Taking your dog to Saudi Arabia: entry requirements, import permit, and return to the EU

Saudi Arabia is not one of those countries where a microchip, a rabies vaccination, and a veterinary certificate are all you need to travel with a dog. A pre-approved import permit is required and entry doesn’t follow the same logic as in most destinations. Entry rules are published by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA). A practical online application process is available via AgriServ / Naama.

Two things matter most: getting in and getting home. This article explains whether and when a dog can enter Saudi Arabia, how the import permit works, which documents to prepare, and what to consider for your return to the EU. We focus on a standard non-commercial trip with a dog traveling with its owner or an authorized person. If the dog travels as cargo, for sale, for a change of ownership, or unaccompanied, different rules may apply.

Quick overview: what your dog needs for a trip to Saudi Arabia

When traveling with a dog to Saudi Arabia, prepare in particular:

an import permit (valid for 30 days from issuance),
a microchip or another accepted means of identification,
a valid rabies vaccination with at least 6 months of validity remaining,
a veterinary health certificate from an accredited veterinary clinic,
a pet passport or vaccination record,
a photo of the dog,
a copy of the owner’s passport, ID card or residence permit,
a new, clean and disinfectable crate.

Entry is permitted only from countries listed on the Anaam platform (Saudi Arabia’s online system for managing animal imports) and the dog must enter through the entry point specified in the import permit.

Is it actually possible to travel to Saudi Arabia with a dog?

This is the first and most important question. Dogs are not generally permitted in Saudi Arabia. Exceptions apply to dogs:

used for hunting,
used for guarding,
guide dogs for people with disabilities,
dogs participating in races or other organized events.

For a short holiday with a dog, don’t assume entry will be automatic. Here, the practical order is the reverse of easier destinations:

first check whether your dog’s breed/type and the purpose of import align with what Saudi Arabia allows,
then arrange the import permit,
only then buy the ticket and finalize the veterinary documents.

Import permit for a dog to Saudi Arabia

The import permit is the key document. Without it, we wouldn’t plan a trip to Saudi Arabia with a dog.

Important import permit rules:

valid for 30 days from issuance,
import is allowed only from countries listed on the Anaam platform,
the dog must enter through the entry point stated in the permit,
the ministry may refuse imports from countries depending on the current disease situation.

Apply via AgriServ / Naama in these steps:

log in via Nafath on Naama.sa,
accept the terms of use,
fill in the application details,
attach the documents,
submit the application,
note the application number and the link to track its status.

Attach a health certificate, a pet passport or vaccination record, the microchip number, a copy of the owner’s ID, and a photo of the dog. If participating in races or organized events, include the event invitation.

Quarantine

The official MEWA document does not clearly state whether quarantine on entry to Saudi Arabia is mandatory for every dog or only applied in specific cases. It only notes that the ministry reserves the right to schedule animal arrivals based on the capacity of quarantine facilities, which suggests quarantine is a possibility to factor in.

Because this point can significantly affect your trip planning and length of stay, we recommend checking it directly with MEWA or the Saudi embassy before submitting the import permit application.

Microchip

Dogs must be identified by an electronic microchip or another means of identification. When preparing, check:

that the microchip is readable,
that the microchip number matches across all documents,
that the microchip is stated both in the vaccination record and in the health certificate.

Rabies vaccination

A valid rabies vaccination is mandatory. An important detail that sets Saudi Arabia apart from most other countries: on the day of travel, at least 6 months of validity must remain on the vaccination. It’s not enough for the vaccine to be formally valid — it must still have sufficient time left before it expires.

When preparing, check:

the vaccination date and the expiry date,
that these details match both the health certificate and the pet passport.

Veterinary health certificate

Importing a dog into Saudi Arabia requires a health certificate issued by an accredited veterinary clinic. The original documents must accompany the dog throughout the journey.

During the journey, the dog must be accompanied by:

the Saudi import permit,
a validated veterinary health certificate,
a certificate of origin of the animal.

A certificate of origin confirms the dog’s country of origin — the country where the dog lived before the trip. This document is not commonly required for entry into other countries. For Saudi Arabia, don’t overlook it.

Serological rabies antibody test

Saudi Arabia does not list the serological rabies antibody test — the titre test — as an entry requirement. However, the titre test is important for your return home if you are going back to a country that requires it when entering from third countries.

If you plan to return to a country where the titre test is a condition of entry, we recommend completing it before departure. You’ll avoid waiting for the results after arrival. You can check return requirements for your specific route in the BorderCooler® tool.

Dog breeds and purpose of import

Saudi authorities also assess the dog’s breed — a photo of the dog is a mandatory attachment to the application. Publicly available Saudi materials do not provide a clear and complete list of breed-based rules. If you have any doubts about whether your breed or purpose of travel meets the entry conditions, verify it directly with the Saudi embassy before booking your flight.

Flying to Saudi Arabia with a dog

Beyond the country’s entry rules, you must also comply with your airline’s conditions. Check:

whether the airline carries dogs on that route,
whether the dog can fly in the cabin, in the hold, or only as cargo,
which crate dimensions and types are allowed,
which documents the carrier requires at check-in.

Saudi rules also state that:

animals must travel in new, clean and disinfectable cages,
the number of animals in a cage must match its capacity,
they must not be in contact with other animals during transport,
adequate ventilation, water and food must be ensured,
transit through countries from which import into Saudi Arabia is banned is not permitted.

Staying in Saudi Arabia with a dog

Getting into the country is only the first step. The reality of staying in Saudi Arabia with a dog is very different from what travelers are used to in Europe or in more tourist-friendly countries.

Dogs are not a common part of public life in Saudi Arabia. Taking a dog into shopping malls, restaurants or most public buildings is generally not allowed. Dog-friendly hotels are the exception rather than the rule, so always confirm your accommodation explicitly and directly before you book.

Climate is another key factor. In summer, temperatures routinely reach and exceed 45 °C, making longer periods outdoors dangerous for a dog. Even outside summer, expect that morning and afternoon hours are unsuitable for a dog.

Veterinary services are found mainly in major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam. Outside these hubs, access to veterinary care can be significantly limited.

Before you travel, we recommend realistically assessing not only the entry conditions but also whether the stay with a dog will be manageable.

Returning home from Saudi Arabia

Your return home is governed not by Saudi rules, but by the rules of your destination country.

Returning to the EU with a dog from Saudi Arabia

When entering the EU from a non-EU country, standard EU rules for the non-commercial movement of dogs from third countries apply. In general you will need:

a microchip,
a valid rabies vaccination,
an EU health certificate,
a written declaration of non-commercial movement,
for some countries, a rabies antibody titre test.

If the dog lived in the EU before the trip, has a properly issued EU Pet Passport and had the titre test done before leaving the EU, the return can be simpler.

Returning to another country

If the dog is returning to a country outside the EU, the rules of the destination country apply. Before departure, check which documents and any tests your destination requires.

When to start preparing

For Saudi Arabia, we recommend starting preparations earlier than for most countries. First, confirm whether your dog’s entry and the purpose of travel are accepted at all — that’s the top priority here. Only then apply for the import permit. Time your veterinary documents to the permit’s validity, which is only 30 days. If you plan to return to a country where a titre test is required for entry, arrange it before you leave.

Summary

Traveling to Saudi Arabia with a dog is one of the more administratively demanding trips. Dogs are not generally allowed into the country — exceptions are dogs for hunting, guarding, guide dogs, and dogs taking part in organized events or shows. Entry requires an import permit valid for 30 days, dog identification, a health certificate, a vaccination record or pet passport, and a photo of the dog. In addition, the remaining validity of the rabies vaccination on the day of travel must be at least 6 months.

Practical steps:

first verify that entry for your specific dog is admissible,
then obtain the import permit,
time your veterinary documents to the permit’s validity,
and before departure, consider the return requirements of your destination country.

Frequently asked questions about traveling to Saudi Arabia with a dog

Can I go to Saudi Arabia with a dog for a regular holiday?

Dogs are not generally permitted in Saudi Arabia. Exceptions are dogs for hunting, guarding, guide dogs for people with disabilities, and dogs participating in organized events or shows. A standard tourist trip with a dog should not be taken for granted — before planning, we recommend confirming the conditions directly with the Saudi embassy.

Does the dog need an import permit?

Yes. The import permit is the key document. Without it, we do not recommend planning the trip.

How long is the import permit valid?

The import permit is valid for 30 days from issuance.

Which documents must be attached to the application?

A health certificate, a pet passport or vaccination record, the microchip number, a copy of the owner’s ID and a photo of the dog.

Is a valid rabies vaccination enough?

No. In addition to being valid, the vaccine must have at least 6 months of validity remaining on the day of travel.

Is a titre test required?

Saudi Arabia does not require a titre test for entry. However, it may be a condition of entry to the country you are returning to. We recommend arranging it before you leave home.

Can a dog fly to Saudi Arabia in the aircraft cabin?

It depends on the airline and the route. Even if the country allows entry, the carrier may have its own rules for the cabin, the hold or cargo.