Bringing Pets to Turkey: The Complete Guide

Published on October 4, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Traveling with pets can be a rewarding experience, but complying with international regulations is crucial to ensure their safety and well-being.

Importing a four-legged companion into Turkey requires a precise understanding of specific administrative procedures, including obtaining proper passports and updating mandatory vaccinations.

Whether you’re planning to settle in Turkey or visit temporarily, this article will guide you through the essential steps to facilitate the import process for your faithful companion and ensure your arrival is as smooth as possible for both you and your pet.

Essential Veterinary Formalities for Importing a Pet to Turkey

Required Veterinary Documents for Importing a Pet to Turkey

• Pet passport
• Veterinary health certificate issued by a licensed practitioner in the country of origin
• Recent veterinary report confirming the animal’s good health
• Up-to-date vaccination record

Required Document	Issued By	Timeline/Validity
Pet passport	Licensed veterinarian	Before departure
Health certificate	Official veterinarian	A few days before travel
Vaccination record	Veterinarian	Up-to-date at time of departure

Mandatory Vaccinations

• Rabies vaccination: mandatory and must be administered by an authorized institution or veterinarian.
  • Serological testing (rabies antibody titration) may be required depending on the country of origin.
  • The rabies vaccination must generally be administered at least 21 days before entry and remain valid throughout the stay.
• Other recommended vaccinations depending on species (e.g., leptospirosis, distemper for dogs).

Key points about rabies:

Official proof of rabies vaccination is required in all cases. Serological testing may be necessary depending on the situation.

Mandatory Parasite Treatments Before Entry to Turkey

• Certain parasite treatments (against ticks and/or echinococcus) may be required depending on the imported species.
  • These treatments must generally be administered within 24 to 120 hours before arrival.

Required Timelines

Formality	Minimum Time Before Entry
Rabies vaccination	Minimum 21 days
Serological testing	Up to several months
Parasite treatment	Between 24h and 120h
Final veterinary examination	A few days before departure

Veterinary Examination by Licensed Practitioner

A clinical examination performed by an officially recognized veterinarian is mandatory to obtain:

• The official health certificate
• The report confirming the animal shows no signs of contagious disease

All these documents must be original, signed, and stamped by an authorized professional.

How to Obtain a Pet Passport: Procedures and Practical Tips

Detailed Steps for Obtaining a Pet Passport in Turkey

1. Animal Identification

• Mandatory ISO 11784 microchip or tattoo.
• If the microchip is not compliant, provide a compatible reader upon arrival.

2. Required Vaccinations and Treatments

• Mandatory rabies vaccination, administered between 30 days and 12 months before entry to Turkey.
• Keep the original vaccination certificate.
• Perform a rabies antibody titration test according to Turkish requirements.
• Ensure the animal is up-to-date with parasite treatments (fleas, ticks, worms).

3. Documents to Provide

• Pet passport containing identification, vaccination history, and treatments.
• Veterinary health certificate issued by the veterinary authority of the country of origin.
• Rabies vaccination certificate.
• Rabies antibody titration test results.

Required Document	Issued By	Timeline/Specifics
Pet passport	Licensed veterinarian	Request as soon as the animal is compliant
Microchip or tattoo	Veterinarian	Mandatory before any procedure
Rabies vaccination certificate	Veterinarian	30 days to 12 months before entry
Rabies antibody titration test	Accredited laboratory	After vaccination, according to protocol
Veterinary health certificate	National veterinary authority	Generally 7 to 10 days before departure

4. Competent Authorities to Contact

• In Turkey: Provincial Directorate of Agriculture (İl Tarım Müdürlüğü), present in every city.
• In the country of origin: Licensed veterinarian and competent veterinary authority for issuing official certificates.

5. Procedure and Timelines

• Prepare all documents several weeks in advance.
• Schedule an appointment with the veterinarian for identification and vaccinations.
• Obtain the veterinary health certificate within 7 to 10 days before departure.
• In Turkey, the export certificate (if returning or departing again) is valid for 72 hours; request it just before travel.

