Skip to content
Pawhopper

Pet travel route

Dog or cat from the United Arab Emirates to Bahrain

Possible. There is no official waiting period for a dog, but you still need: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit, rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate and cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section and 2 more.

Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 4 official pages

In short

Limited official guidance. The authority for entering Bahrain publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Bahrain publishes only a short description of its cat and dog import permits (in the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture's 2024 services guide, in Arabic) and a list of documents on the Customs Affairs website. Neither says whether a microchip is needed, which vaccinations are required or how long before travel, the minimum result, laboratory or timing of the rabies blood test, how recent the health certificate must be, how long the permit is valid, or which countries pets may come from. Ask the Veterinary Quarantine Section (vetquarantine@mun.gov.bh, +973 17987039) before you book anything.

At a glance

How early to start (dogs)

No official wait

whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated

No official wait still means appointments: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit, rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate and cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section and 2 more. Book them early; lab and paperwork times are not counted.

On this route (dogs)

  • Rabies blood test needed
  • Import permit needed
  • No quarantine
  • Tell the authority in advance

How early to start (cats)

No official wait

whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated

No official wait still means appointments: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit, rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate and cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section and 2 more. Book them early; lab and paperwork times are not counted.

On this route (cats)

  • Rabies blood test needed
  • Import permit needed
  • No quarantine
  • Tell the authority in advance

Prefer a feed reader? United Arab Emirates rule changes · Bahrain rule changes

United Arab Emirates → Bahrain

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Each step says whether the United Arab Emirates (leaving) or Bahrain (entering) asks for it.

Dogs

  1. Get ready

    1. VaccinationEntering Bahrain

      Vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit

      Before it issues the permit, the Veterinary Quarantine Section checks your pet's vaccination booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete. The guide doesn't list the vaccinations or say how long before travel they must be given. Bahrain also asks for a rabies blood test, which is only meaningful for a pet vaccinated against rabies, so have your pet vaccinated against rabies and ask the section which other vaccinations it wants.

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

      Details and the official words

      Neither the ministry's guide nor Customs names rabies vaccination as such. We list it because the rabies blood test is asked for, and we mark it for confirmation.

      “والتأكد من دفتر التطعيمات”

      “وإكمال كافة التطعيمات المطلوبة”

    2. Blood testEntering Bahrain

      Rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate

      Your pet needs a rabies blood test (a rabies antibody neutralisation test, RANAT), and its certificate is shown on arrival with the health certificate. Neither the ministry nor Customs says what result is needed, which laboratory to use or how long before travel the blood sample must be taken: ask the Veterinary Quarantine Section before you book the test.

      Details and the official words
    3. PermitEntering Bahrain

      Cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section

      Apply in person at the Veterinary Quarantine Section of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture (you, or someone holding your power of attorney if you aren't in Bahrain). Bring a copy of your pet's vaccination booklet and a copy of your ID card. The section checks the booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete, then issues the permit. The fee is 5 Bahraini dinars for a personal import. The guide gives no processing time or validity period, so apply well before you travel.

      Details and the official words

      Cats and dogs are separate permits (services 112 and 113 in the ministry's guide). The guide doesn't say whether one permit covers several animals.

      Bahrain Customs says to contact the Veterinary Quarantine Section before importing a dog or cat. Email vetquarantine@mun.gov.bh or call +973 17987039 or 17987364.

      “تصريح إستيراد قطط”

      “تصريح إستيراد كلب”

      “يجب على صاحب الطلب الحضور إلى قسم المحاجر البيطرية لطلب إصدار تصريح إستيراد كلب”

      “نسخة من دفتر التطعيمات”

      “صورة من بطاقة الهوية وصورة من السجل التجاري أو توكيل عن الشخص المستورد في حال عدم تواجده”

      “5 دينار للشخصي”

      “To contact the Veterinary Quarries Department before importing”

      “vetquarantine@MUN.GOV.BH”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. PaperworkThe United Arab Emirates and Bahrain

      Original government health certificate and certificate of origin

      Your pet arrives with an original government health certificate from the country it comes from and an original certificate of origin, together with the rabies blood test certificate. The pages don't say how recent the health certificate must be or what it must state.

      Details and the official words

      MOCCAE veterinary health certificate: Register in MOCCAE's digital services system, fill in the electronic form, pay (AED 100 for up to 2 pets for personal use), then your pet has a physical examination (and lab tests if the destination needs them). The certificate is issued electronically, usually in 1 working day, and is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

      “عند الوصول شهادة صحية حكومية وشهادة منشأ وشهادة فحص دم عن مرض السعار”

      “Importing live animals (dogs and cats)”

      “An original government health certificate”

      “An original certificate of origin”

      “valid for 30 days from the date of issuance”

      “The time to obtain the service : 1 working days”

    2. NoticeEntering Bahrain

      Tell the Veterinary Quarantine Section when your pet arrives

      Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Contact the section in advance and tell it the date and time of arrival, so the checks aren't delayed. No deadline is given.

      Details and the official words

      The Customs page still uses the ministry's older name (Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning). Today it is the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture.

      If this is missed: If you haven't arranged it, Customs contacts the Veterinary Quarantine and you must wait until its representative arrives and completes the procedures.

      “Domestic animals accompanying the traveler are restricted and subject to the control of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning - Veterinary Quarantine.”

      “The matter requires that the traveler or the importer coordinate in advance with the concerned parties in the regulatory authority and inform them of the date and time of arrival to prevent any delay in completing the necessary procedures.”

      “In the event that the traveler or the importer does not coordinate, the customs will contact the regulatory authority, and the traveler or importer must wait until the representative of the control authority arrives and finish the necessary procedures.”

Good to know

  • Bahrain Customs lists dog breeds that may not be imported, 'such as' Pit Bull, Mastiff, Tosa and Presa (Presa Canario). The list is given as examples, so check your dog's breed with the Veterinary Quarantine Section.
  • The Veterinary Quarantine Section only issues a cat or dog import permit for pets from countries that Bahrain allows them to be imported from. The list of countries isn't published: ask the section before you plan the trip.
  • Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Once its checks are done, Customs prepares a simplified customs declaration to finish clearance.
  • The UAE certificate only covers the UAE side. The importing country sets its own rules (tests, permits, timing): get them from its veterinary authority. MOCCAE asks for a copy of the importing country's import permit, except for companion animals, and for any extra test reports the importing country wants.
  • This service is governed by Federal Law No. 6 of 2025 on Veterinary Quarantine. For questions, MOCCAE's call centre is 8003050.

Cats

  1. Get ready

    1. VaccinationEntering Bahrain

      Vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit

      Before it issues the permit, the Veterinary Quarantine Section checks your pet's vaccination booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete. The guide doesn't list the vaccinations or say how long before travel they must be given. Bahrain also asks for a rabies blood test, which is only meaningful for a pet vaccinated against rabies, so have your pet vaccinated against rabies and ask the section which other vaccinations it wants.

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

      Details and the official words

      Neither the ministry's guide nor Customs names rabies vaccination as such. We list it because the rabies blood test is asked for, and we mark it for confirmation.

      “والتأكد من دفتر التطعيمات”

      “وإكمال كافة التطعيمات المطلوبة”

    2. Blood testEntering Bahrain

      Rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate

      Your pet needs a rabies blood test (a rabies antibody neutralisation test, RANAT), and its certificate is shown on arrival with the health certificate. Neither the ministry nor Customs says what result is needed, which laboratory to use or how long before travel the blood sample must be taken: ask the Veterinary Quarantine Section before you book the test.

      Details and the official words
    3. PermitEntering Bahrain

      Cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section

      Apply in person at the Veterinary Quarantine Section of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture (you, or someone holding your power of attorney if you aren't in Bahrain). Bring a copy of your pet's vaccination booklet and a copy of your ID card. The section checks the booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete, then issues the permit. The fee is 5 Bahraini dinars for a personal import. The guide gives no processing time or validity period, so apply well before you travel.

      Details and the official words

      Cats and dogs are separate permits (services 112 and 113 in the ministry's guide). The guide doesn't say whether one permit covers several animals.

      Bahrain Customs says to contact the Veterinary Quarantine Section before importing a dog or cat. Email vetquarantine@mun.gov.bh or call +973 17987039 or 17987364.

      “تصريح إستيراد قطط”

      “تصريح إستيراد كلب”

      “يجب على صاحب الطلب الحضور إلى قسم المحاجر البيطرية لطلب إصدار تصريح إستيراد كلب”

      “نسخة من دفتر التطعيمات”

      “صورة من بطاقة الهوية وصورة من السجل التجاري أو توكيل عن الشخص المستورد في حال عدم تواجده”

      “5 دينار للشخصي”

      “To contact the Veterinary Quarries Department before importing”

      “vetquarantine@MUN.GOV.BH”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. PaperworkThe United Arab Emirates and Bahrain

      Original government health certificate and certificate of origin

      Your pet arrives with an original government health certificate from the country it comes from and an original certificate of origin, together with the rabies blood test certificate. The pages don't say how recent the health certificate must be or what it must state.

      Details and the official words

      MOCCAE veterinary health certificate: Register in MOCCAE's digital services system, fill in the electronic form, pay (AED 100 for up to 2 pets for personal use), then your pet has a physical examination (and lab tests if the destination needs them). The certificate is issued electronically, usually in 1 working day, and is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

      “عند الوصول شهادة صحية حكومية وشهادة منشأ وشهادة فحص دم عن مرض السعار”

      “Importing live animals (dogs and cats)”

      “An original government health certificate”

      “An original certificate of origin”

      “valid for 30 days from the date of issuance”

      “The time to obtain the service : 1 working days”

    2. NoticeEntering Bahrain

      Tell the Veterinary Quarantine Section when your pet arrives

      Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Contact the section in advance and tell it the date and time of arrival, so the checks aren't delayed. No deadline is given.

      Details and the official words

      The Customs page still uses the ministry's older name (Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning). Today it is the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture.

      If this is missed: If you haven't arranged it, Customs contacts the Veterinary Quarantine and you must wait until its representative arrives and completes the procedures.

