Israel – Importing a Pet

Does Israel allow pets to be imported, and are there restrictions on which animals are permitted?

Israel permits the import of up to two dogs, cats, birds, chinchillas, rabbits, and certain reptiles per traveller, provided each animal is accompanied by the appropriate health documentation. Anyone wishing to bring more than two animals of any of these types, or any species not included on this list, will generally need to obtain a formal import permit from the Veterinary Services division of Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Dogs and cats entering Israel must be at least four months of age, although animals originating from countries that Israel classifies as rabies-free may be at least three months old. This age threshold applies irrespective of breed or country of origin.

Israel enforces breed restrictions on dogs considered to be dangerous, regardless of where the animal comes from. Crossbreeds involving listed dogs, and dogs that exhibit comparable physical characteristics, are subject to the same rules. Breeds that require a special import licence include the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, and Rottweiler. These animals may only be imported if the owner is over 18 years of age, the dog has been spayed or neutered, and the dog has lived with the owner for at least 18 months before the date of entry.

Israel prohibits what it categorises as cosmetic surgical procedures, including tail docking and ear cropping. Importing a pet that has undergone such alterations may not be possible. Owners whose dogs have had these procedures should contact the Israeli Veterinary Services before finalising any travel arrangements.

Wolf hybrids, as well as Savannah and Bengal cats, are generally barred from import unless the animal is at least five generations removed from its wild ancestor. According to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, a Bengal cat that does not satisfy this generational criterion cannot be brought into Israel.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) also applies and restricts the movement of certain species across international borders. This is particularly relevant for turtles and parrots, whose owners will need to submit additional permit applications before travel.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering Israel?

Israel is regarded as a high-risk country for rabies, and this classification underpins the health conditions that all incoming pets must satisfy. Rabies vaccination is the central requirement for dogs and cats, and the rules governing timing and testing are stringent.

All dogs and cats entering Israel must receive a rabies vaccination at least 30 days before arrival. The vaccine must also have been administered within the preceding year — this is an Israeli requirement even if the particular vaccine product carries a validity period of more than 12 months. In practice, this creates a vaccination window of no fewer than 30 days and no more than 12 months before the date of arrival (as of 2025).

Countries that Israel classifies as rabies-free include Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Cyprus, Singapore, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. If your pet was born in one of these countries and has remained there continuously, no rabies vaccination is required. If the animal was not born there but has lived continuously in one of these countries for more than one year, the rabies vaccination requirement is also waived. Pets from rabies-free countries follow a somewhat simplified protocol — confirm the current requirements with your national veterinary authority before departure.

For pets travelling from countries not on Israel’s rabies-free list, a blood sample must be collected at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination was administered. The test result must demonstrate a rabies neutralising antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The sample must be processed by an OIE-approved laboratory. Most accredited laboratories issue results within three to six weeks. Owners should build this turnaround into their planning — from initial vaccination through to receiving titer results, the overall process typically spans two to three months.

Israeli authorities do not require any additional vaccinations as a condition of import. Nevertheless, routine preventive vaccines — such as those covering distemper and parvovirus — are strongly advisable for the health of the animal.

All dogs and cats must carry an ISO-compliant microchip that was implanted on or before the date of rabies vaccination. This sequence is critical: the microchip must come first, followed by the vaccination. Every piece of supporting documentation must reference the same microchip number.

What is the application process for importing a pet into Israel, and what paperwork is required?

Every step involved in bringing a dog or cat to Israel must be completed in the country of origin, and must be carried out in the prescribed order. Completing any step out of sequence — for instance, administering the vaccination before the microchip has been implanted — can invalidate all subsequent documentation. The following outlines the step-by-step process for dogs and cats (as of 2025):

