Dog or cat from Northern Ireland (UK) to Egypt: the rules

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Egypt

      ISO microchip, before the rabies vaccination

      Your pet must have an ISO-compliant microchip, put in before its rabies vaccination, and the microchip number must be written on all its documents. The UK's guidance for Egypt (October 2025) still also accepts a tattoo or a description, but Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture listed the microchip as mandatory in December 2025, so have one put in.

      Details and the official words

      Egypt's requirement reached us through Australia's export database (Micor), which records the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture's correspondence of 18 December 2025 for pets entering Egypt. It is newer than the US and UK documents that don't require a chip; we follow it because it is Egypt's own, more recent statement.

      “The following basic health requirements are mandatory for pets entering Egypt:”

      “The pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip.”

      “The pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip.”

      “Based on correspondence received from the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture on 18 December 2025.”

      “Animal microchips are not required for entry into Egypt”

      “Dogs and cats should be identified either by tattoo or microchip number or by a full description including coat colour and type, markings, weight, breed, sex and declared age.”

   2. VaccinationEntering Egypt

      Rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies after its microchip, at least 21 days before it travels, and the vaccination must still be valid when it enters Egypt. Bring separate proof: an up-to-date pet passport or a document from the vet practice showing the date(s), the vaccine's name and supplier, the batch number and the expiry date.

      Details and the official words

      Egypt doesn't say whether a booster restarts the 21 days. We count them from the first vaccination of your pet's current, unbroken series; if a booster falls within 3 weeks of the trip, ask the Egyptian embassy.

      “A valid Rabies Vaccination Certificate is required.”

      “The rabies vaccine must be administered after microchipping and at least 21 days prior to travel and remain valid at the time of entry.”

      “The rabies vaccine must be administered after microchipping and at least 21 days prior to travel and remain valid at the time of entry.”

      “Egypt require separate evidence that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies.”

      “This can either be in an up to date Pet Passport or a document provided by the veterinary practice.”

      “Passport & Proof of Vaccinations for rabies”

      “Ont été vaccinés contre la rage par un vaccin inactivé”

   3. Blood testEntering Egypt

      From the UK: rabies blood test (ask when to do it)

      The Egyptian consulate in London lists a blood test showing rabies antibodies among the documents, and asks you to check with your vet when to do it. Neither the consulate nor the UK's export guidance gives the pass level or a deadline; 0.5 IU/ml is the usual international standard. Ask the consulate whether your pet needs it.

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      The UK's export guidance for Egypt (3900NFG, October 2025) asks only for proof of the rabies vaccination and doesn't mention a blood test, and neither does the list Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture gave Australia in December 2025; the consulate's FAQ does. Until the consulate confirms, plan for the test.

      “Passport & Proof of Vaccinations for rabies, blood test (to show rabies antibodies, please ask your Vet when to administer the test.”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. PaperworkNorthern Ireland (UK) and Egypt

      Official veterinary health certificate

      An Official Veterinarian completes the UK's export health certificate for Egypt (3900EHC) for pets travelling with their owner, not for sale. The clinical examination must be no more than 96 hours (4 days) before export, so the certificate and both legalisations (next step) have to fit into those 4 days.

      Details and the official words

      Export health certificate from your authorised private vet practice: The authorised private vet practice (aPVP) you chose in DECS issues the final certificate. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.

      “An official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a government-authorized veterinarian in the country of origin is required.”

      “The certificate must be issued within the valid period prior to travel.”

      “3900EHC may be used to accompany dogs and cats, not intended for sale, exported to Egypt accompanied by their owners”

      “The clinical examination should be carried out no more than 96 hours prior to export.”

      “This certificate is valid for 14 days after issuance.”

      “I certify that the animals described in box 21 have been inspected by me on this date and appear to be free of any infectious or contagious diseases”

      “Ont été examinés au cours des 24 dernières heures, ont été trouvés en bon état de santé et n’ont présenté aucun signe clinique de maladies contagieuses propres à l’espèce.”

      “Ont été identifies à l’aide d’une micropuce électronique.”

      “You will also be asked to select your chosen authorised private veterinary practice (aPVP) from a drop down menu within the application, who will be responsible for issuing the final EHC”

   2. Official stampEntering Egypt

      From the UK: legalise the certificate at the FCDO, then at the Egyptian consulate

      Have the export health certificate legalised by the UK government's Legalisation Office (FCDO), then by the Egyptian Consulate General in London (GBP 20). The consulate legalises it the same day if you bring it in person and pay in cash; by post, send a postal order and a prepaid return envelope.

      Details and the official words

      The certificate can only be signed within 96 hours of export, so plan the legalisations in advance: the UK guidance gives UrgentLegalisation@fcdo.gov.uk for short deadlines.

      The consulate's FAQ still names the old Foreign and Commonwealth Office; the UK guidance points to the current Legalisation Office.

      “An Official Export Health Certificate from your Vet and legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and then legalised at our Consulate office.”

      “Send all documents to our Consulate together with a postal order in respect of our fee (GBP20)”

      “If you choose to bring it in person, please pay our fee in cash and the legalisation can be done the same day.”

      “For the purposes of legalising the above certificates, exporters should apply to the Legalisation Office”

   3. Official stampLeaving Northern Ireland (UK)

      Apply for the export health certificate in DAERA's DECS

      For a non-EU destination you usually need an export health certificate (EHC). You apply yourself in the DAERA Export Certification System (DECS), filling in the certificate for your destination and choosing an authorised private vet practice (aPVP). Apply no earlier than 10 days before export; DAERA advises applying at the latest 2 days before.

      Details and the official words

      “An Export Health Certificate (EHC) is usually required if the final destination of the animals is a non-EU country, whether the export is commercial or non-commercial.”

      “EHC applications for the export of pets to Third Country destinations are made by the pet owner using the DAERA Export Certification system (DECS).”

      “NOTE: The earliest you can apply is 10 days before the planned date of export. However, we also advise applying at latest 2 days before planned date of export.”

The trip back asks for 6 steps: microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait and animal health certificate and more.

The trip back asks for 5 steps: microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait and animal health certificate and more.