      “Domestic animals accompanying the traveler are restricted and subject to the control of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning - Veterinary Quarantine.”

      “The matter requires that the traveler or the importer coordinate in advance with the concerned parties in the regulatory authority and inform them of the date and time of arrival to prevent any delay in completing the necessary procedures.”

      “In the event that the traveler or the importer does not coordinate, the customs will contact the regulatory authority, and the traveler or importer must wait until the representative of the control authority arrives and finish the necessary procedures.”

Good to know

  • The Veterinary Quarantine Section only issues a cat or dog import permit for pets from countries that Bahrain allows them to be imported from. The list of countries isn't published: ask the section before you plan the trip.
  • Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Once its checks are done, Customs prepares a simplified customs declaration to finish clearance.
  • The UAE certificate only covers the UAE side. The importing country sets its own rules (tests, permits, timing): get them from its veterinary authority. MOCCAE asks for a copy of the importing country's import permit, except for companion animals, and for any extra test reports the importing country wants.
  • This service is governed by Federal Law No. 6 of 2025 on Veterinary Quarantine. For questions, MOCCAE's call centre is 8003050.

Money

What it costs

Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in the United Arab Emirates publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.

Government fees on this route

Government fees in total: 100 AED + 5 BHD (each currency separately)

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

  • Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit135–575 AED

    the United Arab Emirates: 5 published prices

    • VET Veterinary Clinic: Rabies vaccination on its own (Dubai, Al Barsha)135 AED · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
    • Vienna Veterinary Clinic: Annual vaccination package for adult dogs: consultation, DHPPIL and rabies vaccines, exam, deworming, Municipality tag (excl. VAT)299 AED · per package (excl. VAT) · read 2026-10-13
    • Modern Veterinary Clinic (ModernVet): Vaccination package: consultation, core vaccines, physical exam, deworming and Municipality tag (page says it protects against rabies among others); starting price, VAT not included349 AED · per package (from, excl. VAT) · read 2026-10-13
    • Noble Veterinary Clinics: Rabies visit and yearly booster: full exam, core vaccine (PCH or DHPPiL), rabies vaccine and Dubai Municipality tag510 AED · per visit · read 2026-10-13
    • Al Barsha Veterinary Clinic: Annual dog vaccination package incl. VAT: consultation, physical exam, rabies vaccine, DA2PPL/LCI, municipality tag, deworming575 AED · per package (incl. VAT) · read 2026-10-13
  • Rabies blood testan approved laboratory, through your vet · for: rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate2,205 AED

    the United Arab Emirates: 1 published price

    • VET Veterinary Clinic: Vet clinic's price for an anti-rabies titer test (RNATT/FAVN) for travel; page does not say whether blood draw and courier to the lab are included2,205 AED · per test · read 2026-10-13
  • Rabies blood test: the lab’s own pricean approved laboratory; your vet adds the blood draw and the courier · for: rabies blood test (RANAT) certificatePrices from 8 countries

    Austria: 1 published price

    France: 2 published prices

    • Laboratoire départemental de la Haute-Garonne (LD31 EVA): Lab price for the FAVN (WOAH/OMSA method) rabies antibody test, VAT included, price guaranteed until 31/12/2026 (from the lab's order form)99 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
    • Inovalys (laboratory): Lab price only: rabies antibody titration (COFRAC accredited), ordered online by the owner; the page says the blood sample is taken by your vet and sending it to the lab is the owner's responsibility (no amounts given for those)99.18 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13

    the United Kingdom: 2 published prices

    Japan: 1 published price

    Poland: 1 published price

    Sweden: 1 published price

    • Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA): Lab price for the FAVN rabies vaccination-check antibody test (article D142410), excluding VAT (exkl. moms)1,365 SEK · per test · read 2026-10-13

    the United States: 1 published price

    South Africa: 1 published price

  • Health certificate (vet’s fee)your vet · for: original government health certificate and certificate of origin499 AED

    the United Arab Emirates: 1 published price

    • VET Veterinary Clinic: Health travel certificate ('Fit to Fly' report / pet export documents) issued by the clinic (Dubai, Al Barsha)499 AED · per certificate · read 2026-10-13

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 the United Arab Emirates

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves the United Arab Emirates (dogs).

The trip back asks for 8 steps: UAE import permit, permanent microchip, minimum age and rabies vaccination and more.

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves the United Arab Emirates (cats).

The trip back asks for 8 steps: UAE import permit, permanent microchip, minimum age and rabies vaccination and more.

Every step from Bahrain to the United Arab Emirates

Nearby routes

Other routes

Where this comes from

Official sources

Questions owners ask

Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from the United Arab Emirates to Bahrain?

Yes: Your pet needs a rabies blood test (a rabies antibody neutralisation test, RANAT), and its certificate is shown on arrival with the health certificate.

Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Bahrain?

Yes: Apply in person at the Veterinary Quarantine Section of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture (you, or someone holding your power of attorney if you aren't in Bahrain).

Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Bahrain?

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 the United Arab Emirates to Bahrain?

There is no official waiting period for a dog, but you still need: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit, rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate and cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section and 2 more.

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

Turn this into dates for your pet

Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.

Make a dated plan