Greece runs on the standard EU pet-entry playbook, and the one that trips people up most is quarantine. Get the sequence wrong and your dog waits, not walks. The science here is simpler than it sounds: microchip, rabies, health certificate, in that order. Pixel has cleared EU borders on exactly this checklist, tail wagging. Work through the four decisions below and you land ready, not scrambling at the counter.
Bringing a pet to Greece requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
How Greece handles your pet Greece does NOT accept the entry in its territory of young animals (animals <12 weeks and between 12 and 16 weeks)
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
Cabin policy Minimum age 16 weeks If your pet is less than 16 weeks old and cannot meet the above requirements, click here . verified 2026-07-25 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesUSDA must ink-sign and emboss the health certificate. verified 2026-07-25 Acclimation certificate required ✓ YesExpand All Collapse All Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets Expand All Collapse All STEP 1: Meet the EU's Microchip and Rabies Vaccination Requirements Member States of the European Union (EU) Austria, Belgium, Your pet can travel… verified 2026-07-25 Health certificate validity 10 days However, the Military Veterinarian must issue the “non-commercial” health certificate within 10 days of arrival in the EU, or the “commercial” health certificate within 48 hours of the pet leaving the U.S. verified 2026-07-25 Government endorsed cert required ✓ YesThe "commercial" health certificate must be issued by an Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA within 48 hours of departing the U.S. verified 2026-07-25 Health certificate validity 30 days The "non-commercial" health certificate is valid for 30 days after the Accredited Veterinarian issues it. verified 2026-07-25 Microchip · Required ✓ Yesfore getting its rabies vaccination for travel to the EU, and your veterinarian must always scan the microchip before giving your pet a rabies vaccination. verified 2026-07-25 Microchip · Standard ISO
11785 Entry of dogs, cats and ferrets older than 12 weeks of age The animals shall: a) bear an electronic identification system (microchip) in compliance with ISO standard 11784 and of HDX or FDX-B technology, which can be… verified 2026-07-09 Microchip · Tattoo accepted ✓ Yesclearly readable tattoo if applied before 3 July 2011 verified 2026-07-07 Microchip · Must be done before vaccination ✓ YesYour pet must have a working microchip (also called a “transponder”) before getting its rabies vaccination for travel to the EU, and your veterinarian must always scan the microchip before giving your pet a rabies… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Type approved quarantine facility Veterinary Health Certificate for Pet Birds Option 2 (3.72 MB) OPTION 3: The owner made arrangements for a 30-day post-introduction quarantine in an approved quarantine facility in the EU. verified 2026-07-24 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesIdentification of the pet birds Pet birds must have an identification number such as a clip, leg band, microchip (transponder), or tag; or If the pet birds will be moved to an approved quarantine establishment (Option 3… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Duration 30 days To use OPTION 3, the owner must: Make arrangements in advance for the pet bird to be quarantined for at least 30 days at an approved quarantine establishment upon arrival in the EU; Provide documentary evidence that such… verified 2026-07-25 Quarantine · Pre-approval required ✓ YesTo use OPTION 3, the owner must: Expand All Collapse All Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets Expand All Collapse All STEP 1: Meet the EU's Microchip and Rabies Vaccination Requirements Member States of the European Union (EU)… verified 2026-07-25 Quarantine · Reduced duration 30 days To use OPTION 3, the owner must: Make arrangements in advance for the pet bird to be quarantined for at least 30 days at an approved quarantine establishment upon arrival in the EU; Provide documentary evidence that such… verified 2026-07-24 Quarantine · Approved facility required ✓ YesIn this case howeve Expand All Collapse All Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets Expand All Collapse All STEP 1: Meet the EU's Microchip and Rabies Vaccination Requirements Member States of the European Union (EU) Austria, Belgium,… verified 2026-07-25 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required ✓ YesATTENTION: The rabies antibody titration test must be carried out before the pet animal left the 5Exception: The maximum number of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I may exceed five (5), if all the… verified 2026-07-25 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Minimum level iu ml 0.5 Rabies antigen check The rabies antibody titration test is carried out on a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and performed in an approved laboratory (Member States or third countries)… verified 2026-07-09 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required ✓ Yesbirds must have an identification number such as a clip, leg band, microchip (transponder), or tag; or If the pet birds will be moved to an approved quarantine establishment (Option 3 below), a description of the birds… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Waiting period after test days 30 days • from certain third countries after an isolation period of 30 days under official supervision • or after a 10 day isolation period and laboratory testing for avian… verified 2026-07-21 Import permit · Lead time 30 days …vaccine manufacturer prior to traveling to the port of entry. Some vaccine manufacturers recommend waiting 30 days for the pet to gain immunity. All owners or pet coordinators must ask the veterinarian to confirm the… verified 2026-07-07 Health certificate validity 21 days …vaccination table, under the header "Validity of vaccination" "from" the date entered should be at least 21 days (or applicable immunity period) after the prim verified 2026-07-25 Health certificate · Issuer official_vet your pet must have an EU animal health certificate issued by an official State vet in the country of departure not more than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU verified 2026-07-07 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesAnimal Owners/Shippers: You can arrange to have your health certificate returned by mail (a prepaid, preaddressed return label must be provided during certificate