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Pet Relocation from Dubai to Europe (EU)

No titre test and no quarantine from the UAE. Two short certificate windows and country rules, handled for you.

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Good news: the UAE is on the EU's list of countries whose pets don't need a rabies blood (titre) test, so there's no 3-month wait and no quarantine for a pet prepared correctly. What trips owners up is timing: two certificates with short validity windows, a new EU certificate form, and a few countries with extra rules. That's the part we handle.

Requirements at a glance

Requirement What the EU needs
MicrochipISO-compliant microchip, implanted or read before the rabies vaccine.
Rabies vaccineGiven at 12 weeks old or older, after the chip. Valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination; boosters must be given before the previous one expires.
Titre (blood) testNot required. The UAE is listed under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636, Annex II.
EU animal health certificateThe current EU model (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705, Annex III), completed by an official or authorised vet and endorsed by the competent authority (MOCCAE). Valid 10 days from issue to the EU entry check. The older 577/2013 form is only accepted if it was issued before 1 October 2026.
Owner declarationA signed statement that the move is non-commercial (no sale or change of ownership).
Who travelsThe owner, or a person they authorise, with the owner travelling within 5 days of the pet. Maximum 5 pets. Otherwise stricter commercial import rules apply.
Entry pointPets from the UAE must enter through a designated travellers' point of entry and be presented for document and identity checks.
UAE export certificateMOCCAE veterinary health certificate for export: apply online, the pet is examined at a MOCCAE quarantine centre (e.g. Dubai Airport Cargo Village or Dubai Airport Free Zone). Issued in 1 working day, valid 30 days. AED 100 for up to 2 pets travelling for personal reasons, AED 400 otherwise.
Tapeworm (dogs only)Needed only for Finland, Ireland and Malta (and Norway, Northern Ireland): praziquantel treatment given by a vet 24–120 hours before entry.

Step-by-step timeline

  1. 8+ weeks before the flight
    • Check the microchip scans and the rabies vaccine is still valid. A new or lapsed vaccine needs 21 days before travel.
    • Check your destination country's breed rules (see table below) and your airline's breed and snub-nose rules.
    • Choose cabin, excess baggage or cargo, and get your flight request in.
  2. 4–6 weeks before
    • Start crate training with an IATA-compliant carrier or crate.
    • Confirm the airline has approved your pet. Emirates and Etihad both need at least 7 days' notice.
  3. 1–2 weeks before
    • Apply for the MOCCAE export certificate (valid 30 days).
    • Book the vet appointment for the EU animal health certificate.
  4. Within 10 days of arrival in the EU
    • The vet issues the EU certificate and MOCCAE endorses it at the inspection.
  5. 1–5 days before arrival (dogs going to Ireland, Finland or Malta)
    • Tapeworm treatment, recorded on the certificate. For Ireland, file advance notice at least 24 hours before travelling.
  6. Arrival day
    • Go through the travellers' point of entry and present the pet, the original certificate and the declaration to the officials.

How pets fly from the UAE

  • In the cabin (Etihad, from Abu Dhabi): Etihad says it is the only UAE airline that takes small dogs and cats in the cabin. The pet must be at least 16 weeks old and weigh 8 kg or less including the carrier, in a carrier no bigger than 40 × 40 × 22 cm. The fee starts at USD 399 per flight in Economy. You submit a booking form 7 days ahead.
  • Excess baggage in the hold (Emirates): Emirates doesn't allow pets in the cabin. Pets over 4 months old can fly as excess baggage in a special area of the hold on your flight. If the carrier's length + width + height is over 300 cm, the pet must go as cargo.
  • Manifest cargo (Emirates SkyCargo and others): Used for large dogs and some routes. Many snub-nosed breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, British Shorthairs and others) are restricted except under conditions in winter (November–April).

Country-specific notes

Country Extra rules on top of the EU standard
FranceCategory 1 "attack" dogs (non-pedigree Staffordshire/American Staffordshire "pit-bull" types, Mastiff "boerbull" types, Tosa types) are banned, even in transit. Pedigree Category 2 dogs need FCI pedigree papers, and must be muzzled and leashed in public. Dogs and cats under 16 weeks can't enter.
GermanyFederal import ban on Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier and their crosses. Each state (Land) can list more breeds. There is a limited exception for visits under 4 weeks.
Spain"Potentially dangerous" breeds (Pit Bull, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, AmStaff, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Akita Inu and crosses) need a municipal licence and liability insurance of at least €120,000. Bringing them into Spain depends on holding that licence.
IrelandDog tapeworm treatment 1–5 days before arrival. Advance notice through the Department of Agriculture portal. Entry only via Dublin, Cork or Shannon airports or the approved ports, with a compliance check on arrival.
Finland, MaltaDog tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before entry.
Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and othersStandard EU rules. We check the national authority's page for your destination before every move.

Cost

Official fees we can confirm: the MOCCAE export certificate (AED 100 for up to 2 personal pets) and Etihad's in-cabin fee (from USD 399 per flight). The full cost depends on your pet's size, the route and how your pet flies, so we give you a quote on request.

Frequently asked questions

Does my pet need a rabies titre test to move from Dubai to the EU?

No. The UAE is on the EU's exempt list. You need a valid microchip, rabies vaccine, the EU animal health certificate and the declaration.

My pet's rabies vaccine is still valid. Do I need to redo it?

No. A vaccine kept valid with on-time boosters is fine. Only a first or lapsed vaccine needs the 21-day wait.

How long is the paperwork valid? I've heard 10 days and 30 days.

Both are right. The MOCCAE export certificate lasts 30 days. The EU animal health certificate lasts 10 days to the EU border check. Book your flight around the vet dates, not the other way round.

Can my cat or small dog fly in the cabin with me?

Yes, on Etihad from Abu Dhabi, if the pet plus carrier weighs 8 kg or less. Emirates carries pets in the hold only. Some European airlines also take pets in the cabin on their own flights, so we check each route.

Do I need a separate "fit to fly" certificate as well as the EU certificate?

The EU certificate already confirms your pet is fit to travel. Some airlines ask for their own fit-to-fly letter, so we check before booking.

My dog is a Staffie / pit bull type / French Bulldog. Can it come?

It depends on the country and the airline. Germany and France ban certain types outright. Spain needs a licence. Many snub-nosed breeds are restricted in the hold in summer. Message us before you book anything.

How far ahead should I start?

Ideally 6–8 weeks, longer if your pet needs a new rabies vaccine or you're flying in summer with a breed airlines restrict.

Moving to Europe?

Send us your pet's breed, weight and destination on WhatsApp at +971 50 1900 804 for a free quote.

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Other routes to and from Dubai

Dubai to United KingdomDubai to AustraliaDubai to CanadaMoving to Dubai (UAE)

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