Georgia is one of the most animal-friendly countries in the region. Bringing a dog or cat is straightforward, there's no separate quarantine, and Tbilisi is full of pet-friendly cafés and parks. Below: what to prepare before the trip, where to stay with your animal and where to go if something comes up.
Animal import rules
Georgia allows dogs, cats and ferrets in without quarantine if basic requirements are met. The rules are more relaxed than the EU's, but you still need to prepare ahead — the rabies vaccine has to 'mature'.
- Microchip — ISO standard, fitted before the rabies vaccination.
- Rabies vaccination — done no later than 30 days and no earlier than 12 months before entry.
- Veterinary certificate — international form, issued 1–5 days before travel.
What documents do you need?
Prepare a folder in advance — at the border they may ask for any of these:
- International pet passport with chip and vaccination records.
- Health certificate from a vet (recent).
- Proof of rabies vaccination with the date and vaccine batch number.
- Antibody titre test — usually not required to enter Georgia, but useful if you plan to return to the EU later.
| Document | Required | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ISO microchip | Yes | fit before the rabies shot |
| Rabies vaccination | Yes | 30 days–12 months before entry |
| Vet certificate | Yes | 1–5 days before travel |
| Antibody titre | No | needed to return to the EU |
Where to stay with a pet?
Renting in Tbilisi is easier than in Europe: many landlords are relaxed about animals, especially long-term. Tips:
- Long-term rental — mention the pet upfront to save time. The deposit is sometimes slightly higher.
- Hotels and guesthouses — look for the pet-friendly tag; there are many in Tbilisi and Batumi.
- Neighbourhoods — Vake and Saburtalo are convenient for parks and greenery.
Tip: get the rabies shot at least a month before the flight and keep the pet passport in your hand luggage. At the border they ask for it, not the health certificate.
Pet-friendly cafés and parks
Tbilisi is comfortable for walks with animals:
- Vake Park — a large park with walking areas, popular with dog owners.
- Mtatsminda Park — up the hill, with views; the funicular is the easy way up (check pet transport rules).
- Mtkvari embankment and Rike Park — pleasant walking routes.
- Cafés — many places with open terraces allow dogs; some offer a water bowl.
Vet clinics and care
Tbilisi has plenty of vet clinics, many with English- and Russian-speaking staff. Appointments and procedures are cheaper than in Europe. Food and litter are sold in pet shops and supermarkets, including premium brands.
If you're just settling in, our guides to moving to Georgia and what to see in Tbilisi are useful. And a Tbilisi city tour is a good way to learn the city and where it's best to walk your pet.
Flying with a pet
Small animals up to about 8 kg including the carrier are taken in the cabin by most airlines; larger ones travel in a heated hold. Book the pet's spot early: each flight has a quota and it fills fast. The carrier must meet the IATA standard, and it's best to get your pet used to it a couple of weeks before the flight.
Don't feed the animal heavily before flying, but do offer water. Check the document requirements with the airline and the arrival airport in advance — carriers' rules differ, and the check-in desk is too late to fix anything.
Heat, settling in and taking pets back
Tbilisi summers are hot, often above 35 °C. Walk your pet early morning and evening, always carry water and avoid scorching asphalt — it burns paws. For the first few days let the animal settle calmly into the new water, food and smells.
If you plan to return to the EU with your pet later, start early: you need a rabies antibody titre test (blood drawn at least 3 months before entry) and a veterinary certificate. For other countries check their own import rules — they can differ from Georgia's.
Your first week with a pet
Give the first week after the move to the basics — both you and the animal settle more calmly that way. Find the nearest vet clinic straight away and get acquainted before you need help urgently; at many Tbilisi clinics the vets speak Russian and English.
Buy familiar food — the city has pet shops and delivery, and most international brands are available, but check yours in advance. Update the ID tag with a local phone number: if the pet gets lost, you'll be reached faster. Scout walking spots — Vake and Mtatsminda parks, the embankment — and match the routine to the heat: in summer walk early morning and evening. Put together a small first-aid kit and a water supply. A tourist doesn't need to re-register the chip locally, but for a long stay it's worth doing. A first-aid kit, a known vet, the right food and an ID tag in the first days remove almost every everyday worry.
Public transport and taxis with a pet
Getting around Tbilisi with an animal is realistic, but the rules depend on the mode. The metro and city buses allow small animals in a carrier or bag; a large dog cannot travel at rush hour, and a muzzle and leash are mandatory for one. Drivers are generally relaxed about calm dogs, but formally they can refuse, so avoid a packed cabin.
The easiest option is a taxi through the Bolt or Yandex Go apps. Bolt has a dedicated Pet category where drivers agree in advance to carry animals; on the standard tariff, message or call the driver first, as some cars will not take pets. A large dog is almost always asked for with a muzzle and a mat; cats and small breeds travel in a carrier.
For trips out of town (Kazbegi, Kakheti, Borjomi) a private transfer with a guide is easier — warn them a pet is coming to avoid refusals on the spot. Bring drinking water and a folding bowl: cars get hot in summer even with air conditioning.
Key takeaways
If you remember just the essentials:
- Dogs and cats enter without quarantine: you need an ISO chip, a rabies shot and a vet certificate.
- Get the vaccination at least a month before entry; keep the pet passport in your hand luggage.
- Tbilisi is pet-friendly: pet-friendly cafés, Vake and Mtatsminda parks, affordable vet clinics.
- In summer walk early morning and evening — heat above 35 °C burns paws and risks overheating.
- To return to the EU, do a rabies antibody titre test in advance (at least 3 months ahead).
Official sources