Lead time needed
16-20 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Moderate
Airlines
2 carriers on this route
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Pet Transport from Lithuania to Turkey

Relocating a pet from Lithuania to Turkey follows a clear path once you understand what Turkey asks for. This is a middle of the road route, and about 16-20 weeks of preparation usually covers it. Compliant pets are not held in quarantine on arrival. This …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Lithuania to Turkey typically takes around 16-20 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.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The Lithuania 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
Before the rabies vaccination.
Confirm ISO microchip is implanted and scannable.

Responsible: Vet in Lithuania.

2
At least 21 days before the titre test blood draw if this is the primary dose.
Administer or confirm current rabies vaccination.

Responsible: VMVT-authorised vet.

3
At least 30 days after vaccination; result must clear 0.5 IU/ml.
Draw blood for the FAVN titre test at an accredited laboratory.

Responsible: Vet and laboratory.

4
Counted from the blood draw date, not the result date.
Wait out the 90-day post-draw period.

Responsible: Owner.

5
Within 10 days of travel.
Obtain a separate, non-passport export health certificate endorsed by the VMVT.

Responsible: VMVT-authorised vet and the food and veterinary service.

6
Once the 90-day wait has cleared and the certificate is current.
Travel Vilnius to Istanbul direct.

Responsible: Turkish Airlines cargo handling.

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
ISO 11784/11785 required, implanted before the rabies vaccination and readable …
Rabies vaccination
Required, current within 12 months. Minimum age 3 months at first vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required. Turkey is not an EU member and does not accept the exemptions that …
Quarantine
No routine quarantine with a complete, compliant titre test result. 21 days at …
Import permit
No pre-travel import permit for personal pets.
Health certificate
Official Veterinary Health Certificate, valid for 10 days from issue, in English …
Export permit
No export permit required for a companion pet leaving Lithuania.
Costs

What this route typically costs

FAVN rabies titre test at an accredited laboratory: EUR 130-220.
VMVT-endorsed export health certificate and vet examination: EUR …
Direct cargo fee, Vilnius to Istanbul: EUR 450-800 depending on crate …
IATA-approved travel crate: EUR 140-380.

Critical points

Lithuania's other routes in this build lean entirely on the EU pet passport. Turkey doesn't accept it. A separate certificate and the full titre test protocol are required instead, and treating this route like an intra-EU move will cost weeks of delay.

The 90-day wait is counted from the blood draw, not the lab result date. Book the test as early as your pet's vaccination schedule allows.

Turkey bans the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Rottweiler and their crosses under Law No. 5199, amended in 2021.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

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

Turkish Airlines
Direct Vilnius-Istanbul cargo service, a regularly served route between the two capitals.
Cargo Only
airBaltic
Vilnius to Istanbul via Riga, a fallback option that keeps the pet within the same …
Cargo Only

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

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

No. Turkey is not an EU member and doesn’t accept the passport’s exemptions. A separate export certificate and a full titre test are required.
Yes. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, with a 90-day wait from the draw date before entry.
Yes. Turkish Airlines operates it direct, with airBaltic via Riga as a fallback.
Yes. Turkey bans the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Rottweiler and their crosses under Law No. 5199, amended in 2021.
Airline guides
  • Turkish Airlines
  • airBaltic
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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LT TRLithuania to Turkey
International pet transport route
Lead time16-20 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityModerate
Airlines2
ServiceDoor to door
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