GB
United Kingdom
✈️
IL
Israel
Pet Transport UK to Israel: No Titre Test, But an Import Permit Is Essential
8-10 weeks
Typical preparation
3 days
Quarantine on arrival
Medium
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Israel
typically takes around 8-10 weeks.
Expect 3 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.
Regulations verified
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
Overview
Relocating a pet from United Kingdom to Israel follows a clear path once you understand what Israel asks for. Allow around 8-10 weeks and follow the steps in order to stay on track. Plan for 3 days of quarantine on arrival.
No rabies titre test is required. Follow the sequence below and keep a buffer for anything that slips.
Step by step
The United Kingdom to Israel process
1
Before any vaccinations. Must precede rabies vaccination.
Confirm ISO microchip is implanted and registered
Responsible: Vet
2
Vaccination must be documented and valid. Allow at least 21 days after a first vaccination before travel.
Ensure rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: Vet
3
At least 60 days before travel. Do not book flights without the permit.
Apply for Israeli import permit
Responsible: Owner, via veterinary.moag.gov.il
4
After permit is confirmed. Pet cargo bookings often fill up, especially in summer.
Book cargo or cabin transport with El Al or British Airways
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
5
Within 10 days of travel. Book APHA-authorised vet appointment in advance.
APHA Export Health Certificate
Responsible: APHA-authorised vet, then APHA endorsement
6
On travel date. Allow for the 1-3 day inspection hold on arrival.
Travel to Israel; arrival inspection at Ben Gurion
Responsible: Airline cargo, then Israeli Veterinary Services
Checklist
Israel: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. Must be implanted and functional before rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. UK is classified as a rabies-free country by Israel's Veterinary Services, so the titre test is waived. Your pet needs a current rabies vaccination documented in the health certificate. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required for pets arriving from the UK. Israel classifies the UK as a rabies-free country, exempting UK-resident pets from the titre test requirement. |
| Quarantine | All arriving pets undergo a mandatory veterinary inspection at Ben Gurion Airport Quarantine Station. With correct paperwork, this is an inspection hold of 1-3 days, not extended quarantine. |
| Import permit | Required. Apply to the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary Services at least 60 days before travel. Do not book flights until the permit is confirmed in writing. |
| Health certificate | Official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by an APHA-authorised vet and endorsed by APHA. Valid for entry within 10 days of issue. Must list microchip, rabies vaccination, and all required details. |
Leaving United Kingdom
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal UK export permit required. The APHA-endorsed certificate covers export documentation. |
| Health certificate | APHA Export Health Certificate issued by an APHA-authorised vet and endorsed by APHA. Certificate must list microchip number, rabies vaccination details, and all treatments. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Cargo airline fee: £700 to £1,800 from Heathrow to Tel Aviv depending on crate size and season |
| 2 | APHA Export Health Certificate and endorsement: £150 to £350 |
| 3 | Israeli import permit fee: varies, check current schedule with Veterinary Services |
| 4 | Pet transport agent fee (optional but recommended): £400 to £1,200 |
| 5 | IATA-compliant travel crate: £60 to £350 |
| 6 | Inspection hold accommodation: costs vary by facility |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Apply for the Israeli import permit at least 60 days before travel. The permit must be confirmed before you book transport.
⚠ The UK is on Israel's approved rabies-free list, which means no titre test is needed. Ensure your vet documents this correctly on the health certificate.
⚠ Israel bans several breeds including Pit Bull Terrier types, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, and Japanese Tosa. Verify breed status before applying.
⚠ The APHA health certificate is only valid for 10 days. Time vet appointments carefully so the certificate is current on arrival.
⚠ All pets undergo an arrival inspection at Ben Gurion Airport. With correct paperwork this takes 1-3 days. Non-compliant pets can be refused entry.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
El Al Israel Airlines
Direct Heathrow to Tel Aviv. Primary carrier for this route. Pet cargo via El Al Cargo; limited cabin options for small pets in approved carriers.
British Airways
Heathrow to Tel Aviv Cargo. Pets travel as accompanied cargo via IAG Cargo and PetAir UK. Advance booking required.
Wizz Air / easyJet
Budget carriers may permit cabin travel for small dogs and cats on some routes. Check current pet policies as these change. Not suitable for larger dogs.
How Israel handles incoming pets
Israel keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.
What experienced owners do
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. Israel classifies the UK as a rabies-free country, which means pets arriving from the UK are exempt from the rabies antibody titre test requirement. You still need a current rabies vaccination documented on the health certificate, an ISO microchip, and a confirmed import permit. The exemption applies because the UK has rabies-free status in Israel’s regulatory framework.
Apply at least 60 days before the planned travel date. The permit is issued by the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary Services, and processing can take several weeks. Do not book flights or cargo space until the permit is confirmed in writing, as travel without a permit will result in your pet being refused entry or quarantined at your expense.
El Al Israel Airlines operates direct flights from Heathrow to Tel Aviv and has cargo and limited cabin pet options. British Airways also operates this route with pet cargo via IAG Cargo and PetAir UK. Budget carriers such as Wizz Air and easyJet may allow small pets in the cabin on some routes but policies change, so always verify directly. For dogs over around 8 kg combined weight with carrier, cargo is the standard option.
All imported pets go through a mandatory veterinary inspection at the Ben Gurion Airport Quarantine Station. With the correct import permit, APHA health certificate, and valid vaccination documentation, the inspection hold is typically 1-3 days. The Veterinary Services team checks the paperwork and examines the animal. If documentation is incomplete or incorrect, the pet may be held longer or refused entry and returned to the UK at the owner’s expense.
Ready to book
United Kingdom to Israel?
United Kingdom to Israel?
Get a free quote →
No commitment. We reply within one business day.