Pet Travel from the UK to Türkiye: Dog & Cat Import Requirements

Sebastian Miller

Jun 16

3 min read

Istanbul skyline with mosques and minarets above the Bosphorus, ferries on blue water, and seagulls under a clear sky.

Step 1 — Confirm Travel Type (Accompanied vs Unaccompanied)

Most pets travel to Türkiye accompanied by their owner. In these cases, no import permit is required.

An import permit is only needed if your pet is travelling unaccompanied (cargo without the owner). Without a permit, unaccompanied pets may be refused entry.

We’ll confirm your travel type at the start of the process.

Step 2 — Microchip Check

Your pet must be microchipped before certification.

We will:

scan and verify the microchip
ensure the number matches all vaccination and export documents

Step 3 — Rabies Vaccination

Your pet must have a valid rabies vaccination:

given at 12 weeks (90 days) of age or older
using an authorised inactivated rabies vaccine
recorded on an official vaccination certificate

If the rabies vaccine was given abroad and the pet was legally imported into the UK under pet travel rules, it can still be accepted.

Step 4 — Rabies Blood Test

A rabies antibody blood test is mandatory — especially if your pet may later return to the EU or UK.

Blood sample should be taken at least 30 days after rabies vaccination

Helps ensure sufficient antibody levels

Prevents future travel delays for return journeys

Calm white-and-brown cat sits on a colorful striped rug beside a white potted plant outside a café window.

Step 5 — Book Your Pet’s Flight

Once your destination requirements and timeline are confirmed, you should arrange your pet’s flight with an airline or approved pet transport company.

When booking:

confirm the airline accepts pets for your chosen route
check whether your pet must travel as manifest cargo or accompanied baggage
ensure the arrival airport is approved for live animal entry where required
confirm crate size and airline transport rules
share your planned flight date with us so we can schedule all veterinary checks, tests, and certificate timing correctly

We recommend booking flights before the final certification appointments, but only after the medical and permit timelines have been reviewed to avoid date conflicts.

Step 6 — Request the Export Health Certificate (EHC 3818)

Before we can certify your dog for travel to the Türkiye, the official Export Health Certificate (EHC 3818) must be requested from DEFRA.

To start this process:

You confirm us as your chosen Official Veterinarian
Once you have chosen your Official Veterinarian, you must request the correct Export Health Certificate from DEFRA — for the Türkiye this is EHC 3818 (Export of cats and dogs to Türkiye).
The EHC is then issued through DEFRA to us for completion and signing

We guide you through this request step to make sure the correct certificate is issued and linked to your export — please do not apply for a certificate without confirming the details with us first.

Step 7 — Final Clinical Examinationltw1 (Within 24 Hours)

A final clinical exam must be completed within 24 hours of export.

At this visit we:

examine your pet
confirm they are clinically healthy and fit to travel
complete and sign the Export Health Certificate

Timing is critical — this appointment is scheduled close to your flight.

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Ready to Start Your Pet’s Türkiye Travel Paperwork?

If you’re planning to travel from the UK to Türkiye with your dog or cat, we can help make the process clear, organised, and stress-free.

Complete our enquiry form and we’ll review your pet’s details, travel dates, vaccination history, and certification requirements so we can guide you through the next steps.

Ready to get started? Click below to begin your Türkiye pet travel enquiry.

Start a Request