1. Implant an ISO microchip. The process begins with microchipping your pet. The chip must be subcutaneous and conform to ISO standards 11784 and 11785. If your pet already carries a non-compliant chip, you will need to bring your own compatible reader to the port of entry.
2. Administer the rabies vaccination. All cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before arriving in Israel. The vaccine must be given on or after the date the microchip was implanted. At this stage, obtain a signed and stamped International Certificate of Rabies Vaccination from your veterinarian.
3. Carry out the rabies titre test (if required). A blood sample must be collected at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination was given. The result must confirm a rabies neutralising antibody titre of no less than 0.5 IU/ml. Testing must be conducted by an OIE-approved laboratory. There is no mandatory waiting period once the results have been received.
4. Obtain an import permit (if applicable). An import permit is required for all pets entering Israel, except for dogs or cats travelling accompanied by their owner when the total number of pets is fewer than three. A Veterinary Import Licence is issued by the Director of Veterinary Services in Israel and sets out the specific conditions and requirements for each animal. Applications should be submitted to the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary Services well ahead of your travel date, as processing times vary.
5. Obtain a veterinary health certificate. The health certificate must be issued no more than 10 days before the pet’s arrival and must be endorsed by a government veterinarian in the country of origin. The certificate must confirm that the pet is microchipped, has been vaccinated against rabies within the 12 months preceding departure and at least one month before arrival, has undergone a rabies antibody blood test at an accredited laboratory, and shows no signs of infectious or contagious disease.
6. Complete Annex B and Annex C declarations. Israel requires the submission of a notification form (Annex B) and an owner declaration (Annex C) to Veterinary Services at the port of entry, together with copies of all health documents, no fewer than two working days before departure. The Annex C declaration confirms that the animal has been in the owner’s care for at least 90 days prior to being brought to Israel.
7. Send advance notification to Israeli Veterinary Services. For dogs and cats, notification must reach the Ramla Quarantine Station and Veterinary Services at Ben Gurion Airport at least two Israeli business days before departure. The notification should specify the type of animal, breed, sex, date of birth, microchip number, and date of most recent rabies vaccination.
8. Travel to an approved port of entry. All pets must enter Israel through one of the following designated ports: Ben Gurion Airport, Haifa seaport, Ashdod seaport, or Eilat seaport. Upon arrival, the animal will be examined by veterinary inspectors. All original documents must accompany your pet throughout the journey.

For birds, rabbits, chinchillas, and reptiles, species-specific health certificates are required. A pre-import or entry permit from Israel’s national wildlife authority may also be necessary for certain species. Verify all species-specific requirements with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture well ahead of travel, as the documentation chain for these animals differs from that applicable to dogs and cats.

Does Israel require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Pets arriving in Israel are not subject to mandatory quarantine, provided they fully comply with all import conditions — including valid rabies vaccination, titer test results, microchipping, health certificates, and any applicable permits. This represents a considerable advantage over destinations such as Australia or New Zealand, which impose compulsory quarantine periods of ten days or longer even for animals that meet all requirements.

Pets arriving as accompanied baggage or in the cabin are released directly to their owners at the point of arrival. Dogs and cats travelling under an import permit are collected from the cargo terminal at Ben Gurion Airport, as are pets transported as cargo or under special exemptions.

If a pet does not satisfy the relevant regulations, the authorities may place it in quarantine where space is available, return it to the country of origin, or euthanise it. All resulting costs are borne by the importer. This underscores how critical it is to have every document correctly completed before departure — the consequences of arriving with non-compliant paperwork are serious and may be irreversible.

Where an owner seeks an exemption from the rabies titer test requirement, the dog or cat will be required to enter quarantine upon landing in Israel. This pathway exists as a limited alternative, but it brings additional expense and stress and is not the standard route. Always verify the current quarantine conditions with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture before making travel arrangements.

Is Israel part of any international pet travel scheme?

The set of documents required to bring a pet into Israel is sometimes loosely called a “pet passport,” but this informal label should not be confused with the official EU Pet Passport that is issued within the European Union for resident animals. Israel is not a participant in the EU Pet Travel Scheme or any comparable regional arrangement.

This distinction has real practical consequences. Within the EU Pet Travel Scheme, a pet that meets EU standards and is recorded in an official EU Pet Passport can cross borders between participating countries with minimal additional paperwork. No such bilateral arrangement exists between Israel and any other nation or group of nations. Every owner relocating to Israel — wherever they are travelling from — must comply with the Israeli Veterinary Services process described throughout this article.

Israel does not maintain a list of approved countries for general pet imports. Unless your pet comes from one of the small number of countries Israel classifies as rabies-free, it will need to demonstrate a documented history of rabies vaccination and a successful titre test. This means there is no simplified fast-track pathway for pets from low-risk countries equivalent to the system used for EU-resident pets travelling within the EU.

