Nuances of transporting pets to TRNC

If you are planning to move to Northern Cyprus and want to take your pet with you, this article is for you. Moving with animals requires serious preparation, compliance with veterinary regulations, and obtaining permits. On average, moving one pet costs approximately $200–400.

Important: animals can only fly into Ercan Airport. Crossing the border from Southern Cyprus to the North with animals is prohibited. Pets can also be brought in by ferry from Turkey.

Below, we will examine each point in detail.

Important breed restrictions

In Northern Cyprus (as in the Republic of Cyprus), it is prohibited by law to import, breed, and keep certain breeds of dogs that are considered dangerous, as well as their crossbreeds:

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Argentine Dogo (Dogo Argentino)
• Japanese Tosa Inu
• Fila Brasileiro

If your dog belongs to one of these breeds or has obvious signs of being a crossbreed, it will be denied entry. It is important to take this into account before you start preparing your documents.

What documents are needed for export

To transport a cat or dog, you will need:

• An international veterinary passport in English
• A microchip (mandatory)
• Veterinary certificate form No. 1 (issued 5 days before departure)
• International certificate (issued at the airport based on form No. 1)
• Rabies antibody test (titers)
• Import permit from the TRNC veterinary service (issued in advance by email)

Veterinary requirements

• Animal age — older than 3 months
• Mandatory vaccinations (cats — 2 (feline enteritis, feline influenza), dogs — 4 infectious diseases (hepatitis, parvo, distemper, leptospira))
• Rabies vaccination — at least 1 month before departure
• Titer test — one month after vaccination
• Treatment for parasites before departure
• Carrier (the dimensions of the container are selected according to the size of the pet; the container must have an absorbent diaper covering the bottom and a water bowl)

Upon arrival at the airport, a veterinarian checks the documents and examines the animal. In rare cases, the pet may be quarantined for up to 3 days. If there is no rabies antibody test, temporary isolation may last up to 90 days. In this case, the owner is responsible for the costs of keeping the animal during this period.

How much does it all cost?

Preparation of documents

• Titer test: $80–150
• Microchipping: $15–30
• Certificates and paperwork: $20–40

Fees on the territory of the TRNC

• Import permit: about $3
• Inspection fee: about $1.5
• Road tax: less than $1

Registering animals on the island

After bringing your pets into the country, you need to officially register them:

• Visit a veterinarian
• Register the animal with the state veterinary service
• Obtain a license from the municipality. The license costs approximately $22. It must be renewed annually.

Conclusion

Moving to Northern Cyprus with a pet is a straightforward and achievable process. Financially, it is not the most expensive part of relocation, but it is important to allow time for paperwork. If everything is prepared correctly, your pet will move with you without any problems and quickly adapt to a new sunny life by the sea.

Top 3 projects for living with pets

2.5 mil – a complex of cozy villas located just 2 km from the beach. Each villa has a summer house, fountain, and landscaped area. The area is equipped with all the necessary infrastructure for living and recreation. The airport can be reached in just 30 minutes, and a large shopping center in 7 minutes.

Price: from $721 886

Handover: Q2 2026

Lilium Park – spacious apartments with Asian minimalist design. All apartments have built-in appliances and storage systems, as well as equipped bathrooms. Residents have access to a gym, basketball court, playground, sauna, and indoor pool. All necessary infrastructure is within a 5-minute walk of the complex. Famagusta is 15 minutes away, and Ercan Airport is 30 minutes away.

Price: from $136 205

Handover: Q4 2026

Casa Del Mare is an elegant residential complex on the beachfront. The residences are presented with a clean finish, built-in plumbing, and storage systems. You can additionally choose heated floors throughout the house, as well as the option of full furnishing. The premium infrastructure includes a gym, sports and children's playgrounds, a tennis court, heated outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a spa center, a restaurant, a bar, and more. The local market is a 5-minute walk away, the prestigious Korenium Golf Club is a 5-minute drive away, and the city of Kyrenia is 30 minutes away. Ercan International Airport is 40 minutes away.

Price: from $131 983

Handover: Q3 2028