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Pet Transport from the United Kingdom to Moldova

If you are relocating a pet from United Kingdom to Moldova, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. This is a middle of the road route, and about 4-8 weeks of preparation usually covers …

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4-8
Weeks lead time needed
Start this early minimum
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
4
Airlines on this route
Lead time needed
4-8 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Moderate
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
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In short: Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Moldova typically takes around 4-8 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Step by step

The United Kingdom to Moldova import process

01
Before any rabies vaccination
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785), if not already fitted

Responsible: UK vet

02
At least 30 days before travel; the 3-year UK vaccine is accepted by Moldova, so a currently valid dose doesn't need repeating
Rabies vaccination given, or a current booster confirmed

Responsible: UK vet

03
4-6 weeks before travel
Book routing via Vienna (Austrian Airlines), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) or Warsaw (LOT Polish Airlines), not Wizz Air

Responsible: You or your pet transport agent

04
Ideally more than 7 working days before the intended certification date
APHA Official Veterinarian booked and export application (EXA) submitted

Responsible: Owner, with the nominated OV

05
Within the certificate's validity window before travel, commonly 10 days
Export Health Certificate examination and issue

Responsible: APHA-authorised OV

06
On landing
Arrival inspection at Chisinau International Airport; documents and microchip checked

Responsible: ANSA veterinary officials

Requirements

Moldova entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required, implanted before the rabies vaccination is given.
Rabies vaccination
Required, given at least 30 days before entry. Moldova recognises the standard 3-year rabies vaccine, so a currently valid UK vaccination doesn't need repeating just because of the destination, unlike some other countries covered on this site.
Rabies titre test
Not required for a pet arriving from the United Kingdom. The UK sits in Annex II, Part 2 of the EU's Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013, the EU's own list of countries exempt from the rabies antibody titre test, and Moldova, aligning its animal health rules with the EU framework as an accession candidate, extends that same exemption to UK-vaccinated pets. Confirm current status with ANSA or the receiving vet before travel, since this classification can be revised.
Quarantine
No quarantine for pets arriving with complete, compliant documentation.
Import permit
No standalone import permit for a personal pet travelling with its owner. Non-commercial pet movements are capped at five animals per owner; a household with more than five pets would need to look at the commercial import process instead.
Health certificate
The UK-issued Export Health Certificate, examined by an ANSA veterinary official on arrival, is the document checked at the border.
Leaving United Kingdom

Export requirements

Export permit
An export application (EXA) is submitted to APHA alongside the certificate request; there is no separate standalone export permit for a companion pet.
Veterinary inspection
Clinical examination by an APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian (OV), confirming the pet is fit to travel and meets Moldova's stated health conditions.
Government endorsement
Only an APHA-authorised OV can issue and sign the Export Health Certificate (EHC). Applications submitted more than 7 working days ahead are processed 7 working days before the certification date. Source: GOV.UK, 'Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Getting an animal health certificate,' 2026.
Health certificate
Bilingual Export Health Certificate confirming microchip, rabies vaccination and general health, valid for a limited window around the travel date, typically 10 days.
Costs

What this route typically costs

APHA Official Veterinarian consultation and Export Health Certificate: GBP 200-400
Microchip and rabies vaccination, if not already current: GBP 40-90
IATA-compliant travel crate: GBP 70-250
Cargo or cabin fee, London to Chisinau via Vienna, Istanbul or Warsaw: GBP 300-900
Pet relocation agent fee, recommended for a first-time move: GBP 250-600
Total typical range: GBP 860-2,240

Critical points

Wizz Air runs the most frequent London-Chisinau service by a wide margin and carries no pets at all, aside from certified assistance dogs. Book Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines or LOT Polish Airlines instead, and don't assume your cheapest fare option handles the pet.

Moldova's titre-test exemption for UK-origin pets follows from the UK's place on the EU's own Annex II Part 2 list, a classification set at EU level and reviewed periodically. Confirm the current position with ANSA or the receiving vet close to travel rather than assuming this page's information holds indefinitely.

Non-commercial pet movements into Moldova are capped at five animals per owner. A larger household move needs the commercial import route instead, which carries different documentation requirements.

The Export Health Certificate has a short validity window, typically 10 days from the health exam to arrival. Align the vet appointment with your actual flight date rather than booking either one first without reference to the other.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

AirlineNotesType
Wizz AirThe busiest carrier by frequency between London and Chisinau, and the one that carries no pets at all, in the cabin or the hold, aside from certified assistance dogs. Booking this airline for yourself and assuming the pet will follow is the most common mistake on this route.Cargo Only
Austrian AirlinesLondon to Vienna on Austrian's own network, then onward to Chisinau on the same carrier. Cabin pets under 8kg with carrier. Hold pets up to 14kg per animal, maximum two per container. Brachycephalic breeds excluded from the hold.Cabin and Cargo
Turkish AirlinesLondon to Istanbul, then onward to Chisinau on a single ticket. Cabin pets under 8kg; brachycephalic breeds excluded from cabin and hold since October 2021. Cargo hold via Turkish Cargo, flat USD 150 fee up to 50kg.Cabin and Cargo
LOT Polish AirlinesLondon to Warsaw, then onward to Chisinau. Cabin pets up to 8kg on B787/B737 aircraft. Live animal cargo must be booked through LOT Cargo and an approved shipping agent rather than the standard passenger booking flow.Cabin and Cargo

The rules for bringing a pet into Moldova

Moldova 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.

How to keep this move on track

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.

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.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. The UK sits on the EU’s Annex II Part 2 list of countries exempt from the rabies titre test, and Moldova, aligning its rules with the EU framework as an accession candidate, extends that exemption to UK-origin pets. Only the standard microchip, rabies vaccination and Export Health Certificate apply.
No. Wizz Air does not carry pets in the cabin or the hold on any route, including its frequent London-Chisinau service, and only accepts certified assistance dogs. Use Austrian Airlines via Vienna, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, or LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw instead.
Yes. Moldova recognises the 3-year rabies vaccination, so a currently valid UK vaccine doesn’t need repeating or replacing with an annual booster purely for this move, unlike some other destinations covered on this site.
Non-commercial pet movements are capped at five animals per owner. A larger number requires the commercial import process instead, with its own separate documentation requirements.
An Export Health Certificate (EHC), issued and signed by an APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian after examining the pet. Moldova isn’t part of the EU pet passport scheme, so the blue EU passport used for intra-EU travel doesn’t apply here.
Airline guides
  • Wizz Air
  • Austrian Airlines
  • Turkish Airlines
  • LOT Polish Airlines
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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