Planning a pet relocation from Georgia to Greece is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Allow around 20-26 weeks and follow the steps in order to stay on track. …
Rabies vaccinationRequired. Minimum age 12 weeks. 21-day …
Rabies titre testRequired. Georgia is not on the EU's …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine for compliant …
Import permitNot required for non-commercial …
Health certificateEU-format Animal Health Certificate, …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Georgia to Greece
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Before the rabies vaccination
Microchip implantation
Responsible: NFA-authorised veterinarian in Georgia
2
After microchipping. Minimum age 12 weeks.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: NFA-authorised veterinarian
3
At least 30 days after vaccination, sample to an EU-approved laboratory
Blood draw for FAVN or ELISA titre test
Responsible: Vet and approved laboratory
4
Counts from the draw date, not the result date
90-day wait from the blood draw date
Responsible: Owner
5
Within 10 days of travel
EU-format health certificate, NFA endorsement
Responsible: NFA-authorised vet, endorsed by NFA
6
After the 90-day wait has fully elapsed
Travel Tbilisi to Athens via Istanbul
Responsible: Owner and airline cargo handling
Checklist
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785, before the first rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age 12 weeks. 21-day wait before the titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre test
Required. Georgia is not on the EU's approved list under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636. FAVN or ELISA titre test at an approved laboratory, minimum 0.5 IU/ml, drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, then a fixed 90-day wait. Source: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals.
Import permit
Not required for non-commercial companion pet movements.
Health certificate
EU-format Animal Health Certificate, NFA-endorsed, issued within 10 days of entry into Greece.
Export permit
No formal export permit required for companion cats and dogs leaving Georgia.
Health certificate
Official export Animal Health Certificate from an NFA-authorised vet, endorsed by the National Food Agency (NFA). Reformatted to EU standard for Greece. Issued within 10 days of travel.
"
We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Georgia to Greece move gets missed.
Pet Transport Global
Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
Turkish Airlines
Tbilisi (TBS) to Istanbul (IST), then a short regional hop on to Athens (ATH). The most established routing for Georgian pets heading into Greece.
Cargo Only
Aegean Airlines
Connects Istanbul-fed arrivals into Athens on Aegean's own network, an alternative worth comparing if Turkish Airlines' schedule doesn't fit.
Cabin and Cargo
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory: EUR 100-200
Cargo fee, Tbilisi to Athens via Istanbul: EUR 500-1,300 depending on crate size
NFA export certificate and endorsement fees
IATA-approved travel crate: EUR 60-250
Total typical range: EUR 900-2,300 over 5-7 months
Critical points
The 90-day wait counts from the blood draw date, not the day the result arrives.
Microchip has to precede the rabies vaccination. A reversed order restarts the entire sequence.
The EU-format certificate is valid only 10 days. Time the NFA endorsement to land close to the actual Athens arrival, allowing for the Istanbul connection.
How Greece handles incoming pets
Greece has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.
What experienced owners do
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
FAQ
Common questions
Yes. Georgia is not on the EU’s approved list, so the full unlisted-country sequence applies: a titre test at an EU-approved laboratory and a 90-day wait from the blood draw date.
Via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines is the established routing, with a short regional hop completing the journey to Athens. Aegean Airlines offers an alternative connection.
The National Food Agency (NFA), which authorises the vet issuing the health certificate and then endorses it before departure.
20 to 26 weeks. The titre test sequence alone takes at least 120 days, with NFA endorsement adding further time.
Ready when you are
Move your pet
to Greece.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. Preparation timeline, full cost breakdown, and breed specific advice. No commitment.