Bahrain
Pet Travel Policy Information
Pet Travel Requirements for Bahrain
Pet Entry Requirements for Bahrain
Pet Microchip
All dogs and cats entering Bahrain must be identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit,which is compliant with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO compliant, you can either bring your own. A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation on how to register it in the manufacturer or your government’s database. If your pet does not have a registered microchip, pets should wear tags that identify them and have contact information for the owner.
Vaccinations
All cats and dogs over 2 months** of age must be vaccinated for rabies between 21 days and 12 months prior to entering Bahrain for primary vaccinations. Booster vaccinations must be administered prior to the expiration of the previous vaccination. **Note that, even though Bahrain’s regulations permit a rabies vaccination at 2 months, the recommended age for rabies vaccination is no sooner than 3 months. The administering veterinarian should issue, sign and stamp either: a rabies certificate ora government-issued vaccination booklet oran EU Pet Passport
Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
Dogs and cats entering Bahrain from a country considered by the World Organization of Animal Health to be rabies-free will not need a rabies titer test. The determination for the rabies classification of the origination country will be made at the time of import permit application (step 6). If a pet is entering Bahrain from any other country, then a licensed veterinarian in the origination country will need to administer a rabies titer test no sooner than 21 days after the rabies vaccination to avoid quarantine. Even with an acceptable rabies titer test, your pet will be taken to a quarantine center where it will undergo inspection after clearing customs. Note that there are countries where no more than a 2-hour quarantine will be applied. The affected countries can change, so it is recommended to have the rabies titer test done regardless, so there is noquestion as to whether quarantine is imposed on your pet upon entry. Blood samples must be processed at approved laboratories. The test is valid for the life of the pet if rabies boosters are consistently administered prior to the expiration date of the previous vaccine.
Parasite Treatments
Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are strongly recommended prior to entering Bahrain with products approved in the origination country. Dogs should have proof of treatment against Tenia Echinococcus. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue a record of treatment. Pets should always be inspected for parasites prior to any international travel.
Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate including: A licensed veterinarian in your country must complete thenwithin 10 days of entry. The form must be endorsed by the governmental agency responsible for the import and export of animals. The rabies certificate(s) and rabies titer test should also be submitted for endorsement.
Import Permit
A No Objection Certificate (import permit) is required when entering Bahrain with a personal pet, and it is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. It must be obtained by an agent in Bahrain.
Complete all 6 steps to enter Bahrain with your pet
Requirements may change. Always verify with official sources before travel.
Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Bahrain?
Not specified
What Additional Information Do I Need for Bahrain?
- More Information:
Not specified
- Entering Bahrain by Air:
All live animals must enter Bahrain at the Bahrain International Airport in Muharraq as air cargo according toairline pet policies. Pets must travel in a crate in accordance with the International Air Transport Association. Related:Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant? All live animals should enter Bahrain directly or transit through a rabies-controlled country, if possible*. If transiting, pets should stay on the same airline to avoid entering the layover country. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply. Importers should inform veterinary officials in advance as they will need to be available to check your pet and its pet passport documentation after landing. Border officials will inspect your pet and confirm that its pet passport documentation is correct. All dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the importer’s expense.
- What is a Pet Passport?:
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Bahrain pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Bahrain will include import permit, proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
- Breeds Banned by Bahrain:
Bahrain does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.
- Find a Licensed Veterinarian:
Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.
- Bahrain Pet Import Requirements:
All steps required to conform to Bahrain pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
- Importing Other Animals to Bahrain:
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination but may have to meet other requirements and should have an import permit and health certificate to enter Bahrain. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
- Quarantine for pets entering Bahrain:
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Bahrain if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.
- Importing Puppies and Kittens to Bahrain:
Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies before 3 months of age. Unless entering Bahrain from a country classified by the World Organization for Animal Health as rabies-free, all puppies and kittens must conform to import regulations listed here. Puppies less than 3 months of age are not permitted entry into Bahrain from any country. Related: More information ontransporting a puppy.
- Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements:
These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO BAHRAIN below.
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is important if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If so, you will have to submit additional permit applications. Over 180 nations participate and enforce CITES rules and protections. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:Read more about CITES
Related Resources
Traveler Tips & Experiences
Emily Parker
February 12, 2025
I visited Bahrain last year with my French Bulldog and found the process straightforward and well-documented.
Michael Chen
January 3, 2025
Air travel to Bahrain was a breeze and my cat had no issues. Highly recommend booking early!