Pet Transport from Greece to India

Pets leaving Greece for India have the EU paperwork system in their favour – an EU pet passport is a well-recognised, widely accepted document. What this route cannot avoid, however, is India’s mandatory 30-day quarantine on arrival. All pets entering India from any country spend a month in an AQCS-supervised facility, and the owner covers the costs. This is simply the reality of importing a pet into India.

The preparation timeline is 10-14 weeks, which includes the import permit application, vaccination checks, documentation, and the quarantine stay itself. Greece’s export process is comparatively simple. The complexity on this route comes almost entirely from the Indian side.

Step-by-Step Process

India Import Requirements

What India requires for pets entering the country.

Exporting from Greece

What you need from Greece before your pet can leave.

Cost Factors

Costs vary depending on pet size, transport method, and whether you use a transport agent.

• Airline cargo or cabin fees
• IATA-compliant travel crate
• India AQCS import permit fee
• India 30-day quarantine facility fees (owner pays)
• Official health certificate fee (Greece)
• Pet transport agent fee if used

Important Warnings

India's quarantine system and what it means for your pet

India requires a 30-day quarantine for all incoming pets, enforced by AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The quarantine takes place at an AQCS-approved facility near your entry airport. Your pet is supervised by veterinary staff throughout.

AQCS operates quarantine centres at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. Contact the AQCS at your destination city well in advance to confirm your arrival date, reserve a space, and understand the fee structure. Arriving without a reservation can cause delays and significant distress.

The 30 days begin on the day of arrival. You can visit your pet during the quarantine period; confirm visiting hours with the facility.

India import permit: apply before you fly

All pets entering India require an import permit issued by AQCS or the State Animal Husbandry Department. This permit must be in your possession before your pet boards the flight.

The application process takes 3-6 weeks in most cases. Apply at least 6-8 weeks before your planned departure. The application requires your pet’s microchip details, vaccination history, and the proposed port of entry. AQCS processes permits for Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.

Do not book flights until the import permit is confirmed. Arriving without it will prevent entry.

Greece export process and the EU pet passport

For pets registered in Greece, the EU pet passport is the standard travel document. It records the microchip number, rabies vaccination dates, and veterinary details in a standardised format accepted at international borders. India recognises the EU pet passport as an official health document.

If your pet is visiting Greece but is not registered in the Greek veterinary system (for example, you are passing through or temporarily based in Greece), a government-authorised official veterinarian can issue a formal health certificate instead.

Before departure, confirm that the rabies vaccination in the EU passport was given at least 30 days before the India entry date. EU rules require 21 days; India requires 30. If your most recent booster is too recent, a new vaccination date will need to be established.