Moving your pet from Switzerland to Greece?

The Switzerland–Greece route requires quarantine on arrival, so planning well ahead matters. In plain terms, this is a very_low route, meaning the requirements are relatively straightforward compared to many international moves.

Most owners start the process around 1-4 weeks before the flight date. That window is not arbitrary — it accounts for vaccination waiting periods, titre test processing, and document endorsement.

Here is how the preparation unfolds from start to travel day:

Costs vary considerably depending on your pet's size, the airline, and whether you use a pet relocation agent. The main factors to price up are:

• Cabin pet fee (approximately CHF 50-90)
• Cargo fee for larger pets (CHF 150-400)
• IATA-approved carrier

Microchip: Required (ISO 11784/11785).

Rabies vaccination: Required. 21-day wait after primary vaccination. Swiss pet passport records accepted.

Titre test: Not required for Switzerland-origin pets.

Health certificate: Swiss pet passport accepted. Greek MINAGRIC (Ministry of Rural Development and Food) governs compliance.

Import permit: Not required.

Quarantine: No quarantine.

Export permit: {'required': False}

Export health certificate: Swiss pet passport or FSVO-format certificate accepted by Greece under EU-Swiss bilateral agreement.

Several airlines serve routes between Switzerland and Greece, each with different policies on pets in cabin versus cargo hold:

A valid Swiss pet passport is accepted in Greece. The passport must record your pet’s microchip number and a valid rabies vaccination. The 21-day wait after any primary vaccination applies.

There is no titre test, no quarantine, and no import permit required. Greece’s MINAGRIC (Ministry of Rural Development and Food) manages pet imports and applies EU-aligned standards to Switzerland-origin animals.

At Athens airport, a border official may inspect the passport. This is a routine check and typically takes a few minutes.

Both SWISS and Aegean Airlines offer Zurich to Athens service. SWISS operates from its Zurich base and accepts small pets in cabin. Aegean is Greece’s main carrier, with staff at Athens Airport familiar with MINAGRIC requirements.

For a small pet in cabin (under 8kg including carrier), either airline is a good choice. Check both schedules and compare the cabin pet fee (typically CHF 50-90).

For a larger dog, cargo is required. SWISS Cargo and Aegean’s cargo division both handle pet transport on this route. The Zurich to Athens flight is approximately 2.5 hours – a manageable journey for cargo.

Technically yes – many pet owners drive through France and Italy to take the ferry from Venice, Ancona, or Bari to Greece. For this route, your Swiss pet passport is also accepted at the ferry port. The border check is the same.

The overland ferry route is popular for owners with large dogs who cannot fly in cabin. Budget 2-3 days for the drive plus 12-24 hours on the ferry. Your pet can accompany you in the vehicle on most Greek ferry routes.

• Pet Transport Greece to Switzerland