Kazakhstan is a country where international relocations are increasingly common, particularly among professionals in the energy and finance sectors. For those moving a pet to Denmark, the preparation starts well before the move itself. …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
Responsible: Kazakhstani vet
Before all vaccinations.
2
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Kazakhstani vet
After microchipping. 30-day minimum before titre blood draw.
3
FAVN titre test blood draw
Responsible: Kazakhstani vet + EU-approved lab
At least 30 days after vaccination. Ship to EU-approved lab. Blood draw date starts 90-day wait.
4
90-day wait
Responsible: N/A
Mandatory. From blood draw date. Cannot be shortened.
5
Book live cargo Almaty/Astana to Copenhagen
Responsible: Owner or transport agent
During the 90-day wait. IST routing via Turkish Airlines is most practical.
6
Ministry of Agriculture-endorsed health certificate
Responsible: Authorised Kazakhstani vet + Committee for Veterinary Control
Within 10 days of travel to Denmark.
7
Travel to Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH)
Responsible: Airline + owner
Travel day. Almaty to Copenhagen via hub is typically 9-16 hours.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Denmark
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. Must precede the first rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current vaccination. Primary vaccination: 21-day minimum before entry into Denmark.
Rabies titre test
Required. Denmark is EU. Kazakhstan is EU unlisted. Under EU Regulation 2020/692, FAVN rabies antibody titre test at an EU-approved laboratory required. Blood drawn at least 30 days after primary vaccination. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from blood draw date. Source: Fødevarestyrelsen (Danish Veterinary and Food Administration), foedevarestyrelsen.dk.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals.
Import permit
Not required for companion pets.
Health certificate
EU-format non-commercial health certificate for unlisted third countries. Ministry of Agriculture endorsed. Valid for 10 days.
Export permit (Kazakhstan)
No formal export permit required for companion pets from Kazakhstan.
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test (blood draw plus international laboratory and sample shipping): KZT 30,000-90,000 (approximately EUR 60-200)
Ministry of Agriculture health certificate and endorsement: KZT 15,000-40,000 (approximately EUR 30-90)
Live cargo Almaty to Copenhagen via hub: EUR 800-2,100 depending on routing and crate
IATA travel crate: EUR 80-350
Pet transport agent: EUR 500-1,200
Total typical range: EUR 1,200-4,000 across a 5-7 month preparation period
Critical points to read before you book
No EU-approved FAVN laboratory exists in Kazakhstan. Blood must be drawn in Kazakhstan and shipped internationally. The 2-4 week laboratory processing time is part of the overall timeline. The 90-day wait starts from blood draw, not results receipt.
Kazakhstan's Eurasian Economic Union membership covers veterinary matters within the EaEU but has no bearing on EU entry rules. The full EU unlisted process applies for Denmark.
Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH) is a major EU gateway. The Fødevarestyrelsen border post at CPH has handled many Caucasus and Central Asian pet arrivals. Documents should be thorough, correctly dated, and presented in the correct sequence.
Summer cargo embargoes: some carriers apply temperature-based embargoes on live animal cargo during hot months. If travelling June-August, confirm seasonal restrictions with your chosen carrier well in advance.
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.
AIR ASTANA
Air Astana
Kazakhstan's national carrier from Almaty (ALA) and Astana (NQZ). Air Astana operates to some European cities. Check whether live animal cargo is accepted on current routes. Frankfurt (FRA) connections are available via Air Astana's network.
Cargo Only
TURKISH
Turkish Airlines
ALA or NQZ to Istanbul (IST), then IST to Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH). Turkish Airlines Cargo handles live animals at IST. The IST-CPH route is well-served. This is the most common cargo routing for Kazakhstan-to-Denmark.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Via FRA (Frankfurt) Animal Lounge, then FRA to CPH. Air Astana connects ALA to FRA and Lufthansa provides good live animal facilities there. A practical option for larger dogs needing more care at a transit hub.
Cargo Only
LOT POLISH
LOT Polish Airlines
Via Warsaw (WAW), then WAW to CPH. LOT handles cargo from Almaty. An alternative routing if IST or FRA capacity is limited.
Cargo Only
Selecting the right EU-approved laboratory for Kazakhstan
The FAVN titre test for EU entry is not available domestically in Kazakhstan. Your vet draws the blood, packages it appropriately, and ships it to an EU-approved laboratory. Most approved labs are in the EU, UK, or North America. Common choices from Kazakhstan include labs in the Netherlands (like RHILZ, Lelystad) or France, though any EU-approved laboratory on the official list maintained by the European Commission will work.
Shipping blood internationally from Kazakhstan requires a reliable courier with experience handling biological samples. DHL and FedEx have this capability from Almaty, but confirm with your vet that the sample will be appropriately packaged (chilled, with preservative, in a leak-proof container) and that the lab’s specific shipping instructions are followed.
Allow 3-5 weeks from blood draw to result receipt when planning from Kazakhstan. Some labs take longer when receiving international samples for the first time from a new vet.
Choosing between Almaty and Astana as the departure point
Kazakhstan’s two main international airports serve different parts of the country. Almaty International Airport (ALA) is in the south and handles more international cargo routes. Nursultan/Astana International Airport (NQZ) is in the north and is the country’s official capital, with growing international connections.
For a Denmark-bound pet cargo, Almaty generally has slightly more international carrier options. Turkish Airlines, Air Astana, and LOT all operate from ALA. If you are based in Astana or northern Kazakhstan, NQZ also connects to Istanbul and Frankfurt via similar carriers, so the routing options are comparable.
Ask your transport agent which airport is preferable for the specific departure date you have in mind, as carrier schedules vary by season and some routes operate from one airport but not the other at different times of year.
FAQ
Common questions about Kazakhstan to Denmark pet transport
Yes, for entry purposes. The Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture is the competent authority that certifies the health certificate for international pet movement. Denmark’s Fødevarestyrelsen recognises this endorsement when the certificate is in the correct EU-required format for unlisted third countries. The key is that the format matches what EU Regulation 2020/692 requires, not just that the right Kazakhstani authority has signed it.
International pet transport agents operating in Almaty or Astana are the best starting point. They maintain relationships with vets who understand the EU certificate format, the FAVN titre test sample requirements, and the Ministry of Agriculture endorsement process. Avoid booking the vet appointment based on proximity alone; experience with international EU-destination moves matters for getting the certificate format right.
A failed titre test (result below 0.5 IU/ml) means the vaccination must be repeated and a new blood draw performed at least 30 days after the new vaccination. The 90-day wait then starts fresh from the new blood draw date. A first failure adds roughly 4-5 months to the timeline. To reduce the chance of failure, ensure the vaccine used is an inactivated product administered at the full manufacturer dose, and allow at least 30 days (preferably 6-8 weeks) between vaccination and blood draw.