK has more than 20 years in international pet travel, has safely flown more than 33,000 pets worldwide and has been an IPATA member since 2009. Our team includes veterinary professionals and our travel arrangements are built around the current IATA Live Animals Regulations and airline requirements.

See Why Pet Owners Choose PetAir UK

How it works

How Pet Travel to Cyprus Works with PetAir UK

From your first enquiry to the moment your pet arrives safely, we guide you through every step – with full support from our veterinary and logistics team.

1

Get your personalised quote

Tell us where you are travelling from, when you need to travel and a few details about your pet. We will assess the route, airline options and requirements before preparing your personalised quotation.

2

Meet your dedicated travel coordinator

Once you proceed, you will have a dedicated point of contact who understands your pet’s journey. They will guide you through the timeline and help keep the different veterinary, documentation and airline stages on track.

3

Vet-led travel preparation and documentation

We help you understand the microchip, rabies vaccination and Animal Health Certificate requirements for Cyprus. Our veterinary-led approach means the preparation is considered from both a compliance and animal-welfare perspective.

4

Cabin Preparation and IATA Compliance Check

Your pet’s travel container must be suitable for the animal and comply with the applicable airline and IATA requirements. IATA’s 2026 guidance requires an animal to have sufficient space to stand, sit erect, turn normally and lie in a natural position.

5

Flight day – with tracking and check-ins

On departure day, the focus is on making the handover as calm and organised as possible. Your pet’s travel arrangements are coordinated with the relevant airline and handling teams, with support available throughout the journey.

6

Arrival, Customs Clearance and Onward Travel

Your pet arrives through the appropriate Cyprus entry point, where the necessary identity and documentation checks take place. Once cleared, your pet can continue to their new home and the next chapter of your life together.

Ready to start?

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions Answered

Yes, dogs and cats can travel from Great Britain to Cyprus provided they meet the applicable EU and Cyprus entry requirements. Your pet needs a compliant microchip, valid rabies vaccination and the correct Animal Health Certificate, and must enter through a designated point of entry. The airline then determines how your pet can travel – for example, in the cabin, aircraft hold or as cargo. Airline rules can vary considerably, so the legal requirements and the airline requirements both need to be checked. PetAir UK can assess the complete journey and recommend the most suitable option for your pet.
No, routine quarantine is not required when a pet meets all the Cyprus entry requirements. Pets arriving from Great Britain are subject to documentary and identity checks, and compliant animals can enter Cyprus. However, Cyprus Veterinary Services can isolate an animal if its requirements have not been met. Depending on the circumstances, the animal may instead need to be re-exported. This is why correct preparation before departure is so important. PetAir UK checks the requirements before travel so that avoidable problems are identified before your pet reaches the airport.
A valid rabies vaccination is mandatory for dogs, cats and ferrets entering Cyprus from Great Britain. Cyprus requires the animal to have received an appropriate rabies vaccination, and a primary vaccination must be followed by at least 21 days before travel. Other routine vaccinations are not listed as a standard Cyprus entry requirement in the sources reviewed for this page, although keeping your pet's normal preventative healthcare up to date remains important. If your pet's rabies vaccination is a valid booster given within the manufacturer's recommended period, the waiting period does not normally restart. Your veterinary records must support this vaccination history.
No, a rabies antibody blood titre test is not currently required for a pet travelling non-commercially from Great Britain to Cyprus. The United Kingdom is included in Annex II of the EU's current country list for non-commercial pet movement, which means the titration test is not required. This is particularly important because older pet travel websites can still contain information based on previous EU regulations. The EU rules changed in April 2026, so current guidance should be checked before every journey. PetAir UK monitors the current rules and checks your route individually.
The minimum preparation period can be around three weeks if your pet is already microchipped and has a valid rabies vaccination. A first rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 full days before travel. We recommend allowing around four to six weeks where possible. This provides additional time to arrange your flight, confirm airline acceptance, prepare the correct container and schedule the Animal Health Certificate appointment within its 10-day validity window for EU entry. If your pet needs a new primary rabies vaccination, do not book a travel date that falls inside the 21-day waiting period.
Pets travelling from Great Britain to Cyprus need an EU Animal Health Certificate, together with evidence that the pet meets the applicable identification and rabies vaccination requirements. The certificate is valid for entry into the EU for 10 days from its date of issue. Your pet should have: • A compliant microchip. • Evidence of a valid rabies vaccination. • The completed Animal Health Certificate. • The signed non-commercial movement declaration incorporated into the certificate process. • Any additional documents required by the airline or route. • Relevant supporting vaccination and identification records. Cyprus also requires advance notification of a third-country pet arrival to the relevant District Veterinary Office at least 48 hours before arrival.
There is no single fixed price for flying a pet to Cyprus because the cost depends on your pet, route, airline, crate requirements and the services included in the journey. Factors can include your departure airport, whether your pet travels with you or independently, the size and type of travel container, airline charges, collection and delivery, veterinary documentation, customs or handling requirements and any additional support you choose. For this reason, PetAir UK provides a personalised quotation rather than quoting a generic price that may not reflect your actual journey. Get a quick quote with us today to find out how much pet travel to Cyprus will cost you.
No, the UK's 24–120-hour tapeworm treatment rule does not apply to a dog entering Cyprus from Great Britain. That rule concerns dogs entering Great Britain from most countries. Your vet may nevertheless recommend appropriate parasite prevention based on your dog's health and travel plans. If you are returning to Great Britain with your dog, however, the UK tapeworm requirement normally applies and the treatment must be administered within the specified 24–120-hour window before arrival.
Pets entering Cyprus must be at least 105 days old. This reflects the minimum age for the required rabies vaccination followed by the mandatory waiting period. Cyprus Veterinary Services states that animals younger than 105 days cannot enter regardless of their country of origin. This means puppies and kittens need particularly careful planning. If you are considering travelling with a young pet, speak to your vet and PetAir UK before making travel arrangements so that the timing is compliant from the outset.
Yes, Cyprus prohibits the entry of four specified dog breed groups: Pit Bull Terrier/American Pit Bull, Japanese Tosa/Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino/Argentinian Mastiff and Fila Brasileiro/Brazilian Mastiff. Certain crosses are also included where the prohibited characteristics are considered dominant. This restriction applies regardless of the country your pet is travelling from. If your dog is a crossbreed or has an uncertain breed history, it is important to establish whether the restriction could apply before booking transport. PetAir UK can review your pet's details as part of the initial travel assessment.

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Start Your Pet’s Journey with Confidence

Moving your pet abroad is a big decision — and you deserve a team you can trust. With 20+ years’ experience and thousands of successful journeys, PetAir UK’s vet-led team handles every detail, so your pet travels safely with expert care at every step.

Get your free quote today – or call +44 (0)1725 551 124 +44 (0)2039 266 622 to speak to our team.