Owners moving from EU member states should be aware that an existing EU Pet Passport will not serve as a replacement for Israeli health documentation. A fresh, country-specific health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian in the country of origin is required for every journey to Israel, regardless of what documentation is already held.

Do pet owners need to register or licence their pet after arriving in Israel?

Israeli law obliges every owner of a dog older than three months to hold a dog ownership licence. Obtaining this licence requires that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies, that a fee has been paid to the relevant municipality, and that the dog has been identified by microchip. Since microchipping is already a condition of import, expat dog owners are well positioned to complete local registration soon after settling in.

Every dog over three months of age must carry a valid and current licence. The licensing fee is collected after rabies vaccination and microchipping have been confirmed. The licence is valid for one year and must be renewed each year. If ownership of the dog changes hands, the licence must be reissued in the new owner’s name.

Rabies vaccinations and licence issuance can be arranged through a municipal veterinarian or a licensed private practitioner. The fee for dogs that have not been neutered or spayed is approximately 300 NIS higher than for sterilised animals (as of 2023 — contact your local municipality for current figures, as fees differ between authorities).

For cats, reptiles, and birds, microchipping is possible but is not a legal requirement under Israeli law once the animal has arrived. Since microchipping is a condition of import, however, your cat will already be chipped when it enters the country.

Rabies vaccination is compulsory for dogs and must be kept up to date as a condition of annual licence renewal. For cats, rabies vaccination is advisable but not legally required under Israeli law. Expat dog owners should register with a local veterinarian shortly after arrival to ensure the vaccination schedule stays current and the annual licence can be renewed on time.

Are there any additional rules or costs expats should be aware of when bringing a pet to Israel?

There are three ways to transport a pet to Israel: in the cabin, as excess baggage, and as manifested cargo. Each option carries different conditions. Miniature Bull Terriers and pets that require an import permit may only be transported as cargo. Likewise, pets entering under a dangerous breed exemption must travel as cargo shipments accompanied by an airway bill.

EL AL Israel Airlines does not accept snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds as excess baggage or cargo. Owners of breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persian cats, or British Shorthairs should liaise with their chosen airline well before booking. Airlines and shipping lines each have their own policies and requirements for transporting animals, so confirming these details directly with your carrier in advance is essential.

Pets may only arrive in Israel between 6 a.m. on Sunday and midnight on Thursday (Israeli time). Arrivals on Fridays and Saturdays are not permitted in observance of the Sabbath (Shabbat). This is an important logistical consideration when booking flights — plan your itinerary carefully to ensure your pet’s arrival falls within the permitted window.

Airlines charge fees for transporting pets based on the combined weight and dimensions of the animal and its carrier. These charges are paid directly to the airline at the airport on the day of travel, are subject to change, and airlines reserve the right to decline carriage for oversized or excessively heavy kennels. Obtain a written quote from your airline and reconfirm their pet policy close to the travel date.

Dogs and cats must be at least four months of age upon arrival in Israel. There is no maximum age limit for healthy animals, but older pets or those with pre-existing medical conditions should be assessed by a veterinarian for fitness to fly before travel is booked.

Israel’s prohibition on cosmetic surgical procedures such as tail docking and ear cropping means that pets which have undergone these alterations may encounter problems at the point of entry. If your pet has had such procedures, contact the Israeli Veterinary Services ([email protected]) before committing to any travel plans.

The total time required from beginning the process to arriving in Israel varies considerably, depending on the country of origin, the species and age of the animal, and other factors. As a general guide, the process takes anywhere from two weeks to three months. Owners travelling from countries where a titer test is required should plan for the longer end of this range, accounting for the mandatory 30-day wait between vaccination and blood draw, plus the time needed for laboratory processing.

Where can expats find official information about importing a pet into Israel?

