Moving to Israel with a dog or cat is entirely possible, and thousands of Olim do it every year. But the process requires advance planning, specific documents, and strict timing. Miss a step or get the timeline wrong and your pet may face quarantine or be turned back at Ben Gurion Airport. This guide walks through what you need, when to do it, and what to expect on arrival.
Which Animals Can Enter Israel?
Israel permits the import of domestic dogs and cats with the appropriate documentation. Birds, reptiles, rabbits, and other animals have separate and often more restrictive import rules. This guide focuses on dogs and cats, which represent the vast majority of pets Olim bring with them.
One important note for dog owners: Israel prohibits the import of certain breeds considered dangerous. The restricted breeds include Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and several others. If your dog is one of these breeds, or is a mixed-breed dog that visually resembles one of them, contact the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture before making any travel arrangements. Attempting to import a prohibited breed will result in the animal being turned back or held.
Step 1: Microchip
Your pet must be implanted with an ISO-standard 15-digit microchip (ISO 11784/11785). This must be done before the rabies vaccination is administered. If the microchip was implanted after the vaccine, the vaccination does not count and the sequence must be restarted. Have your vet scan the chip after implantation and record the number in your pet’s health records.
Step 2: Rabies Vaccination
After the microchip is confirmed, your pet needs a valid rabies vaccination. The vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian and recorded in the official veterinary health booklet. Israel requires that the rabies vaccine be current at the time of entry. Puppies and kittens cannot be vaccinated before 12 weeks of age. For first-time vaccinations, a waiting period applies before travel is permitted, so plan this step early.
Step 3: Rabies Antibody Titre Test (for Dogs from Most Countries)
Dogs imported from most countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, must have a rabies antibody titre test (also known as the RNAT or FAVN test). This blood test confirms that the rabies vaccine has produced sufficient antibodies and must be carried out at an EU-approved laboratory. The test can only be done at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
After the titre test shows adequate antibody levels, a waiting period applies before the dog can enter Israel. The required wait period varies depending on the dog’s country of origin, so check current requirements with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture or a vet familiar with Israeli import regulations well in advance. Given the waiting periods involved, the titre test is often the longest part of the timeline and should be scheduled as early as possible after Aliyah is confirmed.
Cats do not generally require a titre test, but they do need a valid rabies vaccination and the other documentation described below.
Step 4: Import Permit from the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture
Before your pet can enter Israel, you need an import permit from the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture (Misrad HaChakla’ut). The permit is issued per animal and is valid for a specific date of entry. Apply at least 3 to 4 weeks before your planned travel date, as processing takes time and the permit must be presented on arrival.
The permit application is submitted online through the Ministry of Agriculture’s website. You will need your pet’s microchip number, vaccination records, and the titre test results (for dogs). The permit specifies the permitted port of entry, which for most Olim arriving by air will be Ben Gurion Airport.
Step 5: Veterinary Health Certificate
A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in your home country is required within a specific number of days before travel (typically 10 days, but confirm the current requirement). The certificate must confirm the animal is healthy, microchipped, vaccinated, and free of external parasites. In many countries, the certificate must also be endorsed by the national government’s veterinary authority (the USDA in the US, APHA in the UK, for example) before it is accepted by Israeli authorities. This endorsement can take a few days to process, so do not leave the health certificate to the last moment.
Flying with Your Pet
Whether your pet travels in the cabin or as checked cargo depends on its size, the airline’s policies, and the route. Small cats and dogs that fit under the seat may travel in-cabin on many airlines. Larger animals travel as checked baggage or air cargo. Each airline has its own weight and carrier size limits, booking procedures, and fees. Contact your airline as soon as you have a travel date to book your pet’s place, as space for animals is limited on most flights.
El Al, which many Olim use for their Aliyah flight, accepts pets both in-cabin and in the hold. Confirm the current policies directly with El Al, as they update from time to time.
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport
On arrival, your pet will be inspected by a Ministry of Agriculture veterinary officer at the airport. Present all documents: the import permit, the health certificate with government endorsement, vaccination records, and the titre test results if required. If the documents are in order and your pet passes the inspection, it will be cleared for entry without quarantine. If documentation is missing or incorrect, the animal may be held in quarantine at the airport facility, at your cost, until the issue is resolved.
Registering Your Pet in Israel
After arrival, dogs in Israel must be licensed with your local municipality. Dog licensing is done annually and the fee varies by municipality. You will need to present proof of rabies vaccination when registering. Failure to register your dog can result in fines. Cats are not required to be licensed in most Israeli municipalities, but microchipping is strongly recommended. Many vets and municipalities also recommend keeping rabies vaccinations current throughout the pet’s life in Israel.
Finding a Vet in Israel
Israel has a good network of veterinary clinics in major cities and towns. English-speaking vets are common in areas with large Anglo Olim populations such as Raanana, Modi’in, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv. Many Olim find vets through recommendations in English-speaking Olim Facebook groups, which are active and generally helpful for this kind of local recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my dog or cat to Israel when I make Aliyah?
Yes. Israel permits the import of domestic dogs and cats with the proper documentation. You need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody titre test (for dogs from most countries), a government-endorsed veterinary health certificate issued within a specified number of days before travel, and an import permit from the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture. Start the process at least 3 to 4 months before your Aliyah date to allow time for all steps, particularly the titre test waiting period.
Are there dog breeds banned from entry to Israel?
Yes. Israel prohibits the import of several breeds considered dangerous, including Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers, among others. If your dog is one of these breeds or visually resembles one, contact the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture before making any travel or Aliyah plans that involve bringing the dog. The list of prohibited breeds is defined in Israeli law and is strictly enforced at the point of entry.
How far in advance do I need to start the process?
For dogs requiring a titre test, start at least 3 to 4 months before your intended travel date. The microchip must come first, then the rabies vaccine, then the titre test at least 30 days later, then the waiting period after the test result, and finally the health certificate in the days before departure. Each step has a sequence requirement. Cats generally have a shorter timeline but still require advance planning for the health certificate and import permit.
Will my pet be quarantined on arrival in Israel?
If your documentation is complete and correct, your pet should pass inspection and be released without quarantine. Quarantine at the airport facility is imposed when documents are missing, invalid, or out of sequence, such as a titre test done before the rabies vaccine, or a health certificate issued too many days before travel. Getting all the steps right the first time avoids this outcome.
Can my cat travel without a titre test?
In most cases, yes. Israel does not generally require a titre test for cats, only a valid rabies vaccination and the standard documentation (microchip, health certificate, import permit). However, requirements can change, and it is always worth confirming the current rules with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture or a vet experienced in international pet travel before finalising your plans.
How do I apply for the import permit?
The import permit is applied for online through the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture website. You will need your pet’s microchip number, vaccination history, and titre test results if applicable. Apply at least 3 to 4 weeks before your travel date, as the permit is issued for a specific entry date. The permit must be presented to veterinary inspectors at Ben Gurion Airport on arrival.