6. Approximate Cost

• Pet passport: 20 to 50 EUR.
• Microchip: 30 to 60 EUR.
• Rabies vaccination: 20 to 40 EUR.
• Titration test: 50 to 100 EUR.
• Veterinary health certificate: 30 to 60 EUR.
• Estimated total: 150 to 250 EUR (depending on country and local veterinary fees).

Practical Tips and Advice

• Verify compliance of vaccines and parasite treatments before any procedure.
• Anticipate veterinary appointment scheduling times, especially for titration testing which may require several weeks.
• Keep all original documents; no copies will be accepted upon entry to Turkey.
• Check the list of breeds prohibited from import (e.g., Pitbull, Dogo Argentino, etc.).
• If transiting through other countries, inquire about their requirements to avoid boarding refusal.

Essential Precautions

• Ensure all passport information exactly matches the animal (name, microchip number, vaccination dates).
• Check certificate validity (especially for health certificates, which have limited validity).
• Declare the animal to customs immediately upon arrival in Turkey to avoid border issues.
• Keep contact information for Turkish veterinary authorities handy, particularly when arriving at Istanbul airport.

It is imperative to prepare each document in advance and verify their compliance to avoid any complications during import. Strict document checks are performed at the border: any missing or non-compliant document may result in refusal of the animal’s entry into Turkish territory.

List of Mandatory Vaccines for Pets Relocating to Turkey

Mandatory Vaccines for Pet Entry to Turkey

Species	Mandatory Vaccines	Diseases Covered	Timeline Before Entry to Turkey	Required Documents
Dog	– Rabies – Distemper – Infectious canine hepatitis – Leptospirosis – Parvovirus	– Rabies: fatal virus transmissible to humans – Distemper: highly contagious viral disease – Hepatitis: serious viral infection – Leptospirosis: zoonotic bacteria – Parvovirus: severe viral gastroenteritis	Rabies vaccine: at least 30 days before arrival Other vaccines: according to country of origin protocol	Up-to-date vaccination record or European passport/International health certificate signed and stamped by a licensed veterinarian
Cat	– Rabies – Feline viral rhinotracheitis – Panleukopenia – Feline leukemia	– Rabies – Rhinotracheitis: respiratory infection – Panleukopenia: viral gastroenteritis – Leukemia: feline retrovirus	Rabies vaccine: at least 30 days before arrival Other vaccines: according to country of origin protocol	Up-to-date vaccination record or European passport/International health certificate signed and stamped by a licensed veterinarian
Other Common Pets	Specific regulations depending on species (rabbits, rodents, birds); variable requirements, often health certificate and absence of contagious disease	Depends on species; no systematically mandatory vaccination for most exotic pets	Check with Turkish authorities or consulate	Recent health certificate of good health, signed by a licensed veterinarian

Additional Details for Entry to Turkey:

• Rabies serological test (Rabies antibody titration):
  All dogs and cats must present a rabies titration test (performed in an accredited laboratory), conducted more than 30 days after rabies vaccination and at least 3 months before entry to Turkey. This test verifies the effectiveness of the rabies vaccination.
• Number of animals allowed:
  Maximum of 2 pets per traveler.
• Documents to present upon arrival:
  • Up-to-date vaccination record or European pet passport (for EU countries).
  • International health certificate, dated less than 48 hours before departure, signed and stamped by an official veterinarian from the country of origin.
  • Rabies serological test results if required.

Specifics Depending on Origin:

• Animals from the European Union:
  The European pet passport is accepted if it certifies all required vaccinations and tests. Turkish authorities recognize European vaccination schedules provided they comply with Turkish regulations.
• Animals from other world regions:
  Requirements are identical, but the format of the health certificate or vaccination record must be recognized by Turkish authorities and validated by an official veterinarian from the country of origin.

Summary of Diseases Covered by Required Vaccines:

• Rabies: Fatal viral disease transmissible to humans and animals, with no curative treatment once symptoms appear.
• Distemper: Canine virus causing respiratory, digestive, and nervous disorders.
• Infectious canine hepatitis: Viral liver infection in dogs.
• Leptospirosis: Bacterial disease transmissible to humans, affecting liver and kidneys.
• Parvovirus: Virus causing severe gastroenteritis in dogs.
• Feline viral rhinotracheitis: Viral infection of upper respiratory tract in cats.
• Feline panleukopenia: Serious viral disease in cats, similar to parvovirus.
• Feline leukemia: Chronic viral disease, often fatal, in cats.

Any animal not meeting these requirements may be quarantined upon arrival or refused entry.

Tips for a Successful Stay with Your Pet in Turkey

Complying with local regulations in Turkey is essential for traveling peacefully with a pet. Turkish authorities enforce strict rules regarding animal entry and movement to ensure their welfare and protect public health.

Essential Conditions Before Travel:

• Pet passport: An up-to-date European or international passport is essential.
• Required vaccinations:
  • Rabies vaccination must be administered at least 30 days before arrival in Turkey. Multi-year rabies vaccines are accepted if noted in the passport.
  • Other vaccines may be required depending on species; check with your veterinarian.
• Health certificate: An official veterinary certificate (bilingual Turkish/English) confirming the animal is healthy and properly vaccinated must accompany each animal.

Required Document	Issued By	Specifics
Pet passport	Authorized veterinarian	Must include all vaccinations
Health certificate	Official veterinarian	Bilingual, specific model required by Turkish authorities

Certain dog breeds are prohibited from import, such as Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, or certain Mastiffs. Therefore, verify if your animal is on this list before any travel plans.

Veterinary Visit Before Departure:

• Have your animal’s general health checked several weeks before departure.
• Ask the veterinarian to update all mandatory and recommended non-mandatory vaccinations according to your destination (rabies, leptospirosis…).
• Ensure all official documents are signed and dated within the period required by Turkish regulations.

Precautions During Flight or Travel:

• Prefer a crate adapted to your companion’s size and physiological needs (ventilation, space).
• Gradually acclimate the animal to its crate several weeks beforehand to reduce stress.
• Provide fresh water continuously; however, avoid heavy meals just before long trips.
• Consider consulting a veterinarian about natural or medical anti-stress solutions suitable for your animal.

Pet-Friendly Accommodations in Turkey:

Many hotels, tourist apartments, and guesthouses now accept dogs and cats, sometimes for a modest surcharge. It is recommended to:

• Contact each accommodation directly to know their specific conditions (maximum size/weight, limit on number of animals…)
• Prefer accommodations near green spaces or urban parks facilitating daily walks

Common examples:

Accommodation Type	Pet Acceptance
International hotels	Often with surcharge
AirBnB apartments	According to owner agreement
Rural guesthouses	More flexible

Pet-Friendly Activities in Turkey:

• Walks in certain national parks open to leashed dogs
• “Pet-friendly” beaches on certain coasts outside tourist season
• Outdoor terraces where it’s possible to dine accompanied

However, strictly respect the mandatory leash requirement in many public spaces and systematically clean up after your dog to avoid fines.

Helping Your Animal Adapt to the New Environment:

• Quickly settle them with their familiar objects (bed, favorite toys)
• Maintain their usual routines as much as possible (meal/walk times)
• Gradually introduce them to their new territory during calm short outings
• Monitor potential signs of stress: loss of appetite, unusual agitation… Consult a professional quickly if needed
• Never let them out unsupervised, especially during the first days

To travel peacefully with your companion to/from Turkey: anticipating administrative procedures several weeks in advance remains essential; constantly ensuring physical and emotional well-being will guarantee a pleasant experience for both you and your pet.