Lead time needed
20-26 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Moderate
Airlines
8 carriers on this route
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Pet Transport from Ireland to Turkey

Getting a pet from Ireland to Turkey is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. This is a middle of the road route, and about 20-26 weeks of preparation usually covers it. Compliant pets are not held in quarantine on arrival. This route …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Ireland to Turkey typically takes around 20-26 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by , Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Step by step

The Ireland to Turkey import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire 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
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)

5
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

6
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

What your pet needs to enter Turkey

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted and readable at time of travel
Rabies vaccination
Required. Rabies vaccination must be current (within 12 months). For …
Rabies titre test
Required. USDA APHIS states that a valid rabies titre test is required for entry …
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for dogs and cats arriving with correct documentation. …
Import permit
No pre-travel import permit required for dogs and cats (up to 5 animals per …
Health certificate
Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Issued by: Official …
Export permit
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 …
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

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

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. …
Cargo Only
Turkish Airlines
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg with carrier on European/short-haul routes). Cargo: …
Cabin and Cargo
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic …
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa …
Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to …
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic …
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for …
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM …
Cabin and Cargo

The rules for bringing a pet into Turkey

Turkey keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.

How to keep this move on track

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.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

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 Turkey 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, and the detail worth knowing is what happens either side of it. USDA APHIS records that Turkey requires a valid rabies titre test for dogs, cats and ferrets, and that without one the animal can face a 21-day quarantine plus titre testing on arrival. The result then stays valid indefinitely, as long as vaccination cover has never lapsed since the test date and every later booster is written on the health certificate, so a titre done for an earlier move can still count. On the waiting period between sampling and travel: commercial pet-travel sites describe three months, APHIS does not mention one at all, and we have not been able to reconcile the two. Confirm it with the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry before you book. Source: USDA APHIS Turkey pet guidance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Ireland. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Turkey’s authority for the exact format required.
Yes, Turkey bans or restricts certain breeds including American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa. If your dog is one of these types or a mix, contact the destination authority before making any travel arrangements.
Airline guides
  • British Airways
  • Turkish Airlines
  • Emirates
  • Lufthansa
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Air France
  • KLM
Breed restrictions
  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • Japanese Tosa
All breed guides →

Move your pet to Turkey.

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IE TRIreland to Turkey
International pet transport route
Lead time20-26 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityModerate
Airlines8
ServiceDoor to door
Get a free quote for this route
Country and airline guides
Shipping from Ireland→Importing to Turkey→British Airways pet policy→Turkish Airlines pet policy→

Sources

Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.

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