Pet Transport from Spain to Kazakhstan
Of the Central Asia destinations covered on this site, Kazakhstan requires the most lead time from Spain. The KVCS (Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision) within Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture issues an import permit before your pet can …
The Spain to Kazakhstan 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: MAPA-approved official veterinarian
Responsible: Owner plus airline cargo desk
What your pet needs to enter Kazakhstan
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
The Kazakhstan KVCS permit has the longest lead time of the Central Asia routes from Spain. Allow 10 to 12 weeks and apply before booking any flights.
Rabies vaccination must be within the past 12 months per current KVCS requirements. A vaccination within its general validity but older than 12 months may not satisfy the KVCS; check current requirements when applying.
The EU pet passport does not cover travel to Kazakhstan. A MAPA-endorsed EU export health certificate is required.
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 Kazakhstan permit take 10 to 12 weeks?
The KVCS operates a formal review process. When you apply, you submit your pet’s details (species, breed, ISO microchip number, vaccination history including rabies vaccination date) along with your intended travel dates and the entry point, either Almaty (ALA) or Astana (NQZ). The committee reviews this information and issues the permit when satisfied.
There is no shortcut available. The 10 to 12 week estimate is the realistic window; some applications resolve sooner, but planning around the shorter end is a risk. Apply before booking flights. If the permit comes back faster than expected, you adjust the flight booking. If you book first and the permit is delayed, you have a problem.
One specific requirement to check: current KVCS guidance specifies that the rabies vaccination must be within the past 12 months. Your pet’s vaccination may be technically within its manufacturer validity period but older than 12 months, which would fail the KVCS check. Confirm the current requirement when submitting the application and revaccinate if needed before applying.
Which airlines fly pets from Spain to Almaty or Astana?
Two main options serve this route. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul connects both Madrid (MAD) and Barcelona (BCN) to Almaty International Airport (ALA) and to Astana (NQZ). Book cargo space directly with Turkish Cargo, not through the general airline booking line, and confirm acceptance on both the Spanish departure leg and the Istanbul to Kazakhstan leg.
Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier, flies direct from Frankfurt (FRA) to Almaty. To use this option from Spain, connect to Frankfurt via Lufthansa and then take the Air Astana FRA-ALA service. Air Astana has well-established cargo handling at ALA and is worth the extra connection if the timing works. Confirm interline cargo arrangements before committing to this routing.
Cargo fees from Spain to Kazakhstan run EUR 1,000 to EUR 2,500, reflecting the longer distance compared to Caucasus destinations. The MAPA official vet and health certificate add EUR 80 to EUR 200. Total costs typically fall in the EUR 1,400 to EUR 3,800 range.
How does the MAPA export health certificate process work?
Spain’s Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentacion (MAPA) maintains a list of official veterinarians authorised to endorse export health certificates. Your regular practice vet may not hold official status, so check the MAPA list at mapa.gob.es before booking the appointment.
The export health certificate records the microchip number, rabies vaccination details (including the date of vaccination, which must be within 12 months for the KVCS), and a declaration of fitness to travel. It must be issued within 10 days of your travel date. Before the appointment, confirm with the KVCS the exact format they accept from Spanish vets, so the document requires no amendments later.