Pet Transport from Spain to Georgia
Spain is EU, Georgia is not. The EU pet passport does not apply here. Georgia does not impose routine quarantine on compliant arrivals, but it does require advance notification to the National Food Agency (NFA) before your pet arrives. The export side involves …
The Spain to Georgia import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Veterinarian in Spain
Responsible: Veterinarian in Spain
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: MAPA-approved official veterinarian
Responsible: Owner plus airline cargo desk
What your pet needs to enter Georgia
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
All documentation must clearly state the Republic of Georgia and Tbilisi (TBS). Confusion with the US state of Georgia has caused document errors. Spell out the full country name on every form.
The EU pet passport is not valid for entry into Georgia. You need an EU export health certificate endorsed by a MAPA-approved official vet, which is a different document issued within 10 days of travel.
Confirm the current NFA advance notification process before travel. Requirements can be updated; always check nfa.gov.ge for the latest guidance.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
Why does the EU pet passport not work for Georgia?
The EU pet passport is a standardised document for movement between EU member states and a specific list of non-EU countries that the EU has formally approved. Georgia is not on that list. So while your dog or cat may already have an EU pet passport from previous travel within Europe, it has no legal function for entry into Georgia.
What Georgia’s NFA accepts is an official health certificate from the exporting country, in this case Spain, endorsed by a MAPA-approved official veterinarian. This certificate records the microchip number, rabies vaccination details, and a declaration of fitness to travel. It must be issued within 10 days of your travel date.
Contact the NFA at nfa.gov.ge before booking anything. Ask them for the exact certificate template they require and whether any specific wording is needed. Getting this confirmed before your vet prepares the document prevents problems at the border.
What does the NFA advance notification involve?
The NFA notification is the step that takes the most time and should be started first. Georgia requires you to notify the National Food Agency before your pet arrives. The process involves submitting details about your pet: species, breed, microchip number, vaccination status, and travel plans.
This is lighter than a formal import permit in countries such as Kazakhstan, but it still needs to happen before you finalise your flight booking. Contact the NFA to confirm the current notification format and any fees. Ask them specifically which health certificate template they accept from Spanish vets, so your MAPA-approved official vet prepares the right document.
Once notification is acknowledged, book cargo space with your chosen airline. Holds on Istanbul connections fill up in peak travel periods, particularly in summer.
Which airlines fly pets from Spain to Tbilisi?
There are no direct flights from Madrid (MAD) or Barcelona (BCN) to Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). Turkish Airlines via Istanbul is the most reliable option, connecting both Spanish cities to TBS on MAD-IST-TBS and BCN-IST-TBS routings. The total journey time including connection is typically 8 to 11 hours. Contact Turkish Cargo directly, not just the general booking line, to confirm pet acceptance on both legs.
Wizz Air has operated BCN-TBS services. If this option is available when you travel, check the current pet cargo policy carefully. Low-cost carriers sometimes have different cargo acceptance rules from full-service airlines, and policies change with the season.
Airline cargo fees for this routing run EUR 600 to EUR 1,900 depending on pet weight and crate size. The MAPA official vet and health certificate cost around EUR 80 to EUR 200. Total costs including crate and any agent fees generally fall in the EUR 1,100 to EUR 3,100 range.