Pets from abroad in Greece: rules, registration and moving
You have decided to live in Greece and you are wondering how to take your pet with you? It is not complicated to travel with your pet in Greece, and you will be happy to have them with you in this new territory. If your pet comes from a European country, the animal will be subject to European legislation. We can never say it enough, a successful expatriation requires a good preparation, and this also counts for our 4-legged friends. How do you register your pet in Greece? What are the procedures for dogs and cats? I’m Lisbob, the expats assistant, and I will reveal the essentials about the rules, registration and moving pets to Greece from abroad.
Rules
If your pet comes from a European country, the animal will be subject to European legislation. Here are some mandatory conditions that must be met in order for you to bring your pet with you to Greece:
Type of pet: Any pet can travel on board, provided it is vaccinated and is not an endangered or protected species. This includes dogs, cats, small mammals, but also new pets such as amphibians, reptiles and birds.
Electronic identification: in Greece your animal must have an electronic identification to the standards – the chip is now mandatory. If your pet was tattooed before 2011, this is also a valid form of identification. The chip must comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards, and have 15 digits. If your pet does not have a compliant chip, you can also bring your own chip scanner or call the arrival airport and ask if they have chip readers.
Vaccination:
Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. If your pet comes from a country considered high risk for rabies, it must have been vaccinated a second time, and you must wait three months before you can travel after this second vaccination.
To find out if your country of departure is considered high risk for rabies, consult the pdf on this site for a list of affected countries.
You will know all about pets in Greece
To enter Greece, you will not need any additional vaccinations.
Special case: If your pet comes from Malaysia or Australia:
Your pet must have had no contact with pigs for at least 60 days prior to export.
Your pet must not have been in areas where Nipah and Hendra viruses have been reported in the last 60 days.
Your pet must have tested negative for Nipah virus 10 days prior to travel (igG ELISA test).
Passport:
If your pet comes from a European country, you must have created a passport in its name.
If it does not come from a European country, you must have a health certificate for your pet that is less than 10 days old.
If you wish to transport more than five animals:
They must all be at least 6 months old, and participate in a special event such as a sport or contest. If they do not meet these criteria, they will be considered commercial.
If you wish to transport your pet for commercial purposes:
You will need to fill out a commercial health certificate, dated less than 48 hours before your trip, filled out by your veterinarian.
Air travel
The conditions for accepting your pet depend on the airline you have chosen. There are some common rules, however, that apply to almost all companies:
If your pet comes from a non-European territory, it can only be accepted at the airport of Thessaloniki or Athens.
Animals accepted in the cabin:
When the animals are small, whether they are a dog or cat or rabbit, they are generally accepted in cabins as long as they do not weigh more than eight kilos.
If your pet exceeds 8 kilos, it must be transported in the hold.
No breed of dog is prohibited in Greece, but check with your airline just in case, some reserve the right to prohibit certain breeds (if you have a staffordshire or a pitbull for example).
Boat travel
Most Greek boat companies will accept your pet on board. However, if you travel by ferry it will usually be much easier. Your pet will only need to be kept on a leash and the trip will be free for him/her most of the time.
For hovercrafts, there is a good chance that you will have to leave it in a cage, in the room provided for this purpose. If you have rented a cabin, you can leave it freely inside.
Registration and transport
If you have chosen to travel by plane with your pet to Greece, you will have to pay the on-board check-in fee. These fees depend on the company, but also if the flight is international or domestic. Check-in fees will be more expensive for international flights, and will vary depending on the weight of your pet.
There are generally three weight categories, the lightest being less expensive: less than 8kg, between 8kg and 25kg, and more than 25kg (each higher category costs about double).
Your pet must be carried in an IATA (International Air Transport Association) approved crate, and the bottom of the crate must be covered with a blanket or newspaper. Try to get him used to the crate before the trip so that he doesn’t get too stressed out during transport. To prevent your pet from vomiting or defecating during the trip, avoid feeding him too much beforehand.
You are not required to physically accompany your pet on the trip, even if you have chosen to take your pet in the cabin. You will nevertheless have to write a certificate stating this when checking in at the airport, so that your animal can be taken care of.
We advise you to subscribe to a mutual insurance to protect you in case of incidents (accidents, runaway, death) during the transport of your pet.
Moving
Pets are just as sensitive to life changes as you are, especially moves. In order for your expatriation to Greece to go smoothly, make sure of several things:
Keep things he knows in his new home: toys, baskets, bowls.
Keep the same mealtime routine
If your pet is naturally stressed, you can ask your veterinarian for a sedative that you can administer on the day of the trip to ensure a smooth ride.
Greeks are used to the company of dogs, and yours will easily fit into their lifestyle. The food and care you’ll find is top-notch in the country so you’ll have no problem making sure your pet is happy in its new home.