In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Mexico to Greece
typically takes around 20-24 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.
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.
Sorry, your enquiry could not be sent. Please try again or email us directly.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged.
How we source our data →
Overview
Bringing your dog or cat from Mexico to Greece takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Plan on roughly 20-24 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.
A rabies titre test is part of the process, and its waiting period drives the whole timeline. Map your dates against the steps below and you will stay on track.
Step by step
The Mexico to Greece process
1
Before rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip
Responsible: Vet
2
After microchip. Allow 21 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
3
Blood draw at least 21 days after vaccination. EU-approved laboratory.
FAVN titre test
Responsible: EU-approved laboratory
4
From confirmed blood draw date (0.5 IU/ml or above).
90-day waiting period
Responsible: Owner to track
5
During 90-day wait. Coordinate with SENASICA-registered vet.
SENASICA zoosanitary certificate preparation
Responsible: SENASICA vet
6
Within 10 days before arrival in Greece.
EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
Responsible: Authorised vet
7
On travel day.
SENASICA inspection at departure airport OISA
Responsible: SENASICA, airline cargo
Checklist
Greece: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit non-encrypted. Before rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. After microchip. At least 21 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre test
Required. FAVN rabies antibody titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Mexico is an unlisted third country under EU Regulation 2016/429. 90-day waiting period from blood draw date.
Quarantine
None for compliant pets. No quarantine on arrival in Greece.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued within 10 days before arrival in Greece.
SENASICA (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria) zoosanitary certificate. Required for export. Issued after veterinary inspection at the departure airport OISA (Agricultural Health Inspection Office).
Health certificate
Zoosanitary health certificate issued by a SENASICA-registered veterinarian. Documents microchip number, rabies vaccination, parasite treatment and health status.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory: MXN 2,000 to MXN 5,000 (approximately £75 to £185)
2
SENASICA certificate preparation and inspection fee
3
Rabies vaccination and vet consultation: MXN 500 to MXN 1,500
4
Parasite treatment as required by SENASICA: MXN 200 to MXN 600
5
IATA-compliant travel crate: MXN 1,500 to MXN 6,000
6
Cargo airline fees (MEX to ATH): MXN 15,000 to MXN 45,000
7
EU Animal Health Certificate: MXN 1,500 to MXN 4,000
8
Pet transport agent fee: MXN 8,000 to MXN 20,000
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Mexico is an unlisted third country for EU pet travel. The FAVN titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory regardless of previous vaccinations.
⚠ SENASICA requires a physical inspection at the airport OISA before departure. Arrive at the cargo terminal well before the flight.
⚠ Athens is not a hub airport for direct Mexico connections. All cargo routes connect through a European hub. Ensure the connecting carrier also accepts live animals.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Aeromexico Cargo
Mexico City (MEX) to Madrid (MAD) with connecting cargo to Athens (ATH). Aeromexico Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
MEX via Frankfurt (FRA) to ATH. Lufthansa Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
Iberia Cargo
MEX to Madrid (MAD) then connecting cargo to ATH. Iberia accepts pets on cargo.
Cargo Only
KLM Cargo
MEX via Amsterdam (AMS) to ATH. KLM Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
Greece entry requirements at a glance
The path into Greece is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Getting the details right
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
SENASICA requires a current rabies vaccination and parasite treatment (internal and external) recorded in the health certificate. For dogs, other core vaccinations (distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis) are good practice and may be reviewed by inspectors. For Greece, the EU AHC records rabies vaccination specifically, so ensure the rabies certificate is complete and current.
Your vet in Mexico draws blood, which is sent to an EU-approved laboratory (several US-based labs are approved and commonly used for Mexican samples). The laboratory analyses the sample and reports the rabies neutralising antibody level. If the result is 0.5 IU/ml or above, the 90-day wait to Greece starts from that blood draw date. If the result is below 0.5 IU/ml, the vaccination programme needs to be reviewed and the test repeated.
The journey from Mexico to Greece involves at least one connecting flight, and on the transatlantic leg most carriers only accept small pets in cabin at their discretion, with policies varying by airline and route. On connections to Athens, cabin pet policies depend on the carrier. For certainty and for larger pets, cargo is the standard route for Mexico to Greece. Check each carrier’s current pet policy at the time of booking.
Madrid via Aeromexico or Iberia is a natural routing due to the Mexico-Spain airline relationship. Frankfurt via Lufthansa and Amsterdam via KLM are reliable alternatives. All three hubs have direct cargo connections to Athens. The best choice depends on your pet’s crate size, the airline’s current space availability, and transit time preferences.
Airline guides
Aeromexico Cargo
Lufthansa Cargo
Iberia Cargo
KLM Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.