Pet Transport USA to Greece: The 2026 Process Guide

Athens International Airport (ATH) is the main international gateway for most US-to-Greece pet moves. Several carriers fly transatlantic to Athens in summer, including Delta (seasonal direct from JFK) and Aegean Airlines via connections. Lufthansa routing via Frankfurt or Munich is another solid option, with good US gateway coverage from cities outside the northeast.

All transatlantic routes carry pets as manifested cargo. There are no cabin pet options on international flights from the USA to Greece. Cargo space on summer routes to Athens books up early, partly because many Greeks abroad and foreign residents plan their returns around the tourist season.

At ATH, your pet clears the Veterinary Border Inspection Post (BIP). For dogs and cats from the USA with correct documentation, this is typically a document review. Have the USDA-endorsed health certificate, microchip documentation, and vaccination record easily accessible.

A significant number of people moving to Greece are heading not to Athens itself but to one of the islands, whether Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, or the Cyclades. Getting your pet from Athens to an island involves a second leg of the journey, either by domestic flight or ferry.

Domestic Greek carriers (mainly Olympic Air and Sky Express) allow small pets in the cabin on some domestic routes. Larger dogs typically travel in cargo holds on domestic flights, or by ferry. Greek ferries generally permit pets on board, though policies vary by operator and route. Dogs may need to remain in a car or in a designated pet area on the ferry deck rather than in cabins.

Plan the onward leg to the island at the same time as your transatlantic travel. Summer ferry and flight bookings to popular islands fill quickly, and pet spaces on ferries are sometimes limited.