Turkey
The Republic of Türkiye spans two continents — most of the country occupies the Anatolian peninsula in West Asia, with a smaller portion extending into Southeast Europe. Istanbul is the main international gateway for pet arrivals by air.
At a Glance
Bringing a pet into Turkey requires a mandatory rabies antibody blood test (RNATT), a 90-day wait after that test, and Turkey's own EK-2 health certificate — regardless of which country the pet is travelling from. No quarantine is required if all documentation is complete before arrival.
📋
Health Certificate
Required (EK-2)
🔬
Blood Test (RNATT)
Required
📄
Import Permit
Not Required
🐾
Min. Age
4 months
⏱
Min. Prep Time
~4 months
⭐
Difficulty
Difficult
The ~4 month minimum prep time results from the mandatory rabies titer blood test (RNATT): blood must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, followed by a 90-day wait before the pet is eligible to travel. Start planning well in advance.
Key Requirements
Microchip
An ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785) is required. It must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is given — the microchip date must appear earlier than the vaccination date on all documentation. The chip number must be recorded on the pet passport and all veterinary certificates.
Rabies Vaccination
Required for all pets. The vaccination must have been administered between 30 days and 12 months before entry. The microchip must already be in place at the time of vaccination. The vaccination date is day 0 for calculating the blood test waiting period.
Rabies Blood Test (RNATT)
Required for all pets entering Turkey, including those from rabies-free countries. A blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination (counting the vaccination date as day 0). The test must be performed by an EU-approved laboratory and show a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. After the blood draw date, the pet must wait a further 90 days before it is eligible to travel. If the rabies vaccination chain is maintained without a lapse, the titer result remains valid indefinitely.
Additional Vaccinations — Dogs
Dogs must be vaccinated against bordetella, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus, in addition to rabies. All vaccinations must be current and recorded in the pet passport.
Additional Vaccinations — Cats
Cats must be vaccinated with the FVRCP vaccine (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia), in addition to rabies. All vaccinations must be current and recorded in the pet passport.
Parasite Treatment
Internal and external parasite treatments within one month before entry are strongly recommended. Treatment against Echinococcus (tapeworm) is particularly advised, as regulations may be tightened without prior notice.
Health Certificate (EK-2 Format)
Turkey does not accept standard foreign-format health certificates. All pets must enter with Turkey's own document, the EK-2 health certificate, issued and signed by the official government veterinary authority of the origin country within 48 hours before departure. For pets travelling as manifest cargo, preliminary permission must be obtained in advance from the Istanbul Airport Veterinary Border Control Point Directorate.
Veterinary Entry Document
No formal import permit is required. However, it is strongly recommended to obtain a Veterinary Entry Document from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry one day before arrival at Istanbul Airport, to expedite clearance on the day of travel.
Breed Restrictions
The following breeds and their mixes are prohibited from entering Turkey: Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. Verify your pet's breed eligibility before starting any preparations.
Pet Limit Per Person
A maximum of 2 pets per person are permitted entry into Turkey. Each animal requires its own individual set of documentation. Pets must travel accompanied by their owner.
⚠️ Turkey's pet entry rules change frequently and are enforced strictly. Always verify current requirements with a certified pet relocation specialist before making any arrangements.
Preparation Timeline
1
Microchip
Assumed already present — must be implanted before rabies vaccination
2
Rabies Vaccination + Core Vaccines
Ensure up to date; at least 30 days before blood draw
3
Rabies Blood Test (RNATT)
At least 30 days after vaccination — EU-approved laboratory only
4
90-Day Wait
From blood draw date — mandatory, cannot be shortened
5
Parasite Treatment
Within 1 month before departure (strongly recommended)
6
Health Certificate (EK-2)
Within 48 hours before departure — Turkey-specific format only
Frequently Asked Questions
Is quarantine required when entering Turkey?
No quarantine is required if all documentation is in order, including a valid RNATT result and the EK-2 health certificate. Pets arriving without a valid rabies titer test may be subject to a 21-day quarantine and on-arrival testing at the owner's expense.
Do I need a blood test even if my pet comes from a rabies-free country?
Yes. Turkey requires the rabies antibody titer test (RNATT) for all pets, regardless of the origin country's rabies status. There are no exemptions. The test must be carried out by an EU-approved laboratory and show a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Do requirements change depending on which country I'm travelling from?
The core requirements — RNATT blood test, 90-day wait, and EK-2 health certificate — apply the same way regardless of the pet's country of origin, since Turkey does not grant exemptions based on a country's rabies status. What can differ is which government veterinary authority issues and signs the EK-2, and how that authority's local process and timelines work. Always confirm the exact steps with a certified pet relocation specialist for your specific country of departure.
What is the EK-2 health certificate?
EK-2 is Turkey's own official veterinary health certificate format. Standard health certificates issued in the format of the origin country are no longer accepted at Istanbul Airport. The EK-2 must be completed and signed by the official government veterinary authority of the origin country within 48 hours before departure. A certified specialist can guide you through obtaining it →
How long does preparation take?
At minimum around 4 months. The rabies vaccination must be given first, then blood must be drawn at least 30 days later, followed by a mandatory 90-day wait from the blood draw date before the pet is eligible to travel. If the pet is not yet vaccinated or vaccinations have lapsed, start planning at least 5 months in advance to allow for any delays.
Which breeds are prohibited from entering Turkey?
Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, and mixes of these breeds are not permitted to enter Turkey. Check your pet's breed eligibility with a certified specialist before starting the process.
Can I bring more than 2 pets?
No. Turkey allows a maximum of 2 pets per person. Each pet requires its own complete set of documentation. Pets must be accompanied by their owner and cannot be shipped unaccompanied under the personal pet allowance.
What is the minimum age for a pet to enter Turkey?
Pets must be at least 4 months old. In practice, however, the full preparation process — microchip, vaccination, blood test, and the 90-day wait — means most pets will be considerably older by the time all requirements are met before travel.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary depending on pet size, origin country, and transport method. Request a free personalised quote →
Ready to start planning?
Every pet's situation is different. Get a free, no-obligation quote from a certified pet relocation specialist.
⚠️ The information on this page is provided for reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify all requirements with a certified pet relocation specialist before booking travel or making any arrangements for your pet.