Greece Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Greece pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering this country from non-EU countries. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Greece will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and one of the following:

An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU or Northern Ireland pets)
An EU Health Certificate (non-EU-resident pets)
A government-issued Pet Passport from a part 1 listed third country (see EU COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS)
An Animal Health Certificate when entering Greece from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales). UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO GREECE below.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Greece

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Greece if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Greece must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-8 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: EU Country Classifications

The European Union (EU) does not recognize any countries as rabies-free. Dogs, cats, and ferrets from all countries are subject to current rabies vaccination according to their regulations. The EU classifies countries as either:

The requirements to import a dog, cat, or ferret to Greece will depend on the classification of your country of origin and whether your pet has entered an unlisted country within the past 4 months. Click on the links above to find your origination country’s classification.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their country of origin before reviewing import regulations for Greece.

Step 2: Type of Transport

The European Union classifies the movement of pets as non-commercial or commercial. These pet import requirements apply to both non-commercial and commercial transports. Review the conditions below to determine whether your pet’s transport will be classified as non-commercial or commercial as the requirements for each type of transport are different.

Conditions for Non-Commercial Transport

• All pets must enter Greece with or within five days of their owner*. Proof of travel will be required AND
• The transport applies to no more than five pets unless proof of participation in a competition or show is available, and pets are over six months of age AND
• The purpose of the transport must not be for adoption, sale, or exchange of ownership.

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations.

All pet owners transporting their pets under non-commercial regulations must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that their pet’s transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of their pet.

Unless all of the above conditions are satisfied, your pet must travel under commercial regulations.

Conditions for Commercial Transport

The pet is not traveling with or within five days of the owner* OR
The transport is greater than five pets under one owner’s passport OR
The purpose of the transport involves any change of ownership, adoption or commercial sale.

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations.

If any of the above conditions are met, then your pet must travel under commercial regulations. The importer must be registered in the origin country and have proof of the organization they represent. They also must have proof that this business or organization will be responsible for the import of the pet. The exporter must provide proof that they are registered in the exporting country.

Step 3: Pet Microchip

The third step to import a dog, cat or ferret to Greece is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit, ISO 11784/11785 compliant pet microchip. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO compliant, you can either bring your own microchip scanner.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer or government database in your country.

A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification under the following conditions:

It was applied prior to July 3, 2011 and
The tattoo is clearly visible and
Your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied and
All rabies vaccinations after the tattoo was applied were kept current. (No rabies vaccinations were allowed to expire before boosters were administered).

Step 4: Vaccinations

All dogs, cats and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering Greece must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted.

If entering Greece from another EU Member State, part 1 or p2 listed country, your pet must wait 21 days after primary rabies vaccination to travel. If entering Greece from an unlisted country, pets must wait for 30 days to have a licensed veterinarian administer a rabies titer test (next step).

In either case, do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.

Other Vaccinations

Pet owners should always consider healthy vaccinations against diseases such as:

canine distemper (also for ferrets)
canine hepatitis
canine leptospirosis
canine parvovirus
feline viral rhinotracheitis
feline panleukopenia
feline leukemia

Exception: Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper when being transported commercially.

Step 5: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test, also known as a serology test, must be administered to pets entering Greece from unlisted countries only. The test should be administered no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination is administered. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit.

This test measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. There are several kinds of rabies titer tests, although the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) is preferred.

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Greece until 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test and avoid denial of entry.

It is worth noting that some EU Member States require that serology levels be confirmed prior to leaving their country.

The test is valid to enter any EU Member State for the life of your pet if boosters are administered prior to the expiration of the previous rabies vaccination.

Step 6: Import Permit

Pet owners do not need an import permit when entering Greece with a dog, cat, or ferret. Unaccompanied pets may need an import permit.

Step 7: Parasite Treatments

Pet owners should always protect their pets from internal and external parasites to keep them healthy when traveling internationally; however, proof of these treatments is not required for pets imported to Greece.

Step 8: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires current health certificates in their pet import regulations, and Greece is no exception. The type of health certificate required will depend on the type of transport the pet is traveling under – non-commercial or commercial.

Non-Commercial Transport to Greece from an EU Member State or Part 1 Listed Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply unless your pet has entered an unlisted country within 4 months of travel.

Resident Pets: Have your veterinarian issue and update an EU Pet Passport or a government-issued Pet Passport (Part 1 Listed Third Country) for your pet. A health check prior to travel is recommended and may be required by your air carrier.

An EU pet health certificate is not required for pets traveling to Greece with a current Pet Passport.

Non-Resident Pets (visitors): If your pet has not lived in an EU Member State or Part 1 Listed Country for 4 months or you do not have a permanent address in origination country, then your pet will need a health certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Non-Commercial Transport to Greece from a Part 2 Listed or Unlisted Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 applies under the following conditions:

Your pet is originating from an unlisted country or
Your pet has entered an unlisted country within 4 month of travel.

A licensed veterinarian must issue a health certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

The EU pet health certificate for Greece is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets. The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU if the rabies vaccination documented on the certificate does not expire during that time.

