Traveling with Pets to Greece — Rules, Vaccines & Tips
By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-10
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Traveling with your dog or cat to Greece is a breeze if you nail the paperwork. As someone who’s hauled dogs across 30+ countries, I’ll cut the fluff and give you the exact steps for Greece. No exceptions, no guesswork.
1. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Greece only accepts the EU Pet Passport (not a health certificate). You cannot skip this. The passport must be issued by your vet in your home country before you travel. Start the process at least 3 weeks before your trip—some vets need time to fill it out and get signatures. If you’re flying from a non-EU country, you’ll need to get a USDA APHIS Form 7001 (for US travelers) or equivalent from your country’s vet authority before the EU passport can be stamped. Don’t wait until the last minute; delays happen.
2. VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
Here’s the non-negotiables:
- Rabies vaccine: Must be administered at least 21 days before travel. If you give it on Monday, you can’t fly until the following Tuesday. The vaccine must be recorded in the EU Pet Passport.
- Microchip: Must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant. This is the tiny chip under the skin. If you don’t have one, get it done before the rabies shot. No chip = denied entry.
- Tapeworm treatment: Required for dogs (not cats) 24–48 hours before arrival. You need a vet’s certificate stating you used praziquantel (the only approved drug). Do this in your home country before you leave—Greece won’t give it to you on arrival. Skip this, and your dog gets sent back.
3. AIRLINES
Only certain airlines fly pets to Greece. Here’s the real deal:
- Aegean Airlines: Accepts pets in cabin (max 8kg including carrier) or cargo (max 32kg). Cabin fee: €50–€150 (book online early). Cargo fee: €150–€300. No exceptions on size—your dog can’t be in the cabin if it’s over 8kg. They require the EU Pet Passport and tapeworm certificate 24 hours before check-in.
- Olympic Air: Similar rules to Aegean. Cabin: €60–€120. Cargo: €180–€350. They’re strict on the 21-day rabies window—no exceptions.
- Other airlines (e.g., Lufthansa, KLM): Only accept pets in cargo. Cargo fees: €200–€400. They’ll need the EU Pet Passport and tapeworm certificate before you board. Don’t assume they’ll accept your pet—call them first.
Never try to sneak a dog in as carry-on on budget airlines—they’ll deny you. And forget trying to fly with a cat in the cabin unless it’s under 8kg and the airline explicitly allows it (Aegean and Olympic do for cats too).
4. AT THE BORDER
At Athens (ATH), Thessaloniki (SKG), or any port like Piraeus:
- Customs officers will check your EU Pet Passport, microchip number, rabies certificate, and tapeworm certificate (for dogs).
- If any document is missing or invalid (e.g., rabies shot under 21 days old), your pet gets sent back to the airport. No second chances.
- No quarantine is required for EU citizens with a valid passport. Non-EU travelers must have the EU passport before arrival (see section 7).
Pro tip: Have printed copies of all documents. They’ll want to see them, not just the passport. Bring the original tapeworm certificate—no digital copies accepted.
5. IN-COUNTRY TIPS
Greece is dog-friendly, but with rules:
- Restaurants/Cafes: Terraces? Absolutely. Most places on islands like Mykonos or Santorini allow leashed dogs on outdoor seating. Indoor? Only if they’re a "dog cafe" (rare). Check first—some places say "no dogs" on the door.
- Public Transport: Buses in cities like Athens (KTEL) let leashed dogs on board. Trains (OSE) don’t allow pets except in designated cargo cars (call ahead). Taxis? Most will take dogs if they’re leashed—ask first.
- Leash Laws: Mandatory in cities like Athens and Thessaloniki. Unleashed dogs get fined. On beaches? Only in designated dog areas (e.g., near Mykonos’ Psarou Beach). Otherwise, dogs must be leashed everywhere.
- Pet-Friendly Beaches/Parks: Mykonos has several dog-friendly beaches (e.g., Paralia, Agios Ioannis). In Athens, Faliro Beach is dog-friendly. For parks, try Lycabettus Hill (leashed only) or the Athens Zoo park (no dogs). Avoid beaches labeled "no pets" on signs—enforcement is strict.
6. VET & EMERGENCY
Getting help is easy: