In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Denmark to United Arab Emirates
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.
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Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged.
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Overview
The journey from Denmark to United Arab Emirates for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. Allow around 20-26 weeks and follow the steps in order to stay on track. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine entirely.
A rabies titre test may apply depending on where your pet is coming from, so check the requirements below. Work through the steps below in order and you will arrive in good shape.
Step by step
The Denmark to United Arab Emirates process
1
First step: must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
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
4
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from United Arab Emirates
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
5
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)
6
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
7
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
Checklist
United Arab Emirates: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. Vaccination must be administered after microchipping. Titre test may be required from certain countries.
Rabies titre test
Required for: Pets from certain non-approved or high-risk countries. Not required for: Pets from approved countries (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, EU countries, etc.). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for pets from approved countries with correct documentation. Pets with incomplete documentation may be quarantined at owner's expense.
Import permit
Required. Import permit MUST be obtained before travel. Different emirates have different application processes. Allow 1-2 weeks for processing.
Health certificate
Required. Veterinary health certificate / Official health certificate. Issued by: Government veterinarian or government-endorsed veterinarian in country of export. Certificate must confirm: rabies vaccination status, microchip number, pet is free from infectious disease, fit to travel
No formal export permit required. Destination import documentation serves as travel authority.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
2
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
3
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
4
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
5
Import permit application fee (United Arab Emirates)
6
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
⚠ Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
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
How United Arab Emirates handles incoming pets
United Arab Emirates has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.
What experienced owners do
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
FAQ
Common questions
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 United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from the United Arab Emirates veterinary authority. Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Denmark. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check United Arab Emirates’s authority for the exact format required.
Airline guides
British Airways
Emirates
Lufthansa
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Air France
KLM
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.