Moving to Türkiye with your pet requires planning but the process is straightforward, and the good news is that Türkiye is one of the most pet-friendly countries you could possibly relocate to. Istanbul in particular has a deep cultural relationship with animals — the city's famous street cats and dogs are cared for by entire communities. Here is everything you need to know.
Why Turkiye Is Great For Pets
Türkiye has a uniquely positive attitude toward animals. Street cats and dogs are part of the urban fabric — they are fed, sheltered, and given medical care by local municipalities and individual citizens. Water and food bowls appear on sidewalks everywhere. Veterinary care is affordable and widely available. Many restaurants and cafes welcome pets, especially in neighborhoods like Cihangir, Moda, Besiktas, and Bebek. Your pet will find a welcoming environment here.
Doing the whole move? Track it step by step herePreparation Timeline
Start preparing at least three months before your move. Some requirements have specific timing windows that cannot be rushed.
Three months before travel, schedule a vet visit to ensure your pet's microchip meets ISO 11784 or 11785 standards. If your pet does not have a microchip, get one implanted — it must be done before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination. Confirm your pet's rabies vaccination is current. If a new vaccination is needed, it must be given at least 21 days before travel but no more than 12 months before.
Two months before, research airlines and pet policies. Book your flights early as most airlines have limited spots for pets on each flight. If your pet will travel in cargo, investigate pet transport companies that specialize in international moves.
Two weeks before, check if your country requires a rabies titer blood test. Some countries require this test to confirm antibody levels. It must be done at an approved laboratory and results can take two weeks.
Ten days before travel, visit your vet for the official health certificate. This must be issued within 10 days of your travel date stating your pet is healthy with valid rabies vaccination. Have the certificate endorsed by your country's official veterinary authority.
Required Documents Checklist
Your pet's travel file should include a microchip certificate showing the ISO-compliant chip number, a rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination given after microchipping and within validity period, an official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by your national veterinary authority, a rabies titer test result if required by your country, your pet's full vaccination record, and your own passport and travel documents. Make copies of everything and keep originals accessible. Having digital copies on your phone is wise.
Flying With Your Pet
Turkish Airlines is one of the most pet-friendly airlines in the world. Small pets under 8 kilograms including the carrier can travel in the cabin with you. Book the pet when booking your ticket — cabin spots are limited to one or two per flight. Your pet must stay in an approved soft carrier under the seat for the entire flight.
Larger pets travel in the climate-controlled cargo hold. Turkish Airlines has a good track record with pet cargo. You need an airline-approved hard crate properly sized for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must have absorbent bedding, a water dish attached to the door, and clearly labeled with your contact information and live animal stickers.
Important restrictions — brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats may be restricted from cargo due to breathing risks. During extreme heat some airlines embargo pet cargo entirely. Try to book direct flights or routes through moderate-climate cities.
Other pet-friendly airlines serving Istanbul include Lufthansa, KLM, and British Airways though policies vary. Compare options carefully.
Arrival In Turkiye
When you land, head to the veterinary control desk at customs before exiting arrivals. Present your documents — health certificate, vaccination records, and microchip information. The officer will review everything and may briefly examine your pet. If documents are in order the process takes 15 to 20 minutes. There is no quarantine requirement for pets arriving with proper documentation.
What It Should Cost At The Desk
Most of what people spend bringing a pet here is real and happens before they land: the airline's animal fee, an approved crate, the vet appointments, the titer test if the route needs one, and an agent if you use one. Those add up to serious money and are worth budgeting for properly.
The part to watch is the desk itself. A charge levied by a Turkish state office comes with a makbuz — a printed receipt with a tariff line on it. Cash handed over with nothing printed in return is not an official fee, whatever it is called at the time. Asking for the makbuz out loud is usually enough on its own, because the receipt is the thing that cannot be produced for a fee that does not exist. Readers describe being asked for a few hundred lira each by officers at arrival gates, and I could not find a published tariff for the veterinary control point anywhere citable — which is precisely what makes that desk an easy place to invent a number.
If it happens, CIMER (cimer.gov.tr) takes complaints against a named gate and they are recorded. Slow, but it is a real channel and it is better than paying.
Settling Your Pet In Istanbul
Register your pet with the local belediye, the municipal government office. This puts your pet in the local animal registry. Your vet can often help with this.
Find a local veterinarian for ongoing care. Veterinary services in Türkiye are significantly more affordable than Western Europe or the US while maintaining good quality. Most neighborhoods have multiple vet clinics. Ask other pet owners for recommendations — expat Facebook groups are excellent for this. Many vets in expat-heavy neighborhoods speak English.
Pet supplies are widely available at PetShop and Petmarket chains carrying international brand foods, toys, accessories, and medications. For specialty items or prescription diets, larger branches or online ordering from Hepsiburada usually have what you need.
Housing With Pets
This is critical — confirm your landlord's pet policy before signing a lease. While many landlords are fine with pets, some are not. Get pet permission in writing as part of your lease. When choosing an apartment consider floor level — ground floor or garden apartments are ideal for dogs. Check the building's attitude toward pets in common areas and elevators. Look for nearby parks and green spaces for daily exercise. Consider noise levels — Istanbul can be loud and some pets need adjustment time.
Daily Life With Pets
Istanbul is genuinely wonderful for pet owners. Dog walking routes along the Bosphorus in Bebek, Ortakoy, and Uskudar are beautiful. The waterfront promenade in Moda is perfect for evening walks. Larger parks like Macka Demokrasi Parki, Yildiz Parki, and Belgrad Forest offer space for longer walks and off-leash running.
Many cafes and restaurants, particularly in Cihangir, Moda, Besiktas, and Bebek, actively welcome pets. Some put out water bowls. The outdoor terrace culture means your dog can sit with you at most street-level dining spots.
About street animals — Istanbul has a large population of free-roaming street dogs and cats. Most are friendly and well-socialized, but encounters can be unpredictable. Keep your dog on leash until you know your neighborhood's street animal dynamics. Cats are generally not an issue but some street dogs can be territorial, especially at night.
Veterinary Care
Veterinary care in Istanbul covers everything from routine vaccinations to surgery and specialist treatment. Emergency vet hospitals offer 24-hour service. Costs are dramatically lower than Western countries — routine checkups, vaccinations, and minor procedures are very affordable. Even complex surgeries cost a fraction of what they would in the US or UK.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is available in Türkiye through several providers. It is not mandatory but can be worthwhile for older pets or breeds prone to health issues. Policies typically cover accidents, illnesses, and sometimes routine care. Compare options through insurance comparison websites.
Returning Home With Your Pet
If you eventually leave Türkiye, research your destination country's import requirements well in advance. Many countries, especially the EU, UK, and Australia, have strict requirements including rabies titer tests that must be done months before travel. Plan ahead to avoid being separated from your pet.
Final Thoughts
Türkiye is one of the easiest and most welcoming countries to relocate to with a pet. The paperwork is straightforward, the veterinary care is excellent and affordable, and the culture genuinely loves animals. Your pet will be happy here. For more on settling into life in Türkiye, explore our Moving Checklist and Neighborhood Map to find the most pet-friendly areas.
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