Shipping a dog or cat from Ireland to Egypt rewards owners who start planning early. There is a fair amount of paperwork here, so plan on around 20-26 weeks. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.
Depending on …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Ireland to Egypt
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.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Ireland to Egypt pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
2
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
3
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
4
Apply for import permit from Egypt
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
5
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
6
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
7
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Egypt
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785)
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current rabies vaccination required.
Rabies titre test
Required for: May be required at customs officer discretion
Quarantine
No routine quarantine. Inspection on arrival at Cairo International Airport by GOVS vet.
Import permit
Required. Import permit from GOVS required in advance.
Health certificate
Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Valid for 14 days from issue. Embassy attestation required. Allow 2 weeks for attestation.
Export permit (Ireland)
No export permit required for pet cats and dogs.
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
Import permit application fee (Egypt)
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points to read before you book
Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
Breed restrictions apply at destination. Check if your dog is affected before booking.
Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
BRITISH
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
EGYPTAIR
EgyptAir
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg with carrier). Cargo: larger pets via EgyptAir Cargo. Connects Cairo hub to Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Egypt import/export documentation required. Advance booking recommended.
Cabin and Cargo
EMIRATES
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
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
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
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
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
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
Egypt entry requirements at a glance
The requirements for Egypt are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.
Getting the details right
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.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
FAQ
Common questions about Ireland to Egypt pet transport
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 Egypt 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 Egypt. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from the Egypt 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 Ireland. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Egypt’s authority for the exact format required.
Yes, Egypt bans or restricts certain breeds including American Pit Bull Terrier. If your dog is one of these types or a mix, contact the destination authority before making any travel arrangements.