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Step 1
Prepare Vaccination Book →
Pet Passport
Visit your veterinarian to microchip and vaccinate your cat.
Microchip Requirements:
- The pet must have an ISO-compliant microchip inserted on or before the first rabies vaccination, and the vet must record the insertion date in the pet passport / vaccination book.
Vaccination Requirements:
- All vaccination stickers must be recorded in the pet’s vaccination book and signed and stamped
- by the veterinarian.
- The cat must be at least 12 weeks old before receiving the rabies vaccine. Otherwise, the vaccine is considered invalid.
- Travel is allowed only 21 days after the first rabies vaccination.
- Rabies boosters must be given annually, on or before the previous vaccine’s expiration date, to remain valid.
- If the booster is given after the previous vaccine expires, it counts as a new vaccination and the 21-day waiting period applies again.
- Nobivac Rabies is the preferred vaccine for EU travel.
- PCH vaccinations (Panleukopenia, Calicivirus, Herpesvirus) are recommended but not mandatory.
Explained in 10 min
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Step 2:
Airline Booking
Check Availability: Verify pet travel availability before booking in-cargo or in-cabin.
Restrictions: Many airlines do not allow brachycephalic (flat-faced) cats in the cargo hold; they must travel in-cabin if they meet size and weight requirements.
Approval: Pet travel requires airline approval and payment, and spaces are limited.
Required Information for Confirmation:
1. Passenger’s confirmed flight & booking number
2. Pet’s name
3. Pet’s date of birth (age)
4. Breed of cat
Use general classifications such as DSH (Domestic Short Hair), DMH (Domestic Medium Hair), or DLH (Domestic Long Hair).
These are often used for mixed-breed cats, it may help avoid import taxes in some countries, and can influence the airline whether the pet is allowed to travel in-cabin or in-cargo hold.
Ensure the breed matches exactly what the veterinarian has recorded in the pet passport, as inconsistencies may cause issues during travel or customs checks.
6. Microchip number
7. Microchip implantation date must be recorded by the vet in the pet passport and dated on or before the rabies vaccination.
8. Pet’s weight
8. Rabies vaccination date
8. Rabies vaccination date
9. Common crate sizes:
L60 – for pets under 4 kg (Small: 60 x 40 x 40 cm)
L70 – for pets over 4 kg (Medium: 70 x 51 x 48 cm)
10. Total travel weight of excess baggage (pet + crate weight).
Crate weight is typically 4-4.5 kg.
If excess baggage is paid before the day of travel, keep a digital or printed copy of the payment confirmation for check-in.
Step 3:
MOCCAE App - Apply for UAE Health Export Certificate
- Download the MOCCAE App and log in with UAE PASS here.
- Request a Veterinary Health Certificate for Exporting Live Animals.
- Pay the MOCCAE fee: 100 AED (up to two pets).
- This application is valid for only up to 10 days before travel.
- After completing the process, you will receive a MOCCAE Request Number which will be needed at the Dnata Airport Cargo vet check
- A step-by-step video guide is available to assist with completing the MOCCAE form here.
Explained in 2 min
How to fill-out the MOCCAE form
our instructions
Step 4.
EU Health Certificate → Fill In & Sign:
Obtain the official EU Health Certificate form.
Use the pet passport as reference for vaccination details.Enter the following information:
UAE address
Destination country address
Cat’s breed
Date of birth
Microchip number
Vaccination details
Rabies vaccination is mandatory.
PCH vaccinations are optional but recommended.
Print the completed form and sign the final page.
Step 5.
MOCCAE Veterinary Office
- Take your cat to the MOCCAE veterinary office at the Dnata Cargo Terminal, Dubai International Airport
- The office is open 24/7 – so no prior appointment is required.
