Pet Transport from Saudi Arabia to Finland

If you are relocating a pet from Saudi Arabia to Finland, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Give yourself close to 20-26 weeks so none of the fixed waiting periods catch you out. …

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20-26

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

Moderate

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

20-26 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Moderate

Airlines

8 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Saudi Arabia to Finland 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 Saudi Arabia to Finland import process

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

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

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)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

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

Finland entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

Required (ISO 11784/11785). Before rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel

Rabies titre test

Required for: Pets from non-EU third countries not on EU listed countries list. Not required for: EU member state pets, EU-listed third country pets. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry

Quarantine

No routine quarantine for compliant pets.

Import permit

EU pet passport or AHC

Health certificate

Required. EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate (AHC). Issued by: Official veterinarian. Valid for 10 days from issue

Leaving Saudi Arabia

Export requirements

Export permit

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

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

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
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	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

Finland import rules, explained

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

Practical tips for this move

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.

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.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

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 Finland 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 Finland. Start this process as early as possible.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Saudi Arabia. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Finland’s authority for the exact format required.

Airline guides

Emirates
Lufthansa
British Airways
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Air France
KLM
Etihad Airways

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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