In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Saudi Arabia to Egypt
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged.
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Overview
A move from Saudi Arabia to Egypt with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Expect around 20-26 weeks of lead time to line up the documents and the fixed waiting periods. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.
This route does not call for a rabies titre test. Read on for the requirements, timing and carrier options for this route.
Step by step
The Saudi Arabia to Egypt 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
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from Egypt
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
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
Checklist
Egypt: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785)
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current rabies vaccination required.
Rabies titre test
Not required from rabies-controlled origins, which Egypt takes to include the UK, the EU, North America and the Gulf. No titre applies on this route.
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 from MEWA required. Apply in advance.
Health certificate
Format depends on destination. MEWA endorsement required for most destinations.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
2
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
3
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
4
Import permit application fee (Egypt)
5
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
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.
Restricted breeds
Egypt breed rules
American Pit Bull Terrier
Carriers
Airlines on this route
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Etihad Airways
Cargo: Pets travel through Etihad Cargo. Brachycephalic breeds subject to seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during Abu Dhabi summer months
Cargo Only
What Egypt requires
The requirements for Egypt are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.
Avoiding the common mistakes
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.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
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 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.
No. Egypt does not require a rabies antibody test as a standard condition of entry. If a titre has been quoted to you for this move, check whether it belongs to a transit country rather than to Egypt itself, which is a common and expensive confusion.
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 Saudi Arabia. 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.
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm
current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
IATA· International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations
MEWA· Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia