Lead time needed
10-12 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Medium
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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ES
KZ

Pet Transport from Spain to Kazakhstan

If you are relocating a pet from Spain to Kazakhstan, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Give yourself close to 10-12 weeks so none of the fixed waiting periods catch you out. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine entirely. Use the …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Spain to Kazakhstan typically takes around 10-12 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Regulations checked
Step by step

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.

1
At least 10 to 12 weeks before intended travel. This is the longest-lead step on this route.
Apply for KVCS import permit

Responsible: Owner or agent

2
Before vaccination if not yet chipped.
Confirm microchip is ISO 11784/11785 compliant

Responsible: Veterinarian in Spain

3
If vaccination is approaching 12 months old, revaccinate before applying for the permit.
Confirm rabies vaccination is current and within past 12 months

Responsible: Veterinarian in Spain

4
Book directly with airline cargo departments. Air Astana FRA-ALA and Turkish Airlines connections are both popular; confirm space on every leg.
Book flight cargo space once permit is confirmed

Responsible: Owner or agent

5
Within 10 days of travel. Confirm exact KVCS-accepted format before the appointment.
EU export health certificate issued by MAPA-approved official vet

Responsible: MAPA-approved official veterinarian

6
3-4 hours before departure. Bring KVCS import permit, original health certificate, vaccination record, microchip documentation.
Travel day: present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: Owner plus airline cargo desk

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Kazakhstan

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip required.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. KVCS requirements typically specify …
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals at Almaty International Airport …
Import permit
KVCS import permit required from the Committee for Veterinary Control and …
Health certificate
EU export health certificate from Spain endorsed by MAPA-approved official vet. …
Export permit
No separate export permit required for companion animals leaving Spain. The …
Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo fees MAD/BCN to ALA or NQZ via connection: EUR …
MAPA-approved official vet fees and EU export health certificate: EUR …
KVCS import permit application fees: confirm with the Ministry of …
IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 60-300
Pet transport agent (strongly recommended for first-time international …

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.

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
Main connecting option from Madrid (MAD) and Barcelona (BCN). Routes MAD-IST-ALA, …
Cabin and Cargo
Air Astana via Frankfurt
Air Astana flies direct FRA-ALA from Frankfurt. Connect from Spain to Frankfurt via …
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
MAD/BCN to Frankfurt (FRA) via Lufthansa, then connection to ALA via Air Astana. Confirm …
Cargo Only

Kazakhstan import rules, explained

Kazakhstan has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.

Practical tips for this move

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

Kazakhstan’s Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision (KVCS) operates a formal import permit process with processing times that typically run 10 to 12 weeks from application to issue. The KVCS reviews the pet’s documentation, the health certificate format, and the travel details before issuing the permit. There is no way to shorten this window, which is why the permit application should always come before flight booking.
Yes, current KVCS requirements specify that the rabies vaccination must be within the past 12 months, not just within the manufacturer’s stated validity period (which is often 1 to 3 years depending on the product). If your pet’s rabies vaccination is more than 12 months old at the time of travel, the KVCS will likely reject the import permit. Check the exact requirement when you submit your application and revaccinate well before applying if necessary.
Both Almaty International Airport (ALA) and Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) in Astana are accepted entry points for pets. Almaty has more international connections, particularly via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines and via Frankfurt on Air Astana. Astana is the capital city and may be more convenient if that is your final destination. Check available cargo routing to each airport and base the choice on where you are actually relocating.
Turkish Airlines via Istanbul covers MAD-IST-ALA and BCN-IST-ALA routings and has a well-established cargo process for connecting shipments at Istanbul. Air Astana flies direct FRA-ALA from Frankfurt, so a connection from Spain to Frankfurt via Lufthansa, then onwards to Almaty on Air Astana, is a practical alternative. For any connecting itinerary, book cargo space directly with the cargo department of each carrier and confirm pet acceptance on every leg separately.
There is no routine quarantine for fully compliant arrivals at Almaty (ALA) or Astana (NQZ). Kazakhstan requires the KVCS import permit, a valid ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination (within 12 months), and the official health certificate from Spain. The permit is what most often causes problems: pets that arrive without a valid permit risk being held or returned. Apply for the permit first, before booking anything else.
Airline guides
  • Turkish Airlines
  • Air Astana via Frankfurt
  • Lufthansa
Breed guides

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Move your pet to Kazakhstan.

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ES KZSpain to Kazakhstan
International pet transport route
Lead time10-12 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityMedium
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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