Dogs in Cyprus: rules, tax and travel

Dogs older than six months must be registered with the Director of Veterinary Services, with a health certificate or health booklet (Dogs Law 184(I)/2002, Art. 8).[1]

Registered dogs must be permanently marked with a code linked to the registration number, with the method chosen by the Veterinary Services (Art. 9). A news report says dogs over six months must be microchipped.[1]

No separate dog tax was found. The only yearly charge confirmed is the dog licence fee paid to the local authority.[1]

Each dog needs an annual licence from the local authority where it lives. It expires on 31 December and applications are accepted from 1 November to 31 December. The fee is 20.50 EUR for most dogs, 24 EUR for hunting dogs and 170 EUR for neutered dogs of banned breeds already licensed.[1]

typical 20.5 EUR, 20.5 to 170 EUR a year

Third-party liability insurance (property damage and injury to people) is compulsory for dogs of the listed dangerous breeds. No general insurance duty for other dogs was found.[1]

Letting any dog roam a public road or public place unleashed is an offence (Art. 18). Dogs of the listed breeds must wear an approved muzzle and be leashed, held by a person aged 16 or over, whenever outside the owner's premises.[1]

Penalties under the Dogs Law: up to 12 months in prison, a fine up to 2,000 EUR, or both for a first conviction; up to 24 months and 4,000 EUR for a repeat conviction.[1]

Cosmetic mutilation such as tail docking and ear cropping has been banned in Cyprus since 2003, and the EU rules will add more limits on breeding.[2]

An EU pet passport, a microchip and a rabies vaccination given at 12 weeks or older are needed, with entry at least 21 days after the first vaccination. Up to 5 animals may travel.[3]

Microchip, rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older, and entry at least 21 days later, plus an EU animal health certificate issued no more than 10 days before arrival with a non-commercial declaration. Enter through a designated travellers' point of entry. Up to 5 pets.[4]

Required for pets from most non-EU countries not on the EU list. Blood is taken at least 30 days after vaccination, then travel waits 3 months from the sample date.[4]

Not required for Cyprus. Tapeworm treatment applies only to dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland.[3]

No quarantine if the pet meets the entry conditions. Pets that do not comply can face official measures.[5]