Bringing Pets to Georgia: Import Rules for Cats & Dogs (2026)

This guide explains the rules for bringing cats, dogs and ferrets into Georgia as a non-commercial movement—that is, where the animals accompany their owner (or an authorised person), are not intended for sale or transfer of ownership, and remain under the owner’s responsibility.

It provides general information only. Before travelling, always confirm the current requirements with the competent Georgian authorities.

The applicable rules are set out in Government Resolution No. 551 of 16 November 2018 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals across the customs border of Georgia. Veterinary requirements are administered by the National Food Agency (NFA), while border controls are carried out by the competent border authorities in accordance with Georgian legislation.

Which animals this guide covers

The non-commercial movement rules covered by this guide apply to three species:

• dogs (Canis lupus familiaris);
• cats (Felis silvestris catus); and
• ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

These rules apply where the animal accompanies its owner or an authorised person and remains under that person’s responsibility throughout the movement.

Other animals—including birds, rodents, rabbits and hares, reptiles, amphibians and most invertebrates—are subject to different veterinary requirements and import procedures. If you intend to bring another type of pet into Georgia, confirm the applicable requirements directly with the National Food Agency before travelling.

Entry requirements for cats, dogs and ferrets

To bring a cat, dog or ferret into Georgia under the non-commercial movement rules, the animal must satisfy all applicable veterinary and documentary requirements described below.

Requirement	What is needed
Identification (microchip)	A microchip (transponder) complying with ISO Standard 11784 and using HDX or FDX-B technology, readable by an ISO 11785 scanner. A clearly legible tattoo is accepted only if it was applied before 1 January 2020.
Rabies vaccination	A valid rabies vaccination administered and recorded in accordance with the applicable veterinary requirements.
Rabies antibody test	Where required, a valid rabies antibody titration (titre) test meeting the applicable veterinary requirements. Whether this test is required depends on the country or territory of departure.
Parasite treatment	Treatment with a broad-spectrum anthelmintic against internal and external parasites (endoparasites and ectoparasites), where required under the applicable rules.
Veterinary document	A properly completed Health Certificate. Where accepted under the applicable rules, an EU pet passport or another recognised veterinary document may be presented instead.
Owner’s declaration	A signed declaration confirming that the movement is non-commercial.

The microchip should be implanted before or at the time the relevant veterinary procedures are carried out so that the animal can be reliably identified. The animal’s identification details, rabies vaccination and, where applicable, the rabies antibody titration test should be recorded in the Health Certificate, EU pet passport or other recognised veterinary document.

The requirements for rabies vaccination, rabies antibody titration testing and any parasite treatment vary depending on the country or territory of departure and may change over time. Before travelling, always confirm the current veterinary requirements with the National Food Agency and do not rely solely on general guidance or unofficial sources.

What the Health Certificate must contain

The Health Certificate (or, where accepted, the EU pet passport or other recognised veterinary document) must include, as applicable, at least the following information:

• the location of the microchip (or tattoo), its identification code, and the date of implantation or reading;
• the animal’s species, breed, date of birth, sex and colour;
• the certificate number;
• the owner’s name and contact details;
• the name, contact details and signature of the certifying veterinarian;
• details of the rabies vaccination;
• the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody titration test, where applicable;
• confirmation of any preventive veterinary measures required under the applicable rules; and
• details of the competent certifying and inspecting authority, together with the inspection date.

The owner’s signed declaration (Annex No. 5 to the Rules), confirming that the movement is non-commercial, must accompany the Health Certificate or other accepted veterinary document.

Number of animals

As a general rule, no more than five cats, dogs or ferrets may accompany a single owner or authorised person as part of one non-commercial movement.

A larger number is permitted only where all of the following conditions are satisfied:

• the animals are travelling for the purpose of competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, or training connected with such events;
• the owner provides written evidence that the animals are registered for the relevant event or with the organising association; and
• the animals are more than six months old.

Where these conditions are not met, the movement falls outside the non-commercial regime and is subject to the veterinary import requirements and official controls applicable under Georgian legislation.

Entry points and border controls

Pets should enter Georgia through a customs checkpoint authorised to carry out the relevant veterinary controls.

The Revenue Service is responsible for customs border procedures, while veterinary requirements are administered by the National Food Agency (NFA) in accordance with Georgian legislation.

On arrival, be prepared to present the Health Certificate (or, where accepted, the EU pet passport or other recognised veterinary document), together with the owner’s signed non-commercial declaration and any other supporting documents requested by the competent authorities.

Before travelling, confirm the current entry procedures and documentary requirements with the National Food Agency or the Revenue Service, as administrative procedures may change.

Before you travel

Before travelling to Georgia with your pet:

• confirm the current rabies vaccination and, where applicable, rabies antibody titration test requirements for your country or territory of departure;
• make sure the microchip complies with the applicable ISO standards and that its identification number matches all veterinary documents;
• obtain a properly completed Health Certificate (or, where accepted, an EU pet passport or other recognised veterinary document), together with the required non-commercial declaration; and
• check that the number of animals travelling complies with the five-animal limit, unless one of the statutory exceptions applies.

---

This guide provides general information only and does not constitute legal or veterinary advice. Veterinary import requirements, documentary requirements and administrative procedures may change over time. Before travelling, always confirm the current requirements with the National Food Agency and, where appropriate, the Revenue Service of Georgia.

Frequently asked questions

Which pets can I bring into Georgia as a non-commercial movement?

Dogs, cats and ferrets (polecats) may be moved into Georgia as a non-commercial movement when they accompany their owner or an authorised person. Other species — including birds, rodents, reptiles and invertebrates — are subject to separate veterinary inspection rules and should be checked with the National Food Agency before travel.

Does my cat or dog need a microchip?

Yes. The animal must be identified by a microchip (transponder) meeting ISO standard 11784 using HDX or FDX-B technology and readable by an ISO 11785 reader. A clearly legible tattoo is accepted only if it was applied before 1 January 2020. The microchip code must appear in the veterinary document.

Is a rabies antibody titre test required?

The rules list a valid rabies vaccination and a rabies antibody titration (titre) test among the conditions for non-commercial movement, alongside parasite treatment and a Health Certificate. Because the required timing and validity periods depend on the country of departure and are periodically updated, confirm the current requirement with the National Food Agency before you travel.

How many animals can I bring?

Up to five animals may accompany one owner or authorised person in a single non-commercial movement. More than five is allowed only for competitions, exhibitions, sports events or related training — with written proof of registration for the event and where the animals are more than six months old. Otherwise the animals fall under general veterinary import inspection.

What veterinary document does my pet need?

A duly completed Health Certificate. An EU pet passport, or an equivalent identification document issued by another country, may be presented instead. It must record the microchip details, species and description, rabies vaccination, the rabies antibody test, other preventive treatment, and the issuing veterinarian's details. A signed owner's declaration confirming the movement is non-commercial must also be submitted.

Who is responsible for pet import rules in Georgia?

The National Food Agency (Sesal/NFA) is the competent veterinary authority that sets and supervises animal import requirements; the Revenue Service carries out checks at the customs border. The legal basis is Government Resolution No 551 of 16 November 2018.