Greece to the Netherlands is a straightforward EU-to-EU route. Your pet travels on an EU Pet Passport, no import permit is needed, and there is no quarantine requirement on arrival in Amsterdam.
The preparation mostly comes down to checking your vaccinations are current and booking airline cabin space before it sells out. For larger dogs travelling as cargo, the process adds a step but the regulatory side stays simple.
Allow four to six weeks, less if your pet’s documents are already fully up to date.
Documents Required for This Route
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport only. Netherlands NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) enforces EU companion animal rules. |
| Microchip record | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in EU Pet Passport. |
| Rabies vaccination record | Required and current. Recorded in EU Pet Passport. Valid from 21 days after first vaccination. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required for intra-EU movement from Greece. |
| Import permit | Not required. Intra-EU movement governed by EU Regulation 2019/2035. |
| Export permit (Greece) | {'required': False} |
| Export health certificate | EU Pet Passport serves as the travel document for intra-EU movement. Issued by an authorised vet under the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food. |
How the Process Works
Netherlands: Entry Requirements for Pets
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in EU Pet Passport. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required and current. Recorded in EU Pet Passport. Valid from 21 days after first vaccination. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required for intra-EU movement from Greece. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine for compliant EU to EU movement. |
| Import permit | Not required. Intra-EU movement governed by EU Regulation 2019/2035. |
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport only. Netherlands NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) enforces EU companion animal rules. |
Leaving Greece: Export Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | {'required': False} |
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport serves as the travel document for intra-EU movement. Issued by an authorised vet under the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food. |
What This Route Typically Costs
| # | Cost factor |
|---|---|
| 1 | Airline cabin pet fee (varies by carrier, typically 30-60 EUR) |
| 2 | Soft-sided IATA-compliant carrier for cabin travel |
| 3 | Veterinary fee if vaccination booster is needed |
Critical Points — Read Before You Book
What the Netherlands requires on arrival
The Netherlands follows EU Regulation 2019/2035 for companion animals entering from other EU countries. This means your pet needs: a valid ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination recorded in the EU Pet Passport, and no quarantine applies.
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) enforces these rules. In practice, checks are often carried out at Amsterdam Schiphol’s animal health checkpoint on international arrivals. Have the passport ready to present.
EU Pet Passport: keeping it valid
The EU Pet Passport is a standardised document issued across all EU member states. It records microchip details, vaccination history, and any health treatments.
Only government-authorised vets can issue or update these. In Greece, this means vets registered with the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
The key thing to check is whether your rabies vaccination is still within its valid period. If it has lapsed, revaccination restarts the 21-day clock before travel is allowed again.
Airlines flying Greece to the Netherlands
KLM is the main option, flying direct Athens-Amsterdam with a good cabin pet policy for small dogs and cats. Book the pet space at the time you book your ticket.
Transavia (a KLM subsidiary) also operates on this route and accepts cabin pets on selected departures. Aegean Airlines flies to Amsterdam with cabin pet acceptance.
Budget carriers such as Ryanair do not accept pets. Vueling may route via Barcelona and is worth checking for flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Routes to Consider
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