Switzerland

✈️

Armenia

Pet Transport Switzerland to Armenia: 2026 Guide

3-5 weeks

Typical preparation

None

No quarantine required

Low

Route complexity

✓ Managed

Full door-to-door service

Regulations verified June 2026

Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →

Overview

Switzerland to Armenia is a low-complexity route for owners whose pets already have a current rabies vaccination. Armenia does not require a titre test or quarantine. The documentation is a FSVO-authorised export health certificate from a Swiss official vet, plus proof of current rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before arrival. Most routes from Zurich connect via Istanbul to Yerevan. The total preparation time is three to five weeks if your pet’s records are in order.

Step by step

The Switzerland to Armenia process

Check now. If expired or less than 21 days old, allow time to update and wait the 21-day period.

Confirm rabies vaccination is current and at least 21 days old

Responsible: Your Swiss vet

Verify chip is readable. If not chipped, implant before the rabies vaccination.

Microchip verification (ISO 11784/11785) - strongly recommended

Responsible: Swiss vet

4-6 weeks ahead. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance on both legs.

Book airline cargo from Zurich to Yerevan (via Istanbul)

Responsible: Owner or agent

Close to travel date.

FSVO-authorised official vet issues export health certificate

Responsible: FSVO-authorised Swiss official vet

Travel day. Zurich to Yerevan via Istanbul is approximately 5-7 hours.

Travel to Yerevan. Present health certificate and vaccination records.

Responsible: Airline, owner

Checklist

Armenia: entry requirements

Requirement	Detail
Microchip	Not legally required but strongly recommended. ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit).
Rabies vaccination	Required. At least 21 days must have passed since the rabies vaccination before entry. Vaccination must be current. Source: State Service for Food Safety of Armenia (SSFS), snund.am.
Rabies titre test	Not required. Armenia does not require a rabies titre test for personal companion pets from Switzerland.
Quarantine	No quarantine for compliant arrivals.
Import permit	Not required for one or two personal companion animals accompanying their owner.
Health certificate	Veterinary health certificate from a licensed vet in the origin country, issued close to the travel date.

Leaving Switzerland

Export requirements

Requirement	Detail
Export permit	No export permit required for personal companion pets leaving Switzerland.
Health certificate	International veterinary health certificate from an official veterinarian authorised by the FSVO (Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office / BLV). Switzerland is not an EU member, so an EU pet passport cannot be issued. The FSVO-authorised vet issues an export health certificate for non-EU destinations, endorsed as required by the FSVO. Certificate issued close to the date of travel.

Costs

What this route typically costs

1	FSVO export health certificate: approximately CHF 150-350
2	Airline cargo Zurich to Yerevan via Istanbul: CHF 450-1,100
3	IATA travel crate: CHF 80-250
4	Pet transport agent (optional): CHF 350-800
5	Total typical range: CHF 700-2,300

Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ Armenia restricts certain dog breeds including Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, and Dogo Argentinos. Check your breed against the restricted list before planning the move.

⚠ Switzerland does not issue EU pet passports. Your FSVO-authorised vet issues an export health certificate for non-EU destinations. This is the correct document for Armenia.

⚠ Microchipping is strongly recommended even though it is not legally required by Armenia. A 15-digit ISO chip is the international standard and is already carried by most Swiss pets.

⚠ The 21-day minimum between vaccination and travel is a hard rule. Pets vaccinated less than 21 days before arrival will be refused entry.

Carriers

Airlines on this route

Swiss International Air Lines

Zurich (ZRH) hub. Small pets in cabin on eligible routes. Swiss WorldCargo handles larger animals. No direct Zurich to Yerevan route. Connections via Istanbul or Zurich to FRA/MUC hubs.

Cargo and Cabin

Turkish Airlines

Zurich (ZRH) to Istanbul (IST) to Yerevan (EVN). Turkish Airlines Cargo handles live animals. IST is the main transit hub for Zurich-Yerevan pet cargo.

Cargo Only

Flyone Armenia

Armenian carrier with routes from Yerevan. Check live animal cargo availability on specific routes from Zurich connections.

Cabin and Cargo

Wizz Air

Budget carrier. Does not carry live animal cargo in hold. Cabin only for small pets within airline weight limits.

Cabin Only

Switzerland's export process for non-EU destinations

Switzerland is not an EU member and does not issue EU pet passports. When exporting a pet to a non-EU country like Armenia, you need an international export health certificate from an official veterinarian authorised by the FSVO (Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, also known by its German-language acronym BLV).

Your regular Swiss vet may hold FSVO authorisation for export certification. If not, the FSVO’s website (blv.admin.ch) can help you find an authorised official vet. The certificate records microchip number, rabies vaccination status, and a veterinary health declaration, and is issued close to your departure date.

Armenia's entry requirements in plain terms

Armenia’s requirements for companion animals are manageable. The State Service for Food Safety (SSFS) administers veterinary imports and requires: a current rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before arrival, a health certificate from a licensed vet in the origin country, and no more than two personal pets per owner (without an import permit).

No titre test is needed. No quarantine applies to compliant arrivals. Armenia does not classify Switzerland as a high-risk origin for pet import purposes.

Do check Armenia’s restricted breed list. Breeds including Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, and Dogo Argentinos are prohibited. If your dog falls into one of these categories, contact the SSFS before planning the move.

Zurich to Yerevan: getting your pet there

There is no direct pet cargo route from Zurich to Yerevan. The most practical option is Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, which operates between Zurich and Istanbul, then Istanbul to Yerevan, with live animal cargo accepted on both segments.

Swiss International Air Lines can also connect from Zurich via hub airports, though the cargo coordination for Caucasus destinations requires planning. Confirm live animal acceptance on each leg before booking. Small pets may travel in the cabin on some carriers, subject to weight and carrier size limits.

FAQ

Common questions

No. Switzerland’s bilateral agreements with the EU simplify intra-EU and Switzerland-to-EU pet travel. They have no bearing on entry into Armenia, which has its own import rules. For Armenia, you need an FSVO export health certificate and a current rabies vaccination; the bilateral agreement is not relevant.

The FSVO (blv.admin.ch) maintains a list of cantonal veterinary offices (Kantonale Veterinärdienste) who can advise on authorised official vets for export certification. Your regular practice may already hold the required authorisation. Ask them directly when booking the health certificate appointment.

Yes. Armenia does not require an import permit for one or two personal companion animals accompanying their owner. For three or more pets, or for commercial movements, contact the State Service for Food Safety of Armenia (snund.am) in advance for permit requirements.

Turkish Airlines via Istanbul is the most reliable option for live animal cargo from Zurich to Yerevan. Other carriers may offer connecting routes, but not all accept live animals in the hold on the specific Yerevan leg. Confirm live animal cargo availability on every leg of the journey before booking.

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