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Pet Transport USA to Greece: The 2026 Process Guide

If you are relocating a pet from United States to Greece, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Give yourself roughly 2-4 weeks, though this route carries fewer …

2-4 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Low
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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Lead time needed
2-4 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Low
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
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What's required
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required, …
Rabies vaccinationValid and current rabies vaccination …
Rabies titre testNot required. The USA is a listed third …
QuarantineNo quarantine for dogs and cats from the …
Import permitNo import permit required for personal …
Health certificateEU Annex IV health certificate, …
In short: Preparing to move a pet from United States to Greece typically takes around 2-4 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
Early in planning.
Verify microchip is ISO-compliant and was implanted before the first rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Your vet

2
Several weeks before the health certificate appointment.
Confirm rabies vaccination is current. Schedule a booster if needed.

Responsible: Your vet

3
Within 10 days of arrival in Greece.
Book a USDA-accredited vet for the EU Annex IV health certificate.

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

4
Immediately after the vet appointment.
Submit to USDA APHIS for endorsement. Allow two to five business days.

Responsible: USDA APHIS

5
At the time of booking, several weeks before travel.
Check seasonal airline restrictions for your travel dates, particularly if travelling between June and September or if your dog is a flat-faced breed.

Responsible: You (with airline)

6
Travel day.
Travel to Athens. Pets clear the Veterinary Border Inspection Post at Athens International Airport (ATH) on arrival.

Responsible: You and airline

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required, implanted before first rabies vaccination. Source: European Commission Regulation (EU) 576/2013.
Rabies vaccination
Valid and current rabies vaccination required. First vaccination must be given at 12 weeks of age or older.
Rabies titre test
Not required. The USA is a listed third country under EU pet travel rules. Source: European Commission, food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets_en.
Quarantine
No quarantine for dogs and cats from the USA arriving in Greece with correct documentation.
Import permit
No import permit required for personal pets entering Greece from the USA.
Health certificate
EU Annex IV health certificate, USDA-endorsed, dated within 10 days of arrival.
Export permit
No US export permit needed for personal pets. The USDA-endorsed health certificate covers export.
Health certificate
USDA-accredited veterinarian completes the EU Annex IV health certificate, which is then endorsed by USDA APHIS. The endorsed certificate must be dated within 10 days of the pet's scheduled arrival in Greece. Source: USDA APHIS, aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel.
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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines connects from major US cities to Athens International Airport (ATH) via code-share or connecting routings. Pets travel as manifested cargo. Aegean applies seasonal heat restrictions during Greek summer months (June to September). Brachycephalic breeds face additional restrictions and may not be accepted in the heat of summer.
Cargo Only
Delta Air Lines
Delta has seasonal direct services from New York (JFK) to Athens (ATH). Delta Cargo accepts pets on transatlantic routes. Summer heat embargoes apply to flat-faced breeds on routes with high ground temperatures at the destination.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
Via Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC) with onward connection to Athens. Broad US gateway coverage. Brachycephalic restrictions apply. Summer heat at ATH can trigger seasonal embargoes for heat-sensitive breeds.
Cargo Only
United Airlines
United Cargo from EWR and other US gateways via European hubs to Athens. Confirm pet cargo availability for the complete routing.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

USDA-accredited vet health certificate: USD 100 to USD 300
USDA APHIS endorsement: USD 38
International pet cargo (USA to Athens): USD 650 to USD 1,900
IATA-compliant crate: USD 80 to USD 350 if needed
Total typical range: USD 870 to USD 2,600

Critical points

Summer heat in Athens can trigger airline heat embargoes on pet cargo, particularly for brachycephalic breeds. If you are travelling between June and September, confirm current heat embargo status with your airline before booking. This applies even if your pet is not flat-faced, as tarmac temperatures at ATH can be extreme.

Greece includes many islands. If your final destination is a Greek island (Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, etc.), your pet will need to travel onward from Athens by ferry or domestic flight. Domestic Greek carriers and ferry operators have their own rules for pets in transit. Plan the onward leg carefully.

Some Greek municipalities and regions have breed restrictions. Check local regulations if you have a breed that may be subject to muzzle or lead requirements.

Greece has historically had a stray animal population issue, and vets in Greece are experienced with pet health matters. Finding a local vet after arrival is generally straightforward.

Greece import rules, explained

Greece keeps its import requirements relatively light, which makes preparing easier. Even so, the basics still need to be right and in the correct order.

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

No. Greece is an EU member state, and the USA is on the EU’s list of approved third countries. Dogs and cats from the USA do not need a rabies antibody titre test to enter Greece. You need a valid ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination, and a USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate in EU Annex IV format.
Yes. Airlines typically apply heat embargoes when ground temperatures at the destination airport exceed certain thresholds, often 29 to 30 degrees Celsius. Athens in July and August regularly exceeds these thresholds. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds face stricter restrictions and may be refused entirely in summer. Confirm with your airline before booking, and consider travelling in May, June, September, or October to reduce the risk of restrictions.
Yes, but you’ll need to plan a second leg of travel from Athens. Domestic flights (Olympic Air, Sky Express) allow small pets in cabin on some routes. Larger dogs travel in cargo or by ferry. Greek ferries generally permit pets but policies vary by operator. The Athens-to-island leg must be arranged separately from your international booking.
Your pet needs the USDA-endorsed EU Annex IV health certificate, proof of ISO-compliant microchip, and vaccination records showing current rabies vaccination. These are checked at the Veterinary Border Inspection Post (BIP) at ATH. Keep all originals accessible in your hand luggage; do not pack them in checked bags.
Greece has general legislation on dangerous dogs, and some municipalities have additional rules. Certain breeds may be subject to muzzle and lead requirements when in public spaces. As an EU member state, Greece recognises the EU framework for pet movement, but the domestic breed laws still apply once your pet is in the country. Check local regulations if your dog’s breed may be subject to restrictions.
For summer travel (June to September), book cargo space at least six to eight weeks in advance. Summer routes to Athens fill quickly with Greek diaspora and tourists returning home. In the off-season, two to four weeks in advance is generally sufficient. Always confirm with the airline that the routing accepts pet cargo for the entire journey from the USA to Athens.
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Airline guides
  • Aegean Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Lufthansa Cargo
  • United Airlines
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