Georgia (GE)
Caucasus gateway with long visa-free stays for many nationalities, low business taxes, mountain-and-wine culture, and a fast-changing 2026 work-permit environment.
Bringing Pets to Georgia
Requirements, costs and process for relocating with your pets.
Vaccinations
Restricted Breeds
💰 Costs
Health certificate at accredited home-country vet: 50–200 EUR. Airline pet fees (in-cabin, pets under 8 kg including carrier): 50–150 EUR typically. Cargo hold (larger pets): 150–400 EUR. National Food Agency airport inspection: free. First Georgian vet visit: 30–60 GEL. Annual vaccinations in Georgia: 40–80 GEL.
🐕 Dog Tax / Registration
Georgia does not have a formal annual dog tax. However, the Municipality of Tbilisi requires registration of dogs. A nominal registration fee may apply. Dog registration is managed through local municipality offices — contact Tbilisi City Hall (tbilisi.gov.ge) for current requirements. Dog owners must clean up after their pets in public spaces — Tbilisi is increasingly enforcing this.
Main Tbilisi veterinary clinics experienced with international pet documentation: Vetline (check their Facebook page for current locations — they operate multiple branches in Tbilisi); Vets4Pets Georgia; Georgian Vet Clinic (Vake area); various neighbourhood clinics in Saburtalo. Vet costs: consultation 30–60 GEL; annual vaccination package 40–80 GEL; neutering/spaying 200–400 GEL; dental cleaning 100–200 GEL. All significantly cheaper than Western European rates. Ask in the "Expats in Georgia" Facebook group for current recommendations — vets change and expat community feedback is most reliable.
📋 Relocation Process
1. Microchip your pet with ISO 11784/11785 chip (15-digit) — must be done BEFORE or at the same time as rabies vaccination, otherwise the vaccination timing restarts. 2. Administer rabies vaccination after microchip — wait minimum 21 days before travel. Vaccination must be within 12 months of travel. 3. Obtain official health certificate from an accredited vet in your home country within 10 days of departure. For EU pets, this is the EU Animal Health Certificate (for export to non-EU countries). For UK pets, the AHC (Animal Health Certificate from an Official Veterinarian). 4. If coming from a high-risk rabies country, additional documentation may be required — check with the Georgian National Food Agency (moa.gov.ge) before travel. 5. Book your pet on the flight — most airlines require advance booking for pets; not all flights accept pets. 6. On arrival at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS): proceed to the LEPL National Food Agency inspection desk at the arrivals hall. Present all pet documents. If documents are complete, your pet is cleared within 30–60 minutes. 7. Register with a Tbilisi vet within the first week. Update vaccination records. Register microchip in Georgian system if possible. 8. Municipality of Tbilisi dog registration: required within 30 days of establishing residence with your dog — visit the Tbilisi City Hall or municipality portal.
CRITICAL: Georgia is NOT rabies-free. This is the most important distinction from Western European pet-owning experience. Stray dogs (urban and rural): Tbilisi and other Georgian cities have significant populations of stray dogs. Most urban strays are tagged (as part of the TNVR — Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return programme) and are generally not aggressive. However, rural stray dogs and packs can be territorial. Approach unfamiliar dogs cautiously — never let your dog run freely near stray dog groups. If bitten by a stray: seek immediate medical attention at a Tbilisi emergency clinic for assessment of rabies exposure. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available at major Tbilisi hospitals. Your pet's rabies vaccination protects the pet — ensure it is current throughout your stay in Georgia. Your pet's annual booster must be administered within 12 months of the previous vaccination. Leaving Georgia with your pet: obtain a new health certificate from a Georgian vet (within 10 days of departure). If returning to the EU, the EU requires your pet to have a valid rabies vaccination AND a rabies antibody titer test (FAVN test) showing adequate immunity, taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination — this test must be done at a Georgian laboratory accredited by the EU. Plan this well in advance if returning to EU countries. Georgian vets can issue official health certificates for departure — coordinate with the National Food Agency for export certification. Pet-friendly Tbilisi: Many cafes, restaurants (with outdoor seating), and hotels welcome dogs. Georgia generally has a more relaxed attitude to pets in public spaces than Western European countries. Vake Park and the Tbilisi Botanical Garden are popular dog walking areas.