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Pet Transport Greece to Kazakhstan: 2026 Guide

Getting a pet from Greece to Kazakhstan is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. Give yourself close to 8-12 weeks so none of the fixed waiting periods catch you out. Start with …

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8-12
Weeks lead time needed
Start this early minimum
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Quarantine on arrival
Medium
Route complexity
2
Airlines on this route
Lead time needed
8-12 weeks
Quarantine
Check guide
Route complexity
Medium
Airlines
2 carriers on this route
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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Greece to Kazakhstan typically takes around 8-12 weeks.
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Step by step

The Greece to Kazakhstan import process

01
10-12 weeks before travel. Kazakhstan's permit process can take longer than some Central Asia destinations.
Apply for KVCS import permit from Kazakhstan

Responsible: Owner or agent

02
Ahead of the health certificate appointment
Confirm microchip and current rabies vaccination, ideally within the past 12 months

Responsible: Greek vet

03
Within 10 days of travel
EU export health certificate issued and endorsed

Responsible: Greek vet, then Directorate General of Veterinary Services

04
6-8 weeks before travel
Book cargo, Athens to Almaty or Astana via Istanbul

Responsible: Owner or agent

05
ATH to ALA or NQZ via IST typically 9-13 hours total
Travel day: KVCS customs inspection on arrival

Responsible: Airline cargo, then KVCS inspection on arrival

Requirements

Kazakhstan entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip
Microchip required. ISO 11784/11785 standard.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. Some requirements specify validity within the past 12 months.
Quarantine
Brief customs inspection; no routine quarantine for compliant arrivals.
Import permit
Required from the Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision (KVCS), Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan.
Health certificate
EU export health certificate from Greece, endorsed by the Directorate General of Veterinary Services.
Leaving Greece

Export requirements

Export permit
No formal export permit required for companion pets leaving Greece.
Health certificate
EU export health certificate issued by an official vet and endorsed by the Directorate General of Veterinary Services, adapted for Kazakhstan's requirements. Issued within 10 days of travel.
Costs

What this route typically costs

Greek vet examination and certificate endorsement: EUR 60-150
KVCS import permit fee: confirm with Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture
Cargo ATH to ALA or NQZ via Istanbul: EUR 700-1,900 depending on pet size and routing
IATA-approved travel crate: EUR 70-300
Pet transport agent, recommended for Central Asia routes: EUR 400-1,000
Total typical range: EUR 1,300-3,400 over 8-12 weeks

Critical points

The KVCS import permit is mandatory and must be obtained before travel. Start this process at least 10-12 weeks in advance and follow up regularly, since KVCS does not have the same online responsiveness as some other veterinary authorities.

Rabies vaccination validity is checked. Some KVCS requirements specify the vaccination must be within the past 12 months. Confirm current requirements before travel.

Kazakhstan has two main international airports. Confirm the correct arrival point, Almaty for ALA or Astana for NQZ, based on your final destination.

This is the longest and most administratively demanding of the Greece corridors covered here. Build extra buffer time into the schedule accordingly.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

AirlineNotesType
Turkish AirlinesAthens (ATH) to Istanbul (IST), then IST to Almaty (ALA) or Astana (NQZ). Turkish Airlines is the dominant carrier on this corridor and connects easily from Athens.Cargo Only
Air AstanaKazakhstan's national carrier serves several European hubs with onward connections toward Almaty. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance directly with Air Astana before booking, since published policy is not consistently detailed.Cargo Only

Kazakhstan import rules, explained

Kazakhstan 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.

Practical tips for this move

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.

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No titre test is currently required for standard pet imports from Greece to Kazakhstan. The requirements are a KVCS import permit, current rabies vaccination (within 12 months where specified), ISO microchip, and an adapted EU export health certificate.
Choose based on your final destination in Kazakhstan. Almaty (ALA) is the commercial centre in the south; Astana (NQZ) is the capital in the north. Confirm the correct airport with your KVCS application before booking flights.
Allow at least 10-12 weeks. KVCS processing can take longer than comparable authorities in Armenia or Georgia, so start this step first and follow up regularly.
Via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, total transit typically runs 9-13 hours depending on whether the destination is Almaty or Astana.
Airline guides
  • Turkish Airlines
  • Air Astana
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