Bringing Pets to Turkey: Arrangements and Procedures

When we travel with our four-legged friends or move abroad, there are certain things to consider and certain procedures to follow. Knowing everything related to pet relocation is very important for your pet's safety.

A large percentage of pet owners consider them to be their own. In some cases, your safety comes first. Since they have no chance of protection against external influences, we must ensure their safety and well-being. To this end, pet owners must go through certain legal procedures to protect their pets while traveling.

Every government takes safety precautions for pets brought into their country from abroad. Their main goal is to protect their own people and maintain a healthy living environment in the country. Every country's constitution has regulations on keeping pets or bringing pets into the country.

The Turkish government has also established some ground rules for importing non-commercial pets into the country. There are restrictions on the types of animals or the number of pets that can be brought into the country. Factors also considered include the pet's identity and medical records.

Rules for moving your pets to Türkiye

The Turkish government requires that pets brought into Turkey must meet certain standards. These can be sorted by required vaccinations or microchips and identification. It is also important that your pet does not belong to an animal species considered dangerous to humans. Let's take a look.

• There are some restrictions on pet species. In Turkey, there is a notification for pets imported into Turkey for non-commercial purposes. It clearly classifies the species of animals that are allowed into the country.

Cats, dogs and ferrets are the animals most often brought to Turkey. But for some varieties, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs decides whether to admit them. This includes invertebrates other than poultry, bees and crustaceans.

There is also the question of whether amphibians, ornamental fish, birds, pet rabbits and reptiles can enter the country under certain conditions. There are various subspecies of these animal breeds, and some may be rejected at the border. Of course, it is best to consult the authorities well in advance of the travel date.

Some animals such as dogs, cats and birds (except poultry) are exempt from duty. However, there is a limit of 2 pets (cats and dogs) or 10 ornamental fish.

• Vermin must be accompanied by a passenger. Pets are not allowed without an owner. A companion familiar with animal behavior should be present to complete paperwork and manage logistics.
• Whether you are traveling by air, road or sea, there are designated veterinarians at the country's border crossings. These authorities are responsible for screening animals before they enter the country.
• Any animal intended to be brought into the country must be identified through a tattoo or microchip system. If a microchip is used to identify the pet, the chip must conform to the common standard for transponders. If this is not the case, the animal owner must provide a microchip-compatible transponder.
• The most important requirement is that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies. For microchip systems, it is important to ensure that the pet's vaccination dates match the required verification period. Turkey requires domestic cats or dogs to be vaccinated against rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry. You should carry your pet's original rabies vaccination certificate with you when entering Turkey.

Rabies vaccination is an important requirement for pet travel and is one of the most important vaccinations. It is also capable of some other conditions. For example, it is not possible to bring a newborn pet into the country.

The main reason is that dogs cannot be vaccinated against rabies before they are three months old. In this case, the pet's situation will be clarified by government authorities.

• Pets must have their own private passport and animal health certificate. A pet passport is a booklet containing vaccination dates, stamps and previous data on your pet's health. This is required by the authorities to ensure that your paw companions observe all necessary health precautions for their species. It's a must-have when moving with bearded, furry roommates.
• When traveling by air, pets weighing less than 8 kg are allowed in the cabin. However, if they weigh more than the 8 kg limit, they must be transported in a special compartment separate from the passenger cabin.

Also, keep in mind that only one pet is allowed per owner. If you are traveling with two or more pets, only one of them can be taken in the cabin. Rules may vary by airline, so it's best to contact them in advance and make a reservation.

What documents are needed to transport pets to Türkiye?

All documents are required to identify the animal. The pet's welfare will also be documented in these documents to ensure its safety. The Turkish government requires the following conditions when traveling with pets:

• Pet passport
• The original rabies antibody titration test (you can check the national rabies vaccination authorization agency on the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.)
• Pet veterinary health certificate (Must be obtained from the veterinary authority of the country of departure.)
• Pet cage (only two pet cages are allowed per passenger, but only one of them can be brought into the cabin.)
• According to regulations, a passenger can only bring 2 (two) pets into the country. You should prepare these files separately for each individual file.

Bonus Tips: Tips to Make Your Pet's Moving Process Easier

• If you are planning to move to Turkey, read the constitutional provisions regarding owning and traveling with pets. Article 5199 of the Turkish Constitution provides for animal welfare laws. It is important to know your rights as a pet owner in Türkiye.
• It is best to obtain first-hand information from the authorities. Conditions and rules may vary depending on animal species and certain circumstances. It is best to start preparations 2-3 months before your travel date.
• In some cases, you may need to obtain a statement that you have no intention of selling the pets or pursuing business opportunities for the pets. You can obtain this certificate from your country's veterinary medical association.
• This documentation is preferably available in three languages. One of these should be in the language of your country. In addition, for common reasons, an English version and a Turkish version need to be submitted to the authorities.
• When traveling by road, you may need to cross the borders of different countries.​​ In this case, you may also have to comply with the requirements for transporting pets in those countries. At this point, the airways may be more beneficial. If you do have to travel by road, it's a good idea to know the pet import regulations of the country of transit.
• Always consult an expert when traveling by air. Each airline has its own pet-friendly policy for traveling with pets. Some airlines do not allow certain breeds, mixes or breeds such as pit bulls, rottweilers, dobermans etc. Conditions, requirements and rules may vary between airlines.
• If you plan to purchase a connecting flight to Turkey via the UK, United Arab Emirates or Qatar, be sure to check with the airline manager before purchasing your ticket. These countries do not accept pets from abroad. Therefore, please understand your rights and restrictions on these flights before purchasing.
• Make sure you have a reservation with the airline. There is a limit to the number of animals that can be carried on a single flight. It's best to make an appointment in advance and get the right information on how to approach the process first-hand.
• If you don't want to do all of these steps yourself, there are companies that can do it for you. These offer a variety of animal relocation services, from animal transportation to paperwork. With some market research, finding the best provider will greatly simplify the process.

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What else do you want to know about Türkiye? Check out our blog page for more information on how to live like a local in Turkey. Discover the best travel destinations on our blog or check out favorable options on our shopping guides page.