AU Australia GR Greece

Pet Transport from Australia to Greece

At a glance

  • Typical timeline: 4-10 weeks from start to arrival
  • Complexity: Low — plan well ahead
  • Quarantine: No routine quarantine for compliant pets

Getting your dog from Australia to Greece is entirely achievable, but the preparation timeline is not flexible.

This route is relatively straightforward compared to some international routes. Start preparations at least 4 weeks before your travel date: some steps have fixed waiting periods that cannot be shortened.

The paperwork is the hard part. Once everything is in order, the journey itself is well-managed.

The Journey, Step by Step

1
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
First step: must be done before any vaccinations.
Your veterinarian
2
Rabies vaccination
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Your veterinarian
3
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
You (or your pet transport agent)
4
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Official veterinarian
5
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
You + airline check-in/cargo desk

What Greece Requires

Microchip

Required (ISO 11784/11785)

Rabies Vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel

Titre Test

Not required

Quarantine

No routine quarantine for compliant pets

Import Permit

EU pet passport or health certificate

Health Certificate

Required. Issued by: Official veterinarian. Valid for 10 days from issue

What to Budget For

  • Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
  • IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
  • Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
  • Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Before You Leave Australia

Show export requirements from Australia

Export permit: Required for live animal exports from Australia

Things to Know Before You Book

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Why this route needs early planning

Compared to some international pet transport routes, Australia to Greece is manageable. That said, every country’s rules are different and the timing requirements are strict.

EU member state. EU rules apply.

Step-by-step: what to do first

Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.

Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.

If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Allow at least 4 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.

No routine quarantine is required in Greece for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.

No, Greece does not require a rabies titre test for most pets arriving from Australia. Your pet still needs a valid rabies vaccination and microchip. Check the current requirements with the destination authority before travel.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Australia. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Greece’s authority for the exact format required.

Start your journey

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