- Bring the following:
Your cat in its carrier
Pet passport
MOCCAE request number
Pre-filled, printed and signed EU Health Certificate
- The veterinarian will:
Scan the microchip
Verify the documents
Print and stamp the UAE Health Export Certificate
Stamp your pre-filled and printed EU Health Import Certificate
- After stamping:
Take photos of all documents
Keep digital copies
Carry an extra printed copy during travel
Step 6.
Prepare Pets Crate → Security and Comfort
1. Choose the Correct Carrier
Use an IATA-approved carrier according to airline regulations.
Cargo travel: hard-sided crate.
Cabin travel: soft carrier that fits under the seat.
For in-cabin travel, the combined weight of the cat and soft carrier must be under 8 kg.
If it exceeds this limit, the airline will deny boarding.
2. Prepare the Crate
Place sufficient pee pads inside the crate.
Add an absorbent soft towel for comfort.
Attach a water bowl to the crate door.
Keep four long zip ties in your hand luggage to secure the crate door after pet security screening.
Extra but useful equipment:
Cat Harness and Leash Set
Pet Bath Towel
Step 7.
Prepare Your Cat for Calm Travel
1. Calming Supplements
Ask your veterinarian about natural calming supplements such as Zylkene.
Tablets can be opened and mixed with treats – cats love the taste of Zelkine.
Start the calming medication 7–10 days before travel.
Typical schedule:
- 1 tablet daily for one week before travel.
- 1 tablet 24 hours before departure.
- 1 tablet 12 hours before departure.
- 1 tablet 1 hour before placing your cat in the crate.
Always follow your veterinarian’s advice.
2. Crate Introduction
Introduce the crate early to your cat so it becomes familiar and feels safe inside.
3. Calming Sprays
Use a calming spray such as “Pet Remedy” to help reduce stress during travel.
4. Feeding Schedule
Understand your cat’s feeding and litter routine so you can adjust feeding times and reduce the chance of accidents during travel.
5. Prepare a Travel Care Kit
Prepare a small care kit for arrival:
Food
Treats
Wet wipes
Extra pee pads
Something to cut the zip ties after landing
Step 8.
Day of Travel
Arrive 3 – 3.5 hours before departure.
Go to the regular airline check-in counter with your pet and luggage.
The airline agent will verify:
Pet passport
UAE Health Export permit
EU Health Import permit
If permitted, you may also pay the pet excess baggage fee at the check-in counter.
If you have already paid for your pet’s air travel in advance, please keep the payment receipt (digital or printed) readily available at the check-in counter.
In-Cabin Pet Travel
After receiving your boarding pass, proceed through normal:
Immigration;
Security Screening;
Your departure gate;
In-Hold Cargo Pet Travel
After check-in:
A ground handler will escort you and your pet to the security cargo screening area in the basement of the airport.
You must remove your pet from the carrier; the crate will be x-rayed while you carry your pet through security.
After screening, fill the water container, secure the crate with zip ties, and hand your pet to the baggage agent for loading.
Safety at Security ->
For both In-Cabin and In-Cargo travel:
You will be required to remove your cat from the carrier at the security checkpoint.
You will need to carry your cat through the scanner while the carrier passes through the x-ray machine.
Use a harness or soft blanket to cover your cat’s eyes to keep him or her calm and secure in your arms.
It is advisable to trim your cat’s nails before travel.
Be especially careful in new and noisy environments — cats can easily become frightened and may try to jump, run, escape, or hide.
Once your cat is safely back in the carrier, you are ready to travel.
Your paperwork is complete, your cat is calm, and you are ready to fly.
Safe travels to Europe with your furry companion.
Step 9.
Arriving in Europe
In-Hold Cargo
After clearing immigration:
Collect your luggage at the baggage carousel.
Inform airport ground staff that you are collecting your pet.
Clear Customs
Both (in-cabin and in-cargo) pets must:
Go to the Red Channel at customs.- Go to the Red Channel at customs.
- Declare your pet before exiting the airport.
Step 10.
Relax!! Congratulations!
You are now safely back in Europe with your furry companion and ready to reunite with loved ones.
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Download our PDF instructions
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