Moving Your Pet from the UAE to Cyprus: Microchip, Rabies and EU Entry Rules (2026)

Moving a dog or cat from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Cyprus is simpler than many owners expect. The UAE is on the EU's list of countries with a low rabies risk, so a pet that has lived there needs no rabies blood test: just a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel and an EU animal health certificate signed or endorsed by a UAE official vet within 10 days of arrival. The harder parts are logistics: the direct flights from Dubai carry pets as cargo, summer heat limits some breeds, and the paperwork has to be timed to the day.

This guide covers the UAE side and what is different for a pet coming from outside the EU. For the general Cyprus rules, read our guide to bringing a dog or cat to Cyprus, and for the whole move, our complete guide to moving from Dubai to Cyprus.

Is the UAE a "listed" country for EU pet travel?

Yes. New EU rules for the non-commercial movement of pets, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, replaced the old Regulation 576/2013 on 22 April 2026. Under them, the European Commission keeps a list of non-EU countries whose pets can enter without a rabies antibody titration test, and as of October 2026 the United Arab Emirates is on that list, along with Bahrain, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore and others.

The exemption depends on your pet's journey, not only your address. A titre test is needed if your pet:

• comes from a country that is not on the list, for example if you adopted a dog in India, Egypt or Lebanon and it has not been through the UAE route described here; or
• is scheduled to transit a non-listed country. A transit through an airport is allowed without the test only if the pet stays inside the aircraft or the airport perimeter, and you may be asked for a declaration that it had no contact with animals that can carry rabies.

When the test is needed, the blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before the health certificate is issued, and tested at an officially designated laboratory, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. That adds at least four months to your timeline, so check your pet's history early.

What does a pet need to travel from the UAE to Cyprus?

The requirements come from the EU model animal health certificate in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705, which applies from 22 April 2026.

Once your pet has passed the entry checks in Cyprus, the same certificate can be used for further travel within the EU for up to six months, or until the rabies vaccination expires if that comes first. After you settle in Cyprus, a local vet can issue an EU pet passport: see our guide to travelling with pets from Cyprus.

How do you get the MOCCAE export certificate in the UAE?

Every pet leaving the UAE needs a veterinary health certificate for export from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). According to Khaleej Times, you apply online through the MOCCAE website's service directory, log in with UAE Pass, pay online and have the animal examined, then receive the certificate electronically. Ask MOCCAE or your relocation firm when and where the pet must be presented for inspection before the flight. Check the current fee on the MOCCAE service page.

Check the validity printed on your MOCCAE certificate; the EU certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Cyprus, so the EU deadline is the one that sets your dates. Most owners ask their Dubai vet or a relocation firm to coordinate both.

Which airlines fly pets from Dubai to Larnaca?

Two airlines fly direct between Dubai and Larnaca: Emirates and Cyprus Airways, with a flight time of about four hours (2026). Neither carries cats or dogs in the passenger cabin on this route.

Emirates SkyCargo runs a dedicated pets service with a 24/7 team in Dubai, according to Khaleej Times (27 March 2026). Its leaflet says listed snub-nosed breeds (such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pekingese, Persians and Exotic Shorthairs) and their crosses are not accepted, except under specific conditions in the winter season, November to April. Cyprus Airways does not accept snub-nosed breeds in the hold at all. If you have a flat-faced breed, plan the move for the cooler months.

Khaleej Times reported in March 2026 that demand for pet relocation from the UAE had surged during regional flight disruption, so cargo space can fill up. Confirm your pet's booking before you finalise your own flight.

Should you use a pet relocation company in Dubai?

You can do it yourself, especially if your pet flies on the same Emirates flight as you. Many owners still use a relocation firm, because cargo bookings, IATA-compliant crates, the MOCCAE inspection and the 10-day EU certificate all have to line up. These Dubai firms publish pet export services; we list them alphabetically and don't rank or endorse them.

Ask each firm for a written quote that lists the airline, the crate, the certificates included and what happens at Larnaca.

How long before the move should you start?

What happens when your pet lands in Cyprus?

Pets arriving from outside the EU must enter through an approved point of entry, which in practice means Larnaca or Paphos airport. Give the Cyprus Veterinary Services district office at your arrival airport at least 48 hours' notice, with the flight number, arrival time and your contact details. Officials scan the microchip and check the original certificate. A pet with missing or wrong papers can be refused entry, returned or isolated at your expense. Pets cannot cross into the Republic through the north.

Keep the original certificate, vaccination record and declaration in your hand luggage, not in the crate.

What changes for pet owners after Dubai?

• Registration and licence. Dogs must be registered by a vet and licensed every year by your municipality or community council. Some breeds cannot be kept at all. Our guide to pet care in Cyprus has the details.
• Renting. Before you sign a lease, check that the landlord accepts pets and put the permission in writing in the contract: see renting in Cyprus.
• Heat and parasites. Cyprus summers are still hot, and ticks, sandflies and mosquitoes are a year-round concern for dogs. Find a clinic in our vets by city guide.
• More outdoor life. Some beaches, cafés and restaurants welcome dogs; see our list of pet-friendly beaches, cafés and restaurants.

The rules in this guide are the same whatever your nationality. EU, British, Indian, Filipino or Russian owners all follow them; what changes the paperwork is where your pet has lived and travelled.

What to do next

Check your pet's microchip and vaccination dates this week, then work back from your flight using the timeline above. Read bringing a dog or cat to Cyprus for the Cyprus arrival rules, plan the rest of your household move with shipping your belongings and car from Dubai to Cyprus, and keep everything on track with our complete guide to moving from Dubai to Cyprus.