Georgia to Germany requires thorough advance planning. Georgia is an EU unlisted country, which means every pet moving from Tbilisi to Germany must go through the EU unlisted process: microchip first, then rabies vaccination, FAVN titre …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) - must precede all vaccinations
Responsible: Georgian vet
First step. Chip before any rabies vaccination.
2
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Georgian vet
After microchipping. Wait at least 30 days before blood draw for titre test.
3
FAVN titre test blood draw at EU-approved laboratory
Responsible: Georgian vet + EU-approved laboratory
At least 30 days after vaccination. Ship sample to an EU-approved laboratory. Allow 2-4 weeks for results.
4
90-day wait from the date of successful titre test result
Responsible: N/A
Mandatory. Cannot be shortened. The clock starts from the blood draw date of the successful test.
5
Book cargo from Tbilisi to Germany
Responsible: Owner or agent
During the 90-day wait. Turkish Airlines via IST to FRA is the most established route. Confirm live animal acceptance.
6
EU-format health certificate from NFA-authorised vet
Responsible: NFA-authorised vet + NFA
Within 10 days of travel to Germany.
7
Travel to Germany
Responsible: Airline + owner
Travel day. Tbilisi to Frankfurt typically 5-7 hours via Istanbul.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Germany
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit). Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days since primary vaccination before titre test blood draw. Full vaccination records required.
Rabies titre test
Required. Georgia is an unlisted country for EU pet import. FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. A 90-day wait from the date of the successful blood draw result must pass before entry into Germany (and the EU). Source: EU Regulation 2020/692.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals in Germany.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU-format non-commercial health certificate from NFA-authorised vet, endorsed by NFA. Valid for 10 days as entry document.
Export permit (Georgia)
No formal export permit required for personal companion pets from Georgia.
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory (blood draw plus processing): GEL 300-700 (approximately EUR 100-200) plus international sample shipping
EU health certificate from NFA-authorised vet: GEL 100-300 (approximately EUR 30-80)
Cargo Tbilisi to Germany (via Istanbul or other hub): EUR 400-1,500 depending on carrier and crate size
IATA travel crate: EUR 80-300
Pet transport agent (recommended): EUR 400-1,000
Total typical range: EUR 700-3,000 across a 5-7 month preparation period
Critical points to read before you book
The 90-day wait after a successful titre test is a hard legal minimum under EU regulations. It cannot be shortened. If the test passes on day 1, your pet cannot enter the EU until day 91 from the blood draw date.
Microchip before vaccination. If the chip is implanted after the rabies vaccination, the vaccination does not count for EU purposes and the sequence must restart.
EU-approved laboratories for the FAVN test are mostly in Europe and North America. Your Georgian vet draws the blood and ships it cold to the approved lab. The NFA or a local pet transport specialist can advise on the process.
Georgia is not EU-listed. Despite Georgia's EU Association Agreement and candidate status, this does not change EU veterinary import classifications for pets. The full unlisted process applies.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
TURKISH
Turkish Airlines
Tbilisi (TBS) to Istanbul (IST), then IST to Frankfurt (FRA) or other German cities. Turkish Airlines Cargo handles live animals. IST is the primary transit hub for Caucasus-to-Europe pet cargo.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt (FRA). Connections from Tbilisi typically route via IST or another hub to FRA. Lufthansa Cargo handles live animals from FRA. Frankfurt Animal Lounge available for in-transit care.
Cargo Only
GEORGIAN
Georgian Airways
Georgia's national carrier operating from TBS to European cities. Limited international network. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance on specific routes before booking.
Cargo Only
AIR FRANCE /
Air France / KLM
Connections from TBS via Paris CDG or Amsterdam AMS to German cities. AF/KLM Cargo handles live animal freight. Check routing options via European hubs.
Cargo Only
Georgia's EU candidate status and what it does not change
Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023, and the EU-Georgia Association Agreement has been in force since 2016. These agreements are meaningful for trade and political alignment, but they do not change EU veterinary import classifications for pets.
The EU listed country register for pet travel is maintained separately from trade agreements. Georgia is not on this register, and until a formal equivalence assessment is completed and Georgia is added, the full unlisted process applies. In practical terms: FAVN titre test at an EU-approved lab, blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, then a mandatory 90-day wait from the successful blood draw date before entry to Germany or any other EU member state. Source: EU Regulation 2020/692.
This catches people out when they assume that Georgia’s EU relationship translates into simpler pet travel rules. It does not, at the time of writing.
Getting the FAVN test done from Tbilisi
The FAVN titre test must be processed at an EU-approved laboratory. Most approved labs are in Europe, the UK, or North America. From Georgia, the process involves your vet drawing the blood sample, storing it in an appropriate preservative medium, and shipping it internationally via courier to the approved lab.
Turnaround time from draw to result is typically 2-4 weeks, including shipping. This is within the 90-day wait, so the wait itself does not extend because of laboratory processing time. The 90-day clock runs from the blood draw date.
Ask your Tbilisi vet whether they have done this before. International titre test sample shipping is not the same as a domestic blood test, and an error in storage or documentation wastes a month and forces a repeat test. The NFA or a Georgian pet relocation agent can direct you to vets with this experience.
FAQ
Common questions about Georgia to Germany pet transport
No. The EU-Georgia Association Agreement covers trade, visa liberalisation, and political cooperation. It does not affect the EU veterinary import classification for pets. Georgia is an EU unlisted country for pet travel purposes, and the full unlisted process (FAVN titre test, 30-day post-vaccination wait, 90-day wait from successful blood draw) applies to any pet moving from Georgia to Germany or any EU member state.
Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST) is the most established option for this corridor. Turkish Airlines Cargo accepts live animals and IST is a well-used transit hub for Caucasus-to-Europe pet freight. Confirm live animal acceptance on your specific flight combination. Lufthansa connections from FRA are the next best option once you reach a European hub.
The National Food Agency (NFA) of Georgia (nfa.gov.ge) is the competent authority for animal health certificates. An NFA-authorised veterinarian issues the health certificate in EU-compatible format, and the NFA endorses it before travel. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Germany.