Commercial Transport to Greece from an EU Member State

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply.

Your pet must travel from a licensed premise which is registered with the governing authority in your EU Member State
responsible for the import and export of animals.

Your veterinarian must obtain and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet.

Your pet must be inspected, and an Intratrade Pet Health Certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of entry.

The transport must be recorded in TRACES by an agent ahead of travel. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Commercial Transport to Greece from a Part 1 and 2 Listed Third Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply.

Your pet must be inspected, and a health certificate must be issued and endorsed by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES by an agent. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Commercial Transport to Greece from an Unlisted Country

Step 3, 4 and 5 apply.

Note: Pets can only enter Greece from unlisted countries under commercial regulations from these countries.

Your pet must be inspected, and a health certificate must be issued and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Greece

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES by an agent in Greece. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Importing Dogs and Cats to Greece from Malaysia and Australia

If your dog, cat or ferret is entering Greece from peninsular Malaysia, the following additional conditions must be met:

Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.
Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.
Your pet has been tested with negative a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export.

Cats may only enter Greece from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Greece

Unvaccinated puppies, kittens and ferrets are not permitted to enter Greece from any country or EU Member State. Rabies vaccinations will not be recognized until 12 weeks of age and there is a 21 day wait for puppies and kittens arriving from EU Member States and part 1 or 2 listed third countries.

Puppies and kittens entering from unlisted countries cannot do so until they are at least 7 months of age to meet requirements.

More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to Greece

Greece does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Greece with a Pet

Accompanied pets entering the Greek mainland by air from non-EU countries must do so at Border Inspection Posts at international airports in Athens and Thessaloniki. Accompanied pets flying to the Greek islands may enter at the
following airports: Rhodes, Kos, Kalimnos, Mitilini, Mirina (Limnos), Chios, Ermoupolis (Syros), Crete (Iraklio and Chania)
and Corfu.

Pets can fly to Greece in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo according to airline pet policies. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.

Flights to Greece should be direct or transit through an EU Member State, Part 1 or 2 Listed Third Country if possible*. If your pet transits through an Unlisted Third Country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

All commercial transports, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in the TRACES database and the responsible transporter must be registered. Non-commercial transports by land must also be registered.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Greece. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

Exporting Resident Pets

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Greece for another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country must:

Be microchipped
Be vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age and
Wait for 21 days after primary vaccination before leaving Greece.
Have a licensed veterinarian issue an EU Pet Passport (EU destinations) or Export Health Certificate and other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements)

Note that many Part 1 Listed Countries will have additional requirements in addition to a resident Pet Passport when returning to their country.

Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Greece. Even if your pet is not entering an Unlisted Third Country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country.

All animals leaving Greece for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate in accordance to their destination country requirements prior to the issuance of an export permit. This permit will be issued by agencies in the origin province responsible for the issuance of export permits.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Greece

Other Animals

Domesticated rodents, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles entering Greece from any country must:

Be accompanied by their owner.
Be not more than 5 in number.
Be imported under non-commercial regulations only.
Have a current health certificate including identifying devices or features of the pet.
Be transported in crates or carriers compliant with the International Air Transport Association.
Have an Owner’s Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport
Enter transport in the TRACES System.
Enter Greece at an approved Border Inspection Post. (Non-EU transports)
Provide notice of arrival at least 1 working day in advance.

Pet Bird Import (Non-Poultry)

Only birds who are originating from these non-EU countries will be permitted entry. The following requirements will apply in addition to those listed above.

The bird must be identified by a non-removable, legible individual marking displaying an alpha-numeric code (clip, ring, microchip, transponder, ear tag).
Bird Owners must enter Greece at an approved border inspection point.
Have an examination by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of transport and found free of any signs of disease or external parasites.
Have a veterinarian issue a health certificate including the following information: description of the bird, owner of the bird, and address of origin and address of destination of the bird.
The bird must not be exposed to any other birds after 48 hour clinical examination.

Other Requirements for Bird Imports from Non-EU Countries:

Your bird must have undergone isolation for 30 days prior to export OR
Two vaccinations against avian influenza with the H5 vaccine between 60 days and 6 months of import OR
14 days of isolation in the origination country under the supervision of an authorized veterinarian and undergone a test to detect the H5 and H7 antigen or genome AND
PCR test for H5 and H7 avian influenza virus with negative result on one sample taken no sooner than the 7th day and no later than 14 days before import (a serological test is not sufficient) AND
Birds that are covered by CITES must have appropriate permits.

Birds must be examined within 48 hours of transport and held in isolation until travel. A health certificate must be issued and include the following information: characteristics of the bird, species, sex, color, owner’s information, veterinarian’s information, details of any medical tests or treatments.

After entering Greece, birds must be transferred directly to a private household or residency. The birds will be under surveillance during this time and must not be exposed to other birds for 30 days.

Birds that do not meet the above requirements will be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days when entering Greece.

Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the destination country.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Learn more about CITES

Need more pet import requirements for Greece?

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Current Information

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Greece pet import requirements.

Greece Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Quarantine for Pets Entering Greece