Pet Transport from Greece to Philippines

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) handles pet imports into the Philippines. The requirements are stricter than a simple EU Pet Passport scenario, but