KR
South Korea
✈️
GR
Greece
Pet Transport South Korea to Greece: APQA Export and EU Entry Process
20-24 weeks
Typical preparation
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from South Korea 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.
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Overview
If you are relocating a pet from South Korea to Greece, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Give yourself close to 20-24 weeks so none of the fixed waiting periods catch you out. Compliant pets are not held in quarantine on arrival.
This route requires a rabies titre test with a set waiting period, so do not leave it late. Use the timeline below to plan backwards from your travel date.
Step by step
The South Korea to Greece process
1
Immediately. Must precede the rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip
Responsible: Vet
2
After microchip. Allow at least 21 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
3
At least 21 days after vaccination. Submit to an EU-approved laboratory.
FAVN titre test blood draw
Responsible: EU-approved laboratory
4
From the date of the blood draw that confirmed 0.5 IU/ml or above. Cannot be shortened.
90-day waiting period
Responsible: Owner to track
5
During the 90-day wait period. Apply to APQA and arrange veterinary inspection.
APQA export health certificate
Responsible: APQA
6
Within 10 days before entry into Greece.
EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
Responsible: Authorised vet
7
On travel day at ICN.
APQA departure inspection and clearance
Responsible: APQA, airline cargo
Checklist
Greece: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard, 15-digit non-encrypted. Must precede the rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Administered after microchip. At least 21 days must pass before the titre test blood draw. |
| Rabies titre test | Required. FAVN rabies antibody titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. South Korea is an unlisted third country under EU Regulation 2016/429. A 90-day waiting period runs from the blood draw date. |
| Quarantine | None for compliant pets arriving at an approved EU entry point with correct documentation. |
| Import permit | Not required. The EU Animal Health Certificate is the travel document. |
| Health certificate | EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an authorised vet within 10 days before arrival in Greece. |
Leaving South Korea
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) export health certificate. Issued after veterinary inspection at APQA. Required before departure. |
| Health certificate | Issued by an accredited veterinarian. Must document microchip number, rabies vaccination, and full vaccination history. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory: KRW 80,000 to KRW 150,000 (approximately £45 to £85) |
| 2 | APQA export health certificate: KRW 10,000 to KRW 30,000 |
| 3 | Vaccinations and vet consultation: KRW 50,000 to KRW 120,000 |
| 4 | IATA-compliant travel crate: KRW 80,000 to KRW 300,000 depending on size |
| 5 | Cargo airline fees (ICN to ATH): KRW 400,000 to KRW 1,200,000 |
| 6 | EU Animal Health Certificate: KRW 30,000 to KRW 80,000 |
| 7 | Pet transport agent fee: KRW 300,000 to KRW 800,000 |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ South Korea is unlisted for EU pet travel. The FAVN titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory, regardless of vaccination status. Do not book travel before the 90 days are complete.
⚠ Note the distinction between Korea's own QIAS process (for pets entering Korea) and the EU-specific FAVN requirement (for pets leaving Korea for EU). These are separate obligations.
⚠ The APQA export certificate and the EU AHC are two different documents. Both are required.
⚠ The EU AHC must be issued within 10 days before entry into Greece. Check expiry carefully when booking cargo flights.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Korean Air Cargo
Incheon (ICN) to Athens (ATH) via Seoul hub. Korean Air accepts pets as cargo. Book through Korean Air Cargo directly.
Asiana Airlines Cargo
ICN to ATH via connecting European hub. Asiana Cargo accepts pets as manifest cargo.
Qatar Airways Cargo
ICN via Doha (DOH) to ATH. Qatar Airways Cargo accepts pets. One connection at Doha.
Greece import rules, explained
Greece keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.
Practical tips for this move
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.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
FAQ
Common questions
Yes, provided the EU import protocol is followed correctly. Greece does not impose quarantine on pets from South Korea if the pet has an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, a FAVN titre test result of 0.5 IU/ml or above, a completed 90-day waiting period from the blood draw date, and an EU Animal Health Certificate issued within 10 days before arrival. Missing any one of these will cause problems at the border.
The FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation) test measures the level of rabies neutralising antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be performed at an EU-approved laboratory. Several accredited laboratories in South Korea are approved for this test. Your vet can advise on the current approved list, or check the European Commission’s designated laboratory list. Results typically take 5 to 10 business days.
No. The 90-day wait is a mandatory requirement under EU Regulation 2016/429 for pets from unlisted third countries, which includes South Korea. It runs from the blood draw date of the titre test that confirmed the 0.5 IU/ml or above result. There is no waiver or exception for this period.
The APQA export health certificate has a short validity period, typically around 10 days from issue. Co-ordinate the APQA certificate issue date with your cargo booking and the EU Animal Health Certificate to ensure all documents are valid on arrival in Greece.
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