The principal authority responsible for regulating pet imports in Israel is the Veterinary Services division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Misrad Hachaklaut). Pet owners bringing dogs or cats to Israel must follow the import procedures established by this Ministry. The Veterinary Services can be reached at [email protected] and is the authoritative source for current import requirements, health certificate templates, Annex B and Annex C forms, and import permit applications.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority (Reshut Hateva V’haganim) is responsible for regulating animals classified as wildlife, including certain exotic pets and hybrid breeds. Written authorisation to import any animal considered wildlife must be obtained from this authority several months before the planned date of arrival. The Authority typically requests detailed information about the animal before granting permission. Wildlife-related enquiries can be directed to [email protected].

The key official sources to consult are:

• Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development — Veterinary Services: gov.il — Ministry of Agriculture. The lead authority for health certificates, import permits, breed restrictions, and arrival notification requirements.
• Israel Nature and Parks Authority: npa.org.il. Required for species classified as wildlife, exotic breeds, and CITES-listed animals.
• Your origin country’s national veterinary authority: Responsible for endorsing the health certificate, conducting the export health inspection, and — where applicable — coordinating government endorsement of your documentation before travel.

The regulations governing pet imports are subject to change. Always verify the current requirements directly with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture before commencing preparations. Relying on out-of-date information — including information contained in this article — could result in your pet being refused entry, placed in quarantine, or returned to the country of origin at your expense.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my pet arrives in Israel without the correct paperwork?

A pet that does not comply with Israeli import regulations may be placed in quarantine if space is available, sent back to the country of origin, or euthanised. All resulting costs fall on the importer. There is no grace period or opportunity to remedy missing documentation after arrival, which is why it is vital to have everything in order before leaving home.

How long does the full import process take from start to finish?

The duration depends on a range of factors including the country of origin, the species, and the age of the animal. As a general rule, the process takes anywhere from two weeks to three months. The most significant time factor for most owners is the rabies titer test, which requires a minimum 30-day wait after vaccination before the blood draw can take place, followed by a further three to six weeks for the laboratory to issue results.

Do the rules differ for cats versus dogs?

The core requirements — microchipping, rabies vaccination, titer test where applicable, and a health certificate — apply equally to both cats and dogs. The principal differences are that Israel imposes breed-specific restrictions on certain dogs, and that dog owners must obtain an annual municipal licence after arrival, which is linked to rabies vaccination and microchipping. Cats are not required to hold a municipal licence under Israeli law, although microchipping as a condition of import remains mandatory for both species.

Can I import a rescue animal into Israel?

Yes, rescue animals may be imported, but they must satisfy exactly the same conditions as any other pet — an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, a titer test where required, and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. The main complication with rescue animals is establishing a reliable vaccination history. Owners must also provide a declaration (Annex C) confirming that the animal has been in their care for at least 90 days prior to import. If the animal’s history is incomplete or uncertain, contact the Israeli Veterinary Services before initiating the process.

Can my pet travel in the cabin with me?

Pets may travel in the cabin, as excess baggage, or as manifested cargo. In-cabin travel is generally available only for small animals that can be accommodated in an approved carrier beneath the seat in front, subject to each airline’s weight and size restrictions. Miniature Bull Terriers and any pet that requires an import permit must travel as cargo. EL AL does not accept brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds as excess baggage or cargo, so breed-specific airline policies must be confirmed before making a booking.

Is the EU Pet Passport accepted in Israel?

No. Although the collection of documents needed to enter Israel is sometimes informally described as a “pet passport,” this should not be confused with the formal EU Pet Passport issued within the European Union. Israel does not take part in the EU Pet Travel Scheme and does not recognise the EU Pet Passport as a substitute for its own documentation requirements. A country-specific health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian in the country of origin is required for every journey to Israel.

Can I bring more than two pets?

An import permit is required when bringing more than two of any of the following animal types: dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and rodents. A Veterinary Import Licence, issued by the Director of Veterinary Services in Israel, sets out the specific conditions and requirements applicable to each animal. Applications should be submitted well ahead of the planned travel date, as processing times are not fixed or guaranteed.

Are there any restrictions on when my pet can arrive?

Pets may only enter Israel between 6 a.m. on Sunday and midnight on Thursday (Israeli time). Arrivals on Fridays and Saturdays are prohibited in observance of the Sabbath. Animals imported under an import permit will be inspected by veterinary officers at the cargo facility on Sundays through Thursdays, between 06:00 and midnight. Travel should always be scheduled so that the pet’s arrival falls within these permitted hours.