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.