submission). verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Endorsed by APHIS View additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS endorsement of international health certificates (239.52 KB) . verified 2026-07-24 Health certificate · Validity days 5 days …You should use the "non-commercial" health certificate if you or a designated person ** is traveling within 5 days before or after your pet(s), and 5 or fewer pets are traveling. verified 2026-07-24 Health certificate · Original required ✓ Yes30, 2025 Electronic Signature ACCEPTED; Original Ink Endorsement REQUIRED For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED For APHIS VMO: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED USDA-accredited veterinarians can… verified 2026-07-24 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ YesThe "commercial" health certificate must be issued by an Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA within 48 hours of departing the U.S. with your pet. **Designated person is a family member, friend, or other… verified 2026-07-24 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesMicrochip Your pet must have a working microchip (also called a “transponder”) before getting its rabies vaccination for travel to the EU, and your veterinarian must always scan the microchip before giving your pet a… verified 2026-07-25 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ Yesr import of most species of live animals. Microchip Your pet must have a working microchip (also called a “transponder”) before getting its rabies vaccination for travel to the EU, and your veterinarian must always scan… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Booster interval 12 months Your pet must receive a booster rabies vaccination within 12 months from its primary vaccination. verified 2026-07-24 Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination 21 days …vaccination table, under the header "Validity of vaccination" "from" the date entered should be at least 21 days (or applicable immunity period) after the primary vaccination was administered. verified 2026-07-24 Rabies vaccination · Max vaccine age at travel 12 months Your pet must receive a booster rabies vaccination within 12 months from its primary vaccination. verified 2026-07-24 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 12 weeks can move within the territory of Greece ONLY if they are vaccinated against rabies and as a consequence not before the age of 12 weeks and not before 21 days after rabies vaccination verified 2026-07-24 Tapeworm treatment · Required ✗ No3. Movements from Greece to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland , Malta and Norway - Provisions of Section D-2 must be respected. - In addition, dogs traveling for non-commercial purposes and entering the territory of… verified 2026-06-25 Health certificate valid within days · Health certificate valid within days 5 days ial" Health Certificate You should use the "non-commercial" health certificate if you or a designated person ** is traveling within 5 days before or after your pet(s), and 5 or fewer pets are traveling. verified 2026-07-25 Other rules Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedThe pet animals' entry into the Greek territory is allowed if the following requirements are met: verified 2026-06-25 Cabin policy Minimum age 16 weeks If your pet is less than 16 weeks old and cannot meet the above requirements, click here . verified 2026-07-25 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesIf the pet has a valid EU Pet Passport, it may not need an export health certificate. verified 2026-07-25 Health certificate validity 5 days "Non-commercial" Health Certificate You should use the "non-commercial" health certificate if you or a designated person ** is traveling within 5 days before or after your pet(s), and 5 or fewer pets are traveling. verified 2026-07-25 Government endorsed cert required ✓ YesDoing it this way also makes it easier for the USDA endorsement office to review, which means you get your endorsed certificate back faster. verified 2026-07-25 Microchip · Required ✓ YesMicrochip Your pet must have a working microchip (also called a “transponder”) before getting its rabies vaccination for travel to the EU, and your veterinarian must always scan the microchip before giving your pet a… verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Standard ISO11784 …of another Member States shall be marked by the implantation of a transponder according to the standard ISO11784 and applying HDX or FDX-B, which can read by a reading device compatible with standard ISO 11785 or by a… verified 2026-07-09 Microchip · Tattoo accepted ✓ Yesclearly readable tattoo if applied before 3 July 2011 verified 2026-07-07 Microchip · Must be done before vaccination ✓ YesYour pet must have a working microchip (also called a “transponder”) before getting its rabies vaccination for travel to the EU, and your veterinarian must always scan the microchip before giving your pet a rabies… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Type approved quarantine establishment …number such as a clip, leg band, microchip (transponder), or tag; or If the pet birds will be moved to an approved quarantine establishment (Option 3 below), a description of the birds is sufficient. verified 2026-07-24 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesIdentification of the pet birds Pet birds must have an identification number such as a clip, leg band, microchip (transponder), or tag; or If the pet birds will be moved to an approved quarantine establishment (Option 3… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Duration 30 days To use OPTION 3, the owner must: Make arrangements in advance for the pet bird to be quarantined for at least 30 days at an approved quarantine establishment upon arrival in the EU; Provide documentary evidence that such… verified 2026-07-24 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required ✓ YesATTENTION: The rabies antibody titration test must be carried out before the pet animal left the 5Exception: The maximum number of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I may exceed five (5), if all the… verified 2026-07-25 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Minimum level iu ml 0.5 Rabies antigen check The rabies antibody titration test is carried out on a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and performed in an approved laboratory (Member States or third countries)… verified 2026-07-09 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required ✓ YesThe test must measure a level of neutralising antibody to rabies virus in serum equal to or