Kazakhstan to Germany is a longer-haul move that requires the full EU unlisted country process. Kazakhstan is not on the EU listed country register, so the FAVN titre test and 90-day wait apply. The preparation timeline is 5-6 months …
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: Kazakhstani vet
First step. Chip before any rabies vaccination.
2
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Kazakhstani 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: Kazakhstani 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 90-day clock starts from the blood draw date of the successful test.
5
Book cargo from Almaty or Astana to Germany
Responsible: Owner or agent
During the 90-day wait. Air Astana direct ALA-FRA is the most convenient. Confirm live animal acceptance in writing.
6
EU-format health certificate from CVCS-authorised vet
Responsible: CVCS-authorised vet + CVCS
Within 10 days of travel to Germany.
7
Travel to Germany
Responsible: Airline + owner
Travel day. Almaty to Frankfurt direct on Air Astana is approximately 7-8 hours.
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. Kazakhstan 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 CVCS-authorised vet, endorsed by CVCS. Valid for 10 days as entry document.
Export permit (Kazakhstan)
No formal export permit required for personal companion pets from Kazakhstan.
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory (blood draw plus processing): KZT 50,000-120,000 (approximately EUR 100-240) plus international sample shipping
EU health certificate from CVCS-authorised vet: KZT 15,000-40,000 (approximately EUR 30-80)
Cargo Almaty or Astana to Germany (direct or via hub): EUR 500-1,800 depending on carrier and crate size
IATA travel crate: EUR 80-300
Pet transport agent (recommended): EUR 400-1,000
Total typical range: EUR 800-3,200 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. The clock runs from the blood draw date, not when you receive the result.
Microchip before vaccination. The sequence is critical for EU entry. Chipping after vaccination invalidates the vaccination for EU purposes.
Kazakhstan is a large country. Vet clinics outside Almaty may not be familiar with international titre test sample shipping. Confirm your vet has done this before, or use a specialist in Almaty.
Kazakhstan is not EU-listed. No bilateral agreement between Kazakhstan and the EU changes the veterinary import classification 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.
AIR ASTANA
Air Astana
Kazakhstan's national carrier with direct Almaty (ALA) to Frankfurt (FRA) service. Air Astana Cargo handles live animal freight. The direct ALA-FRA route is the most convenient option for this corridor.
Cargo Only
TURKISH
Turkish Airlines
ALA or Astana (NQZ) to Istanbul (IST), then IST to Frankfurt (FRA). Turkish Airlines Cargo handles live animals. IST is a major hub for Central Asia-to-Europe cargo.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt (FRA). Connections from Almaty typically route via IST or other hubs to FRA. Lufthansa Cargo handles live animals from FRA. Frankfurt Animal Lounge available.
Cargo Only
AIR FRANCE /
Air France / KLM
Connections from Kazakhstan via European hubs to Germany. KLM via Amsterdam or Air France via Paris. Both carriers operate established live animal cargo programmes.
Cargo Only
Air Astana direct to Frankfurt: the logistics case for Almaty
Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, operates regular direct flights between Almaty International (ALA) and Frankfurt (FRA). For pet cargo, a direct route to the destination country is a significant practical advantage. It means one carrier, one booking, no transit hub wait, and a single point of contact for the live animal cargo documentation.
Air Astana Cargo accepts live animal freight. Before booking, confirm in writing that your specific flight accepts live animal cargo and that the cargo documentation process for EU import is understood. Cargo policies can vary between aircraft types and seasons.
If your origin is Astana (NQZ) rather than Almaty, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST) to Frankfurt is the more accessible routing. IST handles substantial volumes of Central Asia-to-Europe pet cargo and Turkish Airlines Cargo is experienced on this corridor.
The CVCS: who issues and endorses the certificate in Kazakhstan
The Committee of Veterinary Control and Supervision (CVCS), operating under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, is the competent authority for animal health certification in Kazakhstan. For EU export, a CVCS-authorised veterinarian issues the health certificate in EU-compatible format, and the CVCS endorses it before departure.
The certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Germany. The CVCS endorsement adds time to this window, so plan the vet appointment carefully. In major cities like Almaty or Astana, endorsement typically takes 1-3 working days.
Some CVCS-authorised vets in Kazakhstan will have more experience with EU export certification than others. A pet transport specialist familiar with the ALA-FRA corridor can direct you to a vet with the relevant experience and help coordinate the FAVN sample shipping to an EU-approved laboratory.
FAQ
Common questions about Kazakhstan to Germany pet transport
Yes. Air Astana operates a direct Almaty (ALA) to Frankfurt (FRA) service. Air Astana Cargo accepts live animal freight on this route, subject to confirmation on the specific flight. This direct routing is a practical advantage compared with most Central Asia-to-Europe pet moves, which require a transit hub stop.
The 90-day wait runs from the blood draw date of the successful FAVN titre test. If your vet draws blood on 1 January and the result comes back at 0.5 IU/ml or above on 25 January, your pet still cannot enter Germany before 1 April (90 days from the blood draw). You use this window to book cargo, prepare documentation, and arrange travel. The health certificate is issued in the final 10 days before your departure date.
The EU maintains the list of approved laboratories at food.ec.europa.eu. Labs in Europe or the UK are commonly used from Central Asia, with BIOR (Latvia), the Ghent laboratory (Belgium), and Lelystad (Netherlands) among those with experience handling samples from this region. Your vet or a pet transport agent can advise on current turnaround times and the most reliable shipping option from Almaty.