Italy and Greece are both EU members, so this route has a simple regulatory picture. Your pet needs an EU Pet Passport with a current rabies vaccination and a readable ISO microchip. No import permits, no quarantine, no embassy visits.
The practical challenge is getting a cabin pet space. Direct flights between Italy and Greece are popular and cabin pet slots are limited per aircraft. Aegean Airlines and ITA Airways are the main carriers worth looking at first.
Plan four to six weeks ahead to allow for any vaccination updates and to lock in your airline booking.
Documents Required for This Route
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport only. Greece enforces EU Regulation 2019/2035 for companion animal arrivals from EU member states. |
| Microchip record | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in EU Pet Passport. |
| Rabies vaccination record | Required and current. Recorded in EU Pet Passport. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required for intra-EU travel. |
| Import permit | Not required. |
| Export permit (Italy) | {'required': False} |
| Export health certificate | EU Pet Passport covers this intra-EU movement. Issued by an authorised vet under the Italian Ministry of Health. |
How the Process Works
Greece: 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. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required for intra-EU travel. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine for EU to EU movement with valid documents. |
| Import permit | Not required. |
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport only. Greece enforces EU Regulation 2019/2035 for companion animal arrivals from EU member states. |
Leaving Italy: Export Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | {'required': False} |
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport covers this intra-EU movement. Issued by an authorised vet under the Italian Ministry of Health. |
What This Route Typically Costs
| # | Cost factor |
|---|---|
| 1 | Airline cabin pet fee (typically 30-60 EUR on European routes) |
| 2 | Soft-sided IATA-compliant carrier for cabin travel |
| 3 | Veterinary fee if passport update is required |
Critical Points — Read Before You Book
What Greece requires for EU pet arrivals
Greece enforces EU Regulation 2019/2035 for companion animals arriving from other EU states. Your pet needs a valid EU Pet Passport recording a compliant microchip and a current rabies vaccination.
The Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food oversees animal health controls. For standard EU-to-EU movement, the border process is routine. Keep the EU Pet Passport accessible throughout the journey.
EU Pet Passport in Italy
Your EU Pet Passport must be issued by a vet authorised by the Italian Ministry of Health. Private vets with government registration can issue these. If your pet’s passport was issued in another EU country, it remains valid.
The rabies vaccination must be within its validity period. The first vaccination is valid from 21 days after it is given. Annual boosters keep it current. If you have missed a booster, the 21-day wait restarts after revaccination.
Choosing a carrier for Italy to Greece
ITA Airways (the national Italian carrier) flies direct to Athens and Thessaloniki from Rome and Milan, and accepts cabin pets up to 10kg including carrier. Aegean Airlines flies in the other direction and is also reliable for cabin pets.
Ryanair and easyJet both operate heavily on this route but neither accepts pets. Check your specific carrier carefully before booking.
For larger dogs that cannot fly in cabin, cargo via Lufthansa Cargo or KLM Cargo with European connections is an option. However, the regulatory simplicity of this route is best exploited with cabin travel where size permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Routes to Consider
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