Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Iceland to Saudi Arabia: the rules
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 2 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip or other approved identification, rabies vaccination, entry permit from MEWA (Naama platform) and original veterinary health certificate.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 3 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- On this route: import permit needed.
- No rabies blood test or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
- Coming back to Iceland? One step has to happen before your pet leaves.
Limited official guidance. The authority for entering Saudi Arabia publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. MEWA's permit page lists only the conditions below. It does not mention a rabies blood test, quarantine or which origin countries are allowed, and MEWA's older printed pet-import guide is no longer online. Those rules may still exist, so ask MEWA (call 939) what applies to your route before you travel.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
2 weeks
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Entry permit from MEWA (Naama platform) (apply at least 15 days before shipping)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- No rabies blood test
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
How early to start (cats)
2 weeks
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Entry permit from MEWA (Naama platform) (apply at least 15 days before shipping)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- No rabies blood test
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
Know the moment the rules change from Iceland to Saudi Arabia
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Rule change for pets travelling from Iceland to Saudi Arabia
Iceland: MAST's certificate is separate from the exporting country's certificate. Tap to see what changed.
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Iceland → Saudi Arabia
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Iceland (leaving) or Saudi Arabia (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
Age ruleEntering Saudi Arabia
At least 4 months old
Your pet must be at least four months old.
Details and the official words
The page doesn't say on which date the age is counted; we count it on the day your pet leaves.
“The pet must be at least 4 months old”
IdentificationEntering Saudi Arabia
Microchip or other approved identification
Your pet must be identified with an electronic microchip or another approved method.
Details and the official words
“Pets must be identified with an electronic microchip or another approved identification method.”
VaccinationEntering Saudi Arabia
Rabies vaccination
A rabies vaccination certificate must travel with your pet. The vaccination must still have at least 6 months of validity left.
Details and the official words
The page doesn't say on which date the 6 months are counted; we count them from the arrival date. It also doesn't say how long after the shot your pet may travel.
“The remaining validity period of the rabies vaccination must not be less than 6 months.”
In the days before you travel
PermitEntering Saudi Arabia
Entry permit from MEWA (Naama platform)
Apply online on the Naama platform at least 15 days before the shipping date (it takes 5–7 days and is free). The permit is valid for 30 days from issue, and your pet must enter through the port named in it.
Details and the official words
“The request must be submitted at least 15 days before the shipping date”
“The permit is valid for 30 days from the issuance date”
PaperworkEntering Saudi Arabia
Original veterinary health certificate
Your pet must travel with the original veterinary health certificate issued by the competent authorities in your country, plus the rabies vaccination certificate. You upload copies of both (and the vaccination record) with the permit application.
Details and the official words
The page gives no deadline for how recent the certificate must be.
“The pet must be accompanied by the original veterinary health certificate issued by the competent authorities and a rabies vaccination certificate (or for any other required diseases).”
Good to know
- The person applying for the permit must be at least 21 years old for a dog and at least 18 for a cat.
- Banned in Saudi Arabia, pure or mixed: Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Boxer, Mastiff, Tosa, Bulldog and Perro de Presa Canario. Dogs must belong to a breed that is allowed.
- MAST publishes its own procedure only for trips to EU/EEA countries and Great Britain. For other countries, follow the destination's import rules; some destinations need the documents officially endorsed by MAST, so contact petimport@mast.is in good time.
Cats
Get ready
Age ruleEntering Saudi Arabia
At least 4 months old
Your pet must be at least four months old.
Details and the official words
The page doesn't say on which date the age is counted; we count it on the day your pet leaves.
“The pet must be at least 4 months old”
IdentificationEntering Saudi Arabia
Microchip or other approved identification
Your pet must be identified with an electronic microchip or another approved method.
Details and the official words
“Pets must be identified with an electronic microchip or another approved identification method.”
VaccinationEntering Saudi Arabia
Rabies vaccination
A rabies vaccination certificate must travel with your pet. The vaccination must still have at least 6 months of validity left.
Details and the official words
The page doesn't say on which date the 6 months are counted; we count them from the arrival date. It also doesn't say how long after the shot your pet may travel.
“The remaining validity period of the rabies vaccination must not be less than 6 months.”
In the days before you travel
PermitEntering Saudi Arabia
Entry permit from MEWA (Naama platform)
Apply online on the Naama platform at least 15 days before the shipping date (it takes 5–7 days and is free). The permit is valid for 30 days from issue, and your pet must enter through the port named in it.
Details and the official words
“The request must be submitted at least 15 days before the shipping date”
“The permit is valid for 30 days from the issuance date”
PaperworkEntering Saudi Arabia
Original veterinary health certificate
Your pet must travel with the original veterinary health certificate issued by the competent authorities in your country, plus the rabies vaccination certificate. You upload copies of both (and the vaccination record) with the permit application.
Details and the official words
The page gives no deadline for how recent the certificate must be.
“The pet must be accompanied by the original veterinary health certificate issued by the competent authorities and a rabies vaccination certificate (or for any other required diseases).”
Good to know
- The person applying for the permit must be at least 21 years old for a dog and at least 18 for a cat.
- MAST publishes its own procedure only for trips to EU/EEA countries and Great Britain. For other countries, follow the destination's import rules; some destinations need the documents officially endorsed by MAST, so contact petimport@mast.is in good time.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Iceland publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
MEWA Pet Entry and Exit Permit (Naama)Entering Saudi ArabiaFree
“5-7 Day Service Period Immediate Response Time Free Service Cost”
Pet Entry and Exit Permit (Naama platform, Requirements tab) · as of 2026-10-13
May also apply, depending on your case
MAST endorsement of the pet health certificateLeaving Iceland6,606 ISK
“The endorsement fee is ISK 6.606.”
Export of animals: cats and dogs to EU/EEA countries, the UK and other countries (MAST) · as of 2026-10-05
MAST clinical examination and export certificate (unaccompanied pet to the EU)Leaving Iceland13,211 ISK
“The endorsement fee is ISK 13.211”
Export of animals: cats and dogs to EU/EEA countries, the UK and other countries (MAST) · as of 2026-10-05
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
We have no published vet or lab prices for Iceland yet.
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to Iceland
Do before your pet leaves Iceland (dogs)
- Rabies vaccination
Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.
The trip back asks for 18 steps: coming from a country that isn't approved: MAST's authorisation, import permit from MAST, book 14 days at a quarantine station and ISO microchip and more.
Do before your pet leaves Iceland (cats)
- Rabies vaccination
Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.
The trip back asks for 16 steps: coming from a country that isn't approved: MAST's authorisation, import permit from MAST, book 14 days at a quarantine station and ISO microchip and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Pet Entry and Exit Permit (Naama platform, Requirements tab)
- Pet Exit and Entry Permit (Naama platform, Requirements tab)
- Export of animals: cats and dogs to EU/EEA countries, the UK and other countries (MAST)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Iceland to Saudi Arabia?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Saudi Arabia?
Yes: Apply online on the Naama platform at least 15 days before the shipping date (it takes 5–7 days and is free).
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Saudi Arabia?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for Iceland to Saudi Arabia?
With nothing done yet, start at least 2 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip or other approved identification, rabies vaccination, entry permit from MEWA (Naama platform) and original veterinary health certificate.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
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Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.