Flying with a pet within Russia: documents and rules

Checked: 10/14/2026

What you need to fly with a cat or dog on domestic flights: documents, rabies vaccination, the vet certificate and airline rules — with links to official sources

Rules are checked against official sources — linked at the bottom of each block. Check your airline’s requirements before the trip

In short: what you need

Pet passport with a valid rabies vaccinationRequired. Without a valid vaccination the pet cannot travel
A check-up by a state vetBefore the trip, show your pet and its passport at a state veterinary station (SBBZh) — no earlier than 14 days before the flight
A veterinary certificate is usually not neededIf you are the owner and the pet is not being sold, given to a new owner or taken to a show, no veterinary accompanying documents are issued
Agree the pet with the airlinePets must be agreed when booking. The pet’s weight with the carrier is not part of the free baggage allowance and is paid at the airline’s rate

Rabies vaccination

It must be valid on the travel date
It is recorded in the pet passport. Validity depends on the vaccine and is written by the vet
Get the first shot early
Immunity after a primary vaccination takes 21 days; a vet certificate is issued no earlier than 20 days after it. If you revaccinate before the previous shot expires, there is no wait
Pulkovo Airport advises
Rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets no earlier than a year and no later than a month before the flight

When a certificate is still needed

The pet changes owner or goes to a show
Then you need a veterinary certificate (form No. 1) from a state veterinary station
Unvaccinated puppies and kittens under 3 months
May travel only with a form No. 1 veterinary certificate
How to get it
In Moscow and the Moscow region — the passport with a rabies vaccination and a stool test for worm eggs from an accredited lab no earlier than 5 days before the trip; other regions are usually similar. The certificate is valid from 5 days before the trip until it ends
The airline may ask for documents
Pet documents are checked at check-in — check your airline’s requirements in advance

Kaliningrad

By air
A passport with a rabies vaccination and a state vet check no earlier than 14 days before the flight are enough
By train or car through the EU
You also need an EU certificate and a rabies antibody (titer) test for dogs, cats and ferrets

What the aviation rules say

Agree when booking
Carriage of dogs, cats, birds and other small pets must be agreed with the carrier (item 25)
Cabin — with the airline’s consent
Pets travel as baggage; in the cabin if the airline agrees (item 143)
Carrier
A sturdy container with air access and a secure lock, a solid waterproof bottom with an absorbent pad; bird cages are covered with thick fabric (item 143)
Payment
The weight of the pet, carrier and food is not part of the free baggage allowance and is paid at the airline’s rate (item 143)
Guide dogs
Travel with a visually impaired passenger under separate rules (items 113, 144)

Russian airlines: pets in the cabin and hold

Each airline sets its own weight limit and fee. Details, carrier and how to book are on the airline’s page

Airline	Cabin	Cabin fee	Hold
Aeroflot	up to 8 kg	€85	up to 50 kg
S7 Airlines	up to 10 kg	Depends on the weight with the carrier and the route — the website shows it when you buy; if you already have a ticket, ask the contact center	up to 50 kg
Pobeda	up to 15 kg	€38	no
Utair	up to 10 kg	RUB 3,500	up to 50 kg
Rossiya Airlines	up to 8 kg	Charged as excess baggage; amounts are not published — check with the airline	up to 50 kg
Ural Airlines	up to 8 kg	PETA fee per one-way trip: domestic and Russia to CIS 5,000 RUB, Russia to other countries 6,500 RUB, CIS to Russia 60 USD, other countries to Russia 80 USD. More within 24 hours of departure	no
Smartavia	up to 12 kg	RUB 3,400	up to 50 kg
Nordwind	up to 8 kg	€35	no
Red Wings	up to 8 kg	Charged as special baggage — the website shows the amount. Adjacent seat: adult fare plus a fee from 5,000 RUB	up to 50 kg
Azimuth	up to 8 kg	€79	up to 50 kg
Yamal Airlines	up to 8 kg	RUB 5,000	up to 50 kg
Yakutia Airlines	up to 10 kg	Charged at excess baggage rates on the actual weight including the carrier	up to 50 kg
IrAero	up to 8 kg	Within Russia 3,850 RUB; from Russia abroad 5,750 RUB (Vietnam, Philippines 8,900 RUB); to Russia 65 EUR, from Vietnam 100 EUR, from China 480 CNY	up to 50 kg
RusLine	up to 8 kg	RUB 5,000	up to 50 kg
AZUR Air	up to 8 kg	€65	up to 50 kg
Severstal Air Company	up to 8 kg	RUB 3,500	up to 50 kg
NordStar	up to 10 kg	Shown when you book, or ask +7 800 700 8007	up to 50 kg

We find domestic flights where your pet can fly and show the price including the pet fee

Document checklist Find flights with a pet

Questions people ask

What documents do I need to fly with a cat within Russia?

A pet passport with a valid rabies vaccination and a state vet check (SBBZh) no earlier than 14 days before the flight. A veterinary certificate (form No. 1) is not needed if you are the owner and the pet is not being sold or taken to a show.

How much does it cost to fly a pet within Russia?

The airline sets the fee: the pet’s weight with the carrier is not part of the free baggage allowance. See the table above and each airline’s page.

Is a microchip required for domestic flights in Russia?

Rosselkhoznadzor’s instructions for travel within Russia do not mention a microchip — you need a passport with a rabies vaccination and a vet check. You will need a chip if you then fly abroad.