Bringing a pet to Greece

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Greece applies moderate-to-strict entry rules for dogs, cats, and ferrets, with requirements that vary depending on the rabies-risk category of the country of origin. There is no routine quarantine for compliant pets from EU or listed low-risk countries, but pets from high-risk areas face additional testing and waiting periods. Expect thorough document checks at entry, especially for non-EU arrivals.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Greece.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Not required
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU Pet Passport
  • Rabies vaccination certificate

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30-50, EU Pet Passport ~$20-50, rabies vaccination ~$20-50 — confirm current prices with a local vet.

Pets from EU/listed countries (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, etc.) travel with an EU Pet Passport. No health certificate or import permit needed.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS in the US, DEFRA in the UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Third Country Health Certificate (Annex IV)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Pets from non-EU low-risk countries (US, UK, Japan, Australia, etc.) need a Third Country Health Certificate endorsed by the competent authority. No titer test or import permit required.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS in the US) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Third Country Health Certificate (Annex IV)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip proof
  • Rabies titer test (FAVN) certificate
  • Import permit from Greek veterinary authority

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary by country — confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Pets from high-risk countries must have a negative rabies titer test (FAVN) and obtain an import permit from the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food. The titer test must be done at an EU-approved laboratory. The 3-month waiting period after the blood sample applies.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

No, the US is classified as a low-risk country. A rabies titer test is not required. You need a microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), and a Third Country Health Certificate endorsed by USDA APHIS within 10 days of travel.
You may bring up to 5 dogs as a non-commercial traveller. If you bring more than 5, commercial rules apply. This limit is per person.
No, emotional support dogs are not exempt. They must meet all standard requirements: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and if from a high-risk country, titer test and import permit. Service dogs (guide dogs) may have slightly relaxed health certificate rules but still require microchip and rabies vaccination.
A puppy must be at least 12 weeks old to receive its rabies vaccination, then wait 21 days after that vaccination before travel. The earliest entry age is 15 weeks.
No, Greece does not impose quarantine for dogs from any origin if all requirements are met. For high-risk countries, you must complete a rabies titer test with a 3-month waiting period after the blood sample and obtain an import permit, but no physical quarantine upon arrival.
You must bring your own ISO-compatible microchip reader, as border officials will not provide one. Alternatively, have your vet implant an ISO-compliant microchip before travel.
No, since the UK left the EU, UK-issued EU Pet Passports are no longer valid for entry into Greece. You must use a Third Country Health Certificate (Annex IV) endorsed by DEFRA within 10 days of travel, along with a microchip and rabies vaccination.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Greece.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) or equivalent
  • Microchip proof (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

Cats from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican) follow same rules as EU intra-community travel. No titer test or import permit needed.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) completed by an official vet
  • Microchip proof (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

Cats from low-risk countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan, Australia) need an EU health certificate endorsed by the competent authority. No titer test or import permit required for cats.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) endorsed by official vet
  • Microchip proof (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Rabies titer test (FAVN) certificate from EU-approved lab
  • Import permit from Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

Cats from high-risk countries must have a valid FAVN titer test and an import permit. The permit application should be submitted at least 30 days before travel. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

A cat must be at least 12 weeks old to receive a rabies vaccination, and then wait 21 days before travel. So the earliest entry age is 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days).
Non-commercial travellers may bring up to 5 cats without commercial import rules. If you bring more than 5, you must comply with commercial regulations, including additional paperwork and possible customs duties.
No. The United States is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. Cats from the US do not need a FAVN titer test. Only cats from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, India, Russia) require the test.
No. Greece does not recognise emotional support animals as a separate category for import. All cats must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and permit requirements, regardless of their role.
If your cat's rabies booster is overdue, it will not affect re-entry to Greece as long as you are not leaving the country. However, if you plan to travel to another EU country or return to your origin, the vaccination must be current. Keep boosters up to date to avoid issues.
No. An ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip is mandatory for all cats entering Greece. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. If your cat has a non-ISO chip, you must bring your own scanner or have the chip replaced.
The EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by an official veterinarian. It must be issued no more than 10 days before arrival in Greece.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Greece.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV, Part 2) issued within 10 days of travel
  • Pet passport (if from EU/EEA country)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, EU pet passport if applicable ~$30-60. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

Greece follows EU Regulation 576/2013. Ferrets are classified as pets under the same rules as dogs and cats. No titer test or import permit needed for free-origin (EU-equivalent) countries.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV, Part 2) issued within 10 days of travel
  • Third-country pet passport or equivalent official health certificate

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, third-country pet passport ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

Greece follows EU Regulation 576/2013. Ferrets from low-risk countries (e.g. US, UK, Japan) do not require a rabies titer test or import permit. The health certificate must be endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country (e.g. USDA APHIS for the US).

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • FAVN titer test certificate (≥0.5 IU/mL, from EU-approved lab)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV, Part 2) issued within 10 days of travel
  • Import permit from the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees ~$50-150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

Greece follows EU Regulation 576/2013. Ferrets from high-risk countries require a rabies titer test (FAVN) and an import permit. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order. The import permit must be obtained before travel.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes. All ferrets entering Greece must have a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before travel. The vaccine must be given after the microchip is implanted. The minimum age for vaccination is 12 weeks.
No. The United States is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. Ferrets from the US do not need a FAVN test. Only ferrets from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa) require a titer test.
You may bring up to 5 ferrets under the non-commercial pet travel rules (EU Regulation 576/2013). If you bring more than 5, you must comply with commercial import regulations, which require additional documentation and may involve customs procedures.
Yes. Ferrets arriving from high-risk countries must have an import permit issued by the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food. Apply at least 30 days before travel. The permit is not required for ferrets from free or low-risk countries.
No. Greece does not recognize emotional support animals under EU pet travel rules. Your ferret must meet all standard import requirements regardless of its role. Service animals (e.g., guide dogs) have separate rules, but ferrets are not typically classified as service animals.
The EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV, Part 2) must be issued within 10 days of your ferret's arrival in Greece. For ferrets from non-EU countries, the certificate must also be endorsed by the competent authority (e.g., USDA APHIS) within that same 10-day window.
That depends on the airline. Most carriers allow small ferrets in the cabin if they are in an approved carrier that fits under the seat. Check with your airline for specific size and weight limits. Ferrets are generally allowed as carry-on pets on many European airlines, but always confirm directly.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped (ISO 11784/11785) and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. For pets from non-EU high-risk countries, a rabies antibody titre test is required at least 30 days after vaccination and 3 months before entry. Always carry an EU Pet Passport (for EU-origin pets) or an official third-country veterinary certificate endorsed by the competent authority of the exporting country.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Greece, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Greece's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.