Taking Your Dog to Israel
Use this 2026 checklist to prepare your dog’s microchip, rabies vaccine, rabies titer, health certificate, and any needed Israeli import permit before departure.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Israel
ISO Microchip
Your dog must be identified with an ISO-compliant microchip before the most recent rabies vaccination. If the chip is not ISO compliant, the owner must provide a compatible reader on arrival.
Must be implanted before the current rabies vaccination.Rabies Vaccination
Dogs must be at least 4 months old on arrival and current on rabies vaccination. If a primary rabies vaccine is given, or a booster is given after the previous vaccine expired, Israel treats it as a primary vaccination.
Primary rabies vaccination must be given at least 30 days before import.Rabies Titer Test
A rabies neutralizing antibody titer of at least 0.5 IU/ml is required from an approved laboratory. The result remains valid for the life of the animal as long as rabies boosters stay current according to the vaccine manufacturer’s schedule.
Blood sample must be drawn more than 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination.Health Certificate
Travel from the United States uses the Israel-specific USDA APHIS export paperwork completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS. Israel requires the country-specific certificate rather than APHIS Form 7001.
Complete close to departure and submit for USDA endorsement within the validity window on the Israel certificate.Import Permit
Israel generally requires an import license for pets, but travelers may qualify for an exemption when importing up to two pets that arrive with the owner on the same flight, have been under the owner’s personal supervision for at least 90 days before the flight, meet the health requirements, are not restricted breeds, and will stay with the owner in Israel. More than two pets, pets not traveling with the owner, or restricted-breed cases need an import permit.
If needed, apply before travel; EL AL states permit requests should be submitted at least 10 days before the animal’s planned departure.Parasite Treatment
No routine parasite treatment requirement was listed in the USDA APHIS Israel guidance reviewed for dogs entering Israel from the United States.
Not specified by the official sources reviewed.Quarantine Period
Routine home or station quarantine is not listed for dogs that meet Israel’s standard entry requirements. Older Israeli consular guidance notes quarantine may be imposed by the Director of Veterinary Services in some cases.
Only if ordered by Israeli veterinary authorities on arrival or for non-compliance.Banned Breeds
Israel restricts entry of dangerous breeds and similar crosses. APHIS lists American Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Amstaff), Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, and Rottweiler. APHIS instructs veterinarians not to issue or submit export certificates for these dogs unless the owner has a valid translated Israeli import permit specific to dangerous breeds.
Breed-specific permit must be secured before certificate issuance if applicable.Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam | $75-150 | Typical private-practice exam pricing in the U.S.; your travel vet may charge more for international paperwork. |
| Rabies vaccination | $20-35 | Only needed if your dog is not currently vaccinated or will not remain current through travel. |
| Rabies titer test | $69-69 | Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory lists RFFIT rabies antibody endpoint at $69; your vet may add blood draw, shipping, and handling fees. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $160-160 | APHIS fee for 1 pet on a certificate requiring 1-2 laboratory tests. |
| Airline pet fee | $100-400 | EL AL lists $100 for pets up to 8 kg, $200 for 9-50 kg, and $400 for 51-100 kg, based on total weight of pet plus container and food. |
| Import permit fee | Varies | Official Israeli sources reviewed confirm a permit may be required in some cases, but no current public fee schedule was clearly published in the sources reviewed. |
| Microchip | $15-50 | If your dog does not already have a compliant microchip. |
| Total | $439-864+ |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
As of March 25, 2026, CDC requires all dogs entering or returning to the United States to appear healthy on arrival, be at least 6 months old, be microchipped, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt completed before arrival. Additional rules depend on where your dog has been during the 6 months before returning and where it was vaccinated against rabies. If your dog has been only in dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries during the previous 6 months, the CDC Dog Import Form is the core federal requirement. If your dog has been in any CDC-listed high-risk country during the previous 6 months, stricter documentation applies, including rabies vaccination documentation tied to the microchip, and foreign-vaccinated dogs may face additional entry conditions. Before flying home, check CDC’s current country risk list, confirm airline requirements, and make sure your dog’s microchip number matches every document exactly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog need a microchip to enter Israel?
Yes. Israel requires dogs to be identified with a microchip before the most recent rabies vaccination. APHIS specifies an ISO-compliant chip, and if the chip is not ISO compliant, the owner must provide a reader.
How long before travel should my dog get the rabies vaccine for Israel?
If your dog needs a primary rabies vaccination, it must be given at least 30 days before import. If a booster is given after the previous vaccine expired, Israel treats that booster as a primary vaccination and the 30-day wait applies again.
Is a rabies titer test required for dogs going to Israel?
Yes. Israel requires a rabies neutralizing antibody titer of at least 0.5 IU/ml from an approved laboratory. The blood sample must be taken more than 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination.
Do I always need an import permit for Israel?
Not always. Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture says an import license is generally required, but travelers may qualify for an exemption if they bring no more than two pets, the pets arrive with the owner on the same flight, the owner has personally supervised them for at least 90 days before the flight, the pets meet the health rules, the pets are not restricted breeds, and the pets will stay with the owner in Israel.
Can I bring a pit bull or other restricted breed to Israel?
Restricted or dangerous breeds are heavily controlled. APHIS lists several dangerous breeds, including Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro, and Rottweiler. A specific Israeli import permit is required for such dogs, and APHIS tells U.S. veterinarians not to issue export paperwork without that permit.
Does Israel require quarantine for dogs?
Not as a routine step for dogs that fully meet the standard entry requirements. However, Israeli authorities may impose quarantine or other measures if the dog does not comply or if veterinary officials decide it is necessary.
What health certificate do I need from the United States to Israel?
You need the Israel-specific USDA APHIS export health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS. APHIS guidance says that when a country-specific certificate exists, that is the certificate that must be used.
What do I need to return to the United States with my dog after visiting Israel?
At minimum, your dog must be at least 6 months old, microchipped, healthy on arrival, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt before entering the U.S. If your dog has been in a CDC high-risk rabies country within the previous 6 months, additional CDC documentation and conditions apply.