Pet Transport UK to Cyprus: The Two Treatments You Do Not Need
If you are relocating a pet from United Kingdom to Cyprus, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Allow around 2-4 weeks. The requirements are modest compared with …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Cyprus
typically takes around 2-4 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
At any point before the rabies vaccination if not already done.
ISO microchip confirmed or implanted, predating the primary rabies vaccination.
Responsible: Your UK vet
2
Allow 21 days for the vaccination to be current before the AHC can be issued.
Current rabies vaccination confirmed. If your pet's vaccination has lapsed, re-vaccination is required.
Responsible: Your UK vet
3
2-4 weeks before travel (to secure the appointment).
Book your APHA-authorised vet appointment for the AHC. This must fall within 10 days of your travel date.
Responsible: You
4
Within 10 days of travel.
AHC issued by APHA-authorised vet within 10 days of travel, covering microchip, vaccination.
Responsible: Your APHA-authorised vet
Checklist
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must predate the primary rabies vaccination. Source: Cyprus Veterinary Services.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. UK is listed by the EU so no titre test or waiting period required. Source: EU Regulation, 2026.
Rabies titre test
Not required. The UK is listed by the EU in the category of countries from which pets can enter without a titre test. Source: GOV.UK, EU Regulation, 2026.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets. Non-compliant pets may be refused entry or placed in quarantine at the owner's expense. Source: Cyprus Veterinary Services.
Health certificate
AHC issued by APHA-authorised UK vet within 10 days of travel, recording the microchip and the rabies vaccination. Source: GOV.UK.
Export permit
No separate UK export permit required for Cyprus. The AHC is the travel document.
Health certificate
Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an APHA-authorised veterinarian in Great Britain, or an authorised vet in Northern Ireland. The AHC covers microchip, rabies vaccination. Issued within 10 days of travel. Source: GOV.UK.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your United Kingdom to Cyprus move gets missed.
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Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
easyJet
easyJet operates from London Gatwick (LGW) and London Luton (LTN) to Larnaca (LCA). easyJet accepts pets in the aircraft hold as excess baggage on routes to Cyprus. Booking must be made directly with the airline and the pet fee paid at check-in. Confirm current hold pet policy before booking as terms can change.
Hold Baggage
British Airways
British Airways operates from London Heathrow (LHR) to Larnaca (LCA). BA World Cargo accepts pets on this route. For hold-baggage pet acceptance, check with BA directly as policies differ between cabin hold and cargo.
Cargo Only
Jet2
Jet2 operates charter and scheduled services from UK regional airports to Paphos (PFO) and Larnaca (LCA). Charter airlines typically do not accept pets in the hold. Confirm with Jet2 before booking.
Charter
TUI Airways
TUI operates from multiple UK airports to Cyprus. Charter airlines typically do not accept live animals in the hold. Confirm with TUI directly before booking.
Charter
Costs
What this route typically costs
APHA-authorised vet appointment and AHC: GBP 100-300
Travel crate or carrier: GBP 30-200 if needed
Airline pet in hold fee: GBP 50-200 depending on airline and route
Total typical range: GBP 230-800
Critical points
The AHC is a one-use document. Once used for travel it cannot be reused for a subsequent trip. A new AHC is needed for each journey.
Neither a tapeworm nor a tick treatment is required for Cyprus. Plenty of guidance says otherwise, and following it means two extra vet appointments inside tight pre-flight windows for nothing. The EU tapeworm rule covers dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway. Source: European Commission, read 2026-09-02.
Cyprus has a restricted breed list that includes Pit Bull Terrier type dogs. If your dog is of a breed that may be classified as Pit Bull type, seek clarification from Cyprus Veterinary Services before starting the process.
Not all airlines flying to Cyprus accept pets in the hold. Charter airlines (TUI, Jet2) typically do not. Confirm with the airline before booking your flight.
How Cyprus handles incoming pets
Cyprus keeps its import requirements relatively light, which makes preparing easier. Even so, the basics still need to be right and in the correct order.
What experienced owners do
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. The UK is listed by the EU, meaning pets can travel from the UK to Cyprus (and other EU countries) without a titre test or waiting period, provided they have a current rabies vaccination, an ISO microchip, and a valid AHC from an APHA-authorised vet. Source: GOV.UK, EU Regulation, 2026.
No, and this is where most guidance for this route goes wrong. The EU tapeworm rule covers dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway, and Cyprus is not among them. Compulsory tick treatment was dropped from the EU pet scheme years ago and does not appear in the Commission’s current requirements at all. An earlier version of this page asked for both, inside tight pre-flight windows, which meant two vet appointments for nothing. Treating for ticks is still sensible veterinary practice in a Mediterranean summer; it is not a condition of entry. Source: European Commission, bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, read 2026-09-02.
Yes. Cats need an ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination, and a valid certificate. The same certificate covers cats, and the tapeworm rule would not apply to a cat in any case: it is a dogs-only requirement, and not one Cyprus imposes.
The AHC is issued within 10 days of travel and is valid for a single journey. It cannot be used for a return trip or a subsequent journey. You will need a new AHC each time your pet travels to Cyprus.
Most UK flights to Cyprus land at Larnaca International (LCA). Paphos International (PFO) also receives flights from some UK regional airports. Both have border inspection posts for pet arrivals. Confirm your arrival airport with the airline, as some routes only serve Larnaca.
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