greater than 0,5 IU/ml and must be performed in a laboratory approved in the Member 5Exception: The maximum number of pet… verified 2026-07-25 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Waiting period after test days 30 days • from certain third countries after an isolation period of 30 days under official supervision • or after a 10 day isolation period and laboratory testing for avian… verified 2026-07-21 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test must follow vaccination days 30 days Rabies antigen check The rabies antibody titration test is carried out on a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and performed in an approved laboratory ( 5Exception: The maximum number… verified 2026-06-25 Health certificate validity 21 days …vaccination table, under the header "Validity of vaccination" "from" the date entered should be at least 21 days (or applicable immunity period) after the prim verified 2026-07-25 Health certificate · Issuer official_vet your pet must have an EU animal health certificate issued by an official State vet in the country of departure not more than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU verified 2026-07-07 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesAnimal Owners/Shippers: You can arrange to have your health certificate returned by mail (a prepaid, preaddressed return label must be provided during certificate submission). verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Endorsed by USDA The "commercial" health certificate must be issued by an Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA within 48 hours of departing the U.S. with your pet. **Designated person is a family member, friend, or… verified 2026-07-24 Health certificate · Validity days 5 days …You should use the "non-commercial" health certificate if you or a designated person ** is traveling within 5 days before or after your pet(s), and 5 or fewer pets are traveling. verified 2026-07-24 Health certificate · Original required ✓ Yesd by a veterinary declaration, in accordance with the model included in the previous point D.4.b) c) pet birds (up to five animals in number maximum) must be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate, in… verified 2026-07-09 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ YesThe "commercial" health certificate must be issued by an Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA within 48 hours of departing the U.S. with your pet. **Designated person is a family member, friend, or other… verified 2026-07-24 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesMicrochip Your pet must have a working microchip (also called a “transponder”) before getting its rabies vaccination for travel to the EU, and your veterinarian must always scan the microchip before giving your pet a… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ YesRe-entry of animals coming from the EU The re-entry of EU dogs, cats and ferrets is permitted in case they are accompanied by their passport and the vaccination protocol against rabies, as required by the manufacturing… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Booster interval 3 months …within 1-year of a “primary” rabies vaccination, this “booster” rabies vaccination can be valid for 1-3 years, according to the vaccine manufacturer’s instructio verified 2026-07-24 Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination 21 days …vaccination table, under the header "Validity of vaccination" "from" the date entered should be at least 21 days (or applicable immunity period) after the primary vaccination was administered. verified 2026-07-24 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 12 weeks can move within the territory of Greece ONLY if they are vaccinated against rabies and as a consequence not before the age of 12 weeks and not before 21 days after rabies vaccination verified 2026-07-24 Tapeworm treatment · Required ✗ No3. Movements from Greece to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland , Malta and Norway - Provisions of Section D-2 must be respected. - In addition, dogs traveling for non-commercial purposes and entering the territory of… verified 2026-06-25 Other rules Pets accepted ✓ Accepted2. Entry of dogs, cats and ferrets older than 12 weeks of age The animals shall: a) bear an electronic identification system (microchip) in compliance with ISO standard 11784 verified 2026-06-25
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -5 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs
Order matters for the microchip. It must be implanted and readable before the rabies vaccination is given; a shot recorded before a working chip does not count for Greek entry. Have the veterinarian scan the chip and confirm it reads at the same visit as the vaccine. Book the chip appointment first, then schedule rabies afterward, never the reverse.
Greece applies no breed ban for dogs or cats. Entry is not blocked on the basis of a specific breed, so paperwork requirements stay identical across breeds. Prepare the same microchip, rabies, and health certificate documents regardless of breed. Skip any search for breed-specific exemptions or bans; focus effort entirely on completing the standard entry documentation on time.
Frequently asked
Does my pet need a microchip for Greece? Yes. Greece requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid. How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for Greece? The rabies vaccine must take effect at least 21 days before entry, and can be given from 12 weeks of age. Travelling before that window makes the vaccination invalid at the border. What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity? If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays. What happens if I forget a document? At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
The import permit carries a 30-day lead time. Requesting it days before departure leaves no room for processing. Submit the permit application at least 30 days ahead of the travel date. Mark that 30-day point on the calendar the moment travel dates are fixed, and gather microchip and rabies records early so the permit request is not delayed.
Greece rewards travelers who respect the timeline: chip, then rabies, then certificate, with the permit lodged a month out. Pixel and I have run this exact route, and the calm at the border comes entirely from front-loading the paperwork. Build your dates into a personalized plan so nothing slips. Try Pawgo's plan-builder with your real departure day and destination, and let it map every deadline to your trip.
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
