Pet Transport from Germany to the UAE: Import Permits, Health Certificates and Flights

Shipping a dog or cat from Germany to United Arab Emirates rewards owners who start planning early. Around 6-8 weeks is typical, with a straightforward sequence to work through. No routine quarantine …

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6-8

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

Moderate

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

6-8 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Moderate

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Germany to United Arab Emirates typically takes around 6-8 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The Germany to United Arab Emirates import process

First action, before any vaccinations. Microchip must precede rabies vaccination.

Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip (if not already done)

Responsible: Your vet in Germany

After microchip. If first vaccination, allow 21 days before travel. Boosters within validity: no additional wait.

Administer rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your vet in Germany

4-6 weeks before travel. Dubai: apply via Dubai Municipality. Abu Dhabi: apply via ADAFSA. Allow 1-2 weeks for processing.

Apply for UAE import permit from the receiving emirate

Responsible: Owner or specialist pet transport agent

3-5 weeks before travel. Confirm breed eligibility and seasonal restrictions.

Book cargo or cabin space with chosen airline

Responsible: Owner or agent

Within 10 days of departure from Germany

German official vet issues UAE-format health certificate; countersigned by state vet authority or BMEL

Responsible: German official vet plus state veterinary authority or BMEL

3-4 hours before scheduled departure for cargo; 2 hours for cabin

Deliver pet and all documents to airline cargo desk on departure day

Responsible: Owner

On arrival at DXB, AUH, or SHJ

UAE border inspection on arrival; microchip scan and documentation review

Responsible: UAE authorities plus owner

Requirements

United Arab Emirates entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip required. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is administered for the vaccination record to be valid. Source: MOCCAE, moccae.gov.ae.

Rabies vaccination

Current rabies vaccination required. Must be administered after microchip implant. First vaccination carries a 21-day wait before travel; boosters within validity have no additional wait. Must be valid at time of entry into UAE.

Quarantine

No routine quarantine for compliant pets arriving from Germany. Penalty quarantine applies if documentation is incomplete or non-compliant on arrival.

Import permit

Required from the receiving emirate's municipality before travel. Dubai: Dubai Municipality (dm.gov.ae). Abu Dhabi: ADAFSA (adafsa.gov.ae). Allow 1-2 weeks for processing. Permit must accompany the pet on travel.

Health certificate

Official health certificate in UAE-required format issued by a German official vet, countersigned by state veterinary authority or BMEL. Certificate must confirm microchip number, current rabies vaccination, that the pet is free from clinical signs of infectious disease, and fit to travel. Source: MOCCAE, moccae.gov.ae.

Leaving Germany

Export requirements

Export permit

No separate export permit required from Germany for pets. The government-endorsed AHC covers the departure.

Health certificate

Animal Health Certificate (AHC) in UAE-required format, issued by a German official vet and endorsed by the relevant state veterinary authority (Landesveterinäramt) or BMEL. Must be issued within 10 days of departure from Germany. EU pet passport is not accepted by UAE authorities. Source: BMEL, bmel.de.

Costs

What this route typically costs

Microchip implant (if not yet done): approx. EUR 50-80 at a German vet

Rabies vaccination or booster: approx. EUR 60-120 at a German vet

UAE import permit fee: varies by emirate, typically AED 100-300

BMEL-endorsed health certificate: approx. EUR 150-350 including official vet fee and state endorsement

Airline cargo fees (Frankfurt or Munich to Dubai): approx. EUR 500-2,000 depending on pet size and crate

IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 80-350 depending on size

Specialist agent fee if used: EUR 500-1,200

Critical points

Germany is an approved country for UAE import, so no titre test is required. However, the import permit from the relevant emirate municipality is mandatory and must be obtained before travel.

The health certificate must be in UAE-prescribed format and endorsed by a German state veterinary authority or BMEL. A standard German vet certificate without government countersignature will not be accepted.

Temperature embargoes apply during Gulf summer months (June to September). Emirates and other carriers may refuse pet cargo when ground temperatures at DXB exceed safe thresholds. Avoid scheduling travel in peak Gulf summer if possible.

Several dog breeds are restricted or prohibited in UAE emirates regardless of origin country. Confirm your breed is admissible before any bookings are made.

The EU pet passport is not valid for UAE entry. A separately prepared AHC is required even if your pet holds a valid EU passport.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Emirates	Most direct option from Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC) to Dubai (DXB). All pets travel as manifested cargo via Emirates SkyCargo; no cabin option on Germany-UAE routes. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply in Gulf summer months (June to September).	Cargo Only
Lufthansa	Cabin option for small pets (up to 8kg including carrier) on Frankfurt or Munich to Dubai routes. Larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo. Check current cabin eligibility as policies change.	Cabin and Cargo
Flydubai	Operates cargo pet transport on select European routes including connections through Dubai (DXB). Advance booking required; confirm routes and documentation requirements directly.	Cargo Only
Air Arabia	Cargo pet transport available on select European routes via Sharjah (SHJ) hub. Check routing availability from German airports.	Cargo Only

Meeting United Arab Emirates's entry requirements

Getting a pet into United Arab Emirates is a middle of the road process. The rules are well defined, so most of the work is simply staying on schedule.

Advice worth following

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 about this route

No. Germany is an approved country for UAE pet imports, so no rabies titre test is required. You need a current rabies vaccination, an ISO microchip implanted before the vaccination, an import permit from the relevant emirate, and a German government-endorsed health certificate in UAE-required format. The absence of a titre test requirement makes this route much shorter than Germany to Australia or the UK.

The permit is issued by the municipality of the emirate where your pet will live. For Dubai, apply through Dubai Municipality (dm.gov.ae). For Abu Dhabi, apply through ADAFSA (adafsa.gov.ae). Other emirates have their own authorities. Apply four to six weeks before travel and allow one to two weeks for processing. The permit must travel with your pet.

Small dogs (under 8kg including carrier) may travel in the cabin on Lufthansa services from Frankfurt or Munich to Dubai, subject to availability and breed restrictions. On Emirates, all pets travel as manifested cargo; there is no cabin option. Brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, and similar) face restrictions on most carriers regardless of travel class.

Possibly, if you travel between June and September. Ground temperatures at Dubai International Airport regularly exceed the thresholds at which airlines are permitted to carry live animals in cargo. Emirates SkyCargo and other carriers impose embargoes during these periods. If your move falls in Gulf summer, build contingency into your schedule or consider an early morning or late evening flight when temperatures are lower. Confirm the embargo status with your airline and agent before finalising travel dates.

No. The EU pet passport is valid for intra-EU travel and movements to a limited set of countries that have bilateral agreements with the EU. The UAE is not on that list. For UAE entry you need a separate official health certificate in UAE-prescribed format, endorsed by a German state veterinary authority or BMEL. Keep the EU passport for any intra-EU travel before departure, but prepare the AHC as a separate document for the UAE leg.

Airline guides

Emirates
Lufthansa
Flydubai
Air Arabia

Breed restrictions

Pit Bull Terrier and related types (restricted)
American Staffordshire Terrier (restricted)
Rottweiler (restricted in some emirates)
Dogo Argentino (restricted)
Fila Brasileiro (restricted)
Japanese Tosa (restricted)
Perro de Presa Canario (restricted)

All breed guides →

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