Pawscleared

Bringing your cat from Portugal to the UAE

Bringing a cat to the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi…) needs a MOCCAE import permit, a microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, and a vet health certificate endorsed by your country's authority. A rabies titre test is only required from higher-risk countries — most of the EU is exempt.

⏳ Allow 1–2 months
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Key pitfall: the microchip MUST be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination — a vaccine given before the chip is rejected. You also need a MOCCAE import permit (valid 90 days, max 2 pets per person per year). A rabies titre test is required only from higher-risk countries (e.g. the USA); most EU/UK origins are exempt.

Calculate your deadlines

Enter your travel date: we work back in time to give you the deadline for each step, personalised for Portugal → United Arab Emirates.

The 7 steps, in order

  1. 1. Implant an ISO-compliant microchip

    Have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted. It must be readable and match the number on every document — and it must be done BEFORE the rabies vaccination.

  2. 2. Rabies vaccination (after the microchip)

    Vaccinate the cat against rabies on or after the microchip date. A vaccination given before the chip is not accepted.

  3. 3. Rabies titre test (higher-risk countries only)

    Required ONLY when importing from a higher-risk country (e.g. the USA). The blood sample must be taken at least 21 days after vaccination, at an approved laboratory. Most EU/UK origins are low-risk and do NOT need this test.

  4. 4. MOCCAE import permit

    Apply for the import permit from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MOCCAE). It is valid 90 days; a maximum of 2 pets per person per year may be imported.

  5. 5. Veterinary health certificate (MOCCAE model)

    Have the MOCCAE-model veterinary health certificate issued and endorsed by the government authority of the country of departure, shortly before travel.

  6. 6. Book the flight (early)

    Book your cat's flight as early as you can. On Emirates and most Gulf carriers, cats travel only as manifested cargo, never in the cabin, and space is limited — this date is a comfortable recommendation to start early, not a hard deadline.

  7. 7. Travel to the UAE

    The cat arrives with the permit and certificate and is cleared at the airport. No facility quarantine for compliant pets.

From another country?

Official sources:

Pawscleared provides preparation guidance based on official sources. The binding conditions are those published by the UAE Ministry (MOCCAE). Titre requirements depend on the country of origin and may change with the epidemiological situation. Always confirm with the official links above before you travel.