As more and more people move to Dubai, the question keeps coming up whether pets may come along. This article answers all the important questions about pets and about bringing the animals you already have. The move itself is described in the guide Moving to Dubai.
- It is allowed. Each person may privately import up to two dogs or two cats per year. The conditions are a microchip, vaccinations, an import permit and a health certificate.
- Not every breed is allowed. Around fifteen dog breeds are barred from import, among them the pit bull, the American Bully and several mastiff lines.
- Emirates does not allow pets in the cabin. If you want your animal next to you, fly Etihad to Abu Dhabi or leave Europe with an airline that allows small pets in the cabin.
- The costs usually run between €1,500 and €3,500 per animal. The largest item is the freight, and that is charged by the volume of the crate.
Permission
There are several things you need to consider before simply taking your pet with you to Dubai. These points should be carefully clarified and adhered to, as otherwise there may be a problem when entering the country at the airport.
1. Microchip
The pet must have a microchip in accordance with ISO 11784/11785 with a 15-digit code. This code must also be on all documents.
2. Vaccinations
Depending on the type of animal, extensive vaccinations may also need to be carried out. For cats and dogs, this is definitely the rabies vaccination. However, you should clarify in detail exactly which vaccinations the animal needs, as there are different regulations for each species. Here are some examples:
Cats: Panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus.
Dogs: Distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis (DHP/DHPP) and leptospirosis.
3. import permit
To be allowed to enter the country, you also need an import permit, which must be applied for at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, or MOCCAE for short.
4. health certificate
You should also have a comprehensive health certificate issued by a vet in your home country 5 to 10 days before entering the country.
5. parasite cure
Before entering the country, a parasite treatment should be carried out professionally by a vet within 14 days so that there is no risk of importation.
Banned dog breeds and local rules
Many people ask one question too late: is my dog allowed in at all? The United Arab Emirates maintain a list of dangerous breeds whose import and private ownership is prohibited. The basis is Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 on the possession of dangerous animals.
These breeds may not enter
- Terrier lines: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully
- Mastiff lines: Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, Mastino Napoletano, Tibet-Dogge, Boerboel, Bully Kutta
- Others: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Presa Canario
Crossbreeds of these breeds are covered as well. Assistance and therapy dogs are exempt, provided they meet the authority's requirements.
If your dog comes from a terrier or mastiff line, have the breed confirmed in writing before you book. An animal turned away at the airport has to fly back at your own expense, and that is the most expensive outcome there is.
Licence, leash and penalties
Keeping a dog in Dubai requires a licence from the municipality, and the animal must be on a leash in public. Breaches of the dangerous animals law are expensive: fines run from 10,000 to 700,000 AED, on top of prison sentences and confiscation of the animal.
Dogs may run free only in designated dog parks and on the beaches released for it. And not every residential complex allows pets: that is set out in the tenancy agreement or the community rules and belongs settled before you sign.
Carriage & transportation
Pets are not always allowed on flights to Dubai, or it depends on the pet (size) and the airline you are flying with.
Which airline works out is almost always decided by weight and crate size. The three lines that matter for people moving from Europe, compared:
| Airline | Cabin | Hold | Destination airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | noexception only for falcons | yes | Dubai (DXB) |
| Etihad | yessmall dogs and cats | yes | Abu Dhabi (AUH)about 90 minutes to Dubai |
| Lufthansa | yesup to 8 kg including the crate | yesas excess baggage | Dubai (DXB) |
As of September 2026, according to the airlines. At Etihad the crate under the seat may measure 40 x 40 x 22 cm, or 50 x 43 x 50 cm with an adjacent seat purchased. Emirates carries animals in the hold only, as cargo or as checked baggage. Check the rules again before booking, they change.
Cargo
In principle, you are not allowed to take animals in the cabin with Emirates, no matter how big or small they are. The only option is to leave the animals in the cargo hold, which is a very unpleasant experience for many animals. Other airlines have size and weight limits and may be able to carry them in the cabin.
Cabin
If you have cats or small dogs, you should therefore choose the airline Etihad from Abu Dhabi. Smaller animals are allowed in the cabin under the following conditions.
- Minimum age of the animal 16 weeks
- Maximum weight 8kg including box
- Maximum size of the box 40 x 40 x 20 cm
unless you buy an extra seat for the animal or the box, in which case it may be 50 x 43 x 50 cm in size.
Anyone bringing larger animals must also leave them in the cargo compartment at Etihad Airlines.
Private jet
If money is no object and you only want the best for your pet, then you can of course also book a private jet to take it with you. There are virtually no restrictions on what you can take with you. The costs for a jet are of course considerably higher. Depending on the size of the jet, you have to calculate 5,000 - 10,000 hours per flight hour.
Costs
The costs fall into three blocks: vet and paperwork at home, the permit in the Emirates, and the transport. The largest item is almost always the freight, because it is charged not by the weight of the animal but by the volume of the crate.
| Item | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Vet: vaccinations, microchip, health certificate | €150 – 400 |
| Rabies titre testrequired only from certain countries of origin | €80 – 150 |
| MOCCAE import permit | per the authority's tariffapplied for online |
| IATA-compliant crate | €80 – 250 |
| Flight in the hold from Europe | €800 – 2,000 |
| Clearance at the destination airport | per tariffusually billed through the agency |
| Agency for the full handling | €600 – 1,500 |
| Total per animal | approx. €1,500 – 3,500 |
Guide figures, as of September 2026, rounded and without warranty. The spread depends mainly on the size and weight of the animal. The official fees follow the tariff of MOCCAE and the airport handler and do change; ask before you book. Anyone who can use the cabin pays far less, usually only a low three-figure airline fee.
Two animals do not cost twice as much as one, because the agency and the clearance can be shared. How the running costs compare afterwards is set out in the overview of Cost of living in Dubai.
Everyday life with pets in Dubai
Pets are now a big topic in Dubai, especially as more and more families (with animals) are emigrating. Accordingly, there is more and more infrastructure when it comes to animal parks, vets, spas, etc.
However, you should be aware that animals, especially dogs, are still not as popular in Muslim countries as they are in European countries. Free movement as we know it in Europe is restricted and you have to stick to the designated zones.
If you are traveling, you also have the option of bringing your pet to a special hotel. This is of course up to you and also depends on the size of the animal, as small animals can theoretically be carried in the cabin when traveling on certain airlines (as described above).
If you live in Dubai all year round, you should make sure that the animals get enough water and are not exposed to the heat, especially in summer.
After arrival: registration, housing, vet
Registration after arrival
Arrival is not the end of it. Dogs have to be registered with the municipality, usually via the microchip, and the registration is renewed every year. Without a valid licence there are fines, and in a dispute with neighbours or the community you stand there without papers.
Where dogs live well in Dubai
Villa districts with a garden are the obvious choice, such as Arabian Ranches, Dubai Hills or Jumeirah Village. In apartment towers keeping animals is often restricted or banned outright. Which area suits which budget is set out in the overview of residential areas in Dubai, and how daily life feels overall is covered in the article Living in Dubai.
Vets, grooming and getting around
Veterinary care is good and internationally staffed, many practices bill in English and work with the common pet insurers. For getting around there are dedicated pet taxis, because ordinary taxis usually do not take animals.
Frequently asked questions
The following is an overview of frequently asked questions about pets in Dubai.
Why are there no dogs in Dubai?
There are indeed dogs in Dubai. However, they are not allowed to roam freely in all places. Dogs are mostly found in residential areas, such as Creek Harbour or Dubai Hills. Some communities now also have their own dog parks where the animals can let off steam.
Are dogs allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Dogs may be kept in Dubai, but they need a licence from the municipality and must be on a leash in public. They may run free only in designated dog parks and on the beaches released for it. Breeds classified as dangerous are excluded from ownership.
Which dog breeds are banned in Dubai?
Banned breeds include the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu and Presa Canario, as well as several mastiff lines such as the Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff, Boerboel and Bully Kutta. Crossbreeds are covered too. The basis is Federal Law No. 22 of 2016.
How many pets may you bring to Dubai?
For private import the limit is two dogs or two cats per person and year, or alternatively one dog and one cat. Anyone bringing more animals needs a separate permit.
Does my pet have to go into quarantine in Dubai?
Usually not. If the microchip, vaccinations, import permit and health certificate are complete and the animal comes from an approved country, it goes straight through after clearance. If a document is missing or an entry does not match, the animal can be held at the airport.
Which airline takes dogs in the cabin?
Not Emirates: there animals travel in the hold only. Etihad allows small dogs and cats in the cabin but flies to Abu Dhabi, about 90 minutes from Dubai. Out of Europe several lines take animals up to 8 kg including the crate into the cabin, Lufthansa among them.
What does it cost to bring a dog to Dubai?
With the vet, paperwork, crate, freight and clearance you usually land between €1,500 and €3,500 per animal. The largest share is the freight, and that goes by the volume of the crate, not the weight of the animal. If you can take a small animal into the cabin, you pay considerably less.
Is the dog checked on entry?
Yes. At the airport the microchip, vaccination record, import permit and health certificate are checked, and the microchip number must be identical on every document. If something deviates, release can be delayed or refused.
Do I have to register my dog in Dubai?
Yes. Registration runs through the municipality and the microchip and is renewed every year. It is the condition for the licence, without which keeping a dog is not permitted.
Three things decide how much work this is: the breed, because a banned breed never gets on the plane; the size, because it settles cabin or hold and with it the biggest cost block; and complete paperwork, because that is what release at the airport turns on. Start early and four to six weeks of lead time is enough.
Summary
In summary, it can be said that you are definitely allowed to own and import pets in Dubai. However, there are a few conditions to consider when immigrating to Dubai with your pet. In addition to numerous health checks, you should also think about the transportation itself, as only small animals can be carried in the cabin of certain airlines.
Thinking about moving to Dubai?
Get our free Dubai relocation guide now: 7 tips on moving, company formation, visas & more.
You might also like
