CA
MT
Pet Transport from Canada to Malta
Relocating a pet from Canada to Malta follows a clear path once you understand what Malta asks for. Allow around 20-26 weeks and follow the steps in order to stay on track. Compliant pets are not held …
Get your free quote →20-26
Weeks lead time needed
Start this early minimum
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
10
Airlines on this route
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Canada to Malta
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Step by step
The Canada to Malta import process
01
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
02
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
03
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
04
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
05
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
06
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
Requirements
Malta entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Before or on same day as first rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel
Rabies titre test
Required for: Pets from non-listed countries. Not required for: EU/listed countries. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant pets. Penalty quarantine applies if documentation is non-compliant
Import permit
Not required
Health certificate
Required. EU Pet Passport or AHC. Issued by: Official vet. Valid for 10 days from issue
Leaving Canada
Export requirements
Export permit
No CFIA export permit required for personal pet exports. Some destination countries may require CFIA endorsement of health certificate.
Health certificate
Required. Issued by CFIA District Veterinarian or accredited veterinarian (endorsed by CFIA if needed).
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
| Airline | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Air Canada Cargo handles pet transport in heated/pressurised hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round | Cabin and Cargo |
| British Airways | Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route. | Cargo Only |
| Emirates | Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region) | Cargo Only |
| Lufthansa | Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round | Cabin and Cargo |
| Singapore Airlines | Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons | Cargo Only |
| Cathay Pacific | Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met | Cargo Only |
| Air France | Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes | Cabin and Cargo |
| KLM | Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo | Cabin and Cargo |
| Delta Air Lines | Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Delta Cargo handles larger pets in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo | Cabin and Cargo |
| American Airlines | Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: American Airlines Cargo handles pet transport. Seasonal temperature embargoes apply | Cabin and Cargo |
How Malta handles incoming pets
Malta keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.
What experienced owners do
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in Malta for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Malta. Start this process as early as possible.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Canada. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Malta’s authority for the exact format required.
Move your pet
to Malta.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. We map the complete preparation timeline and costs. No commitment required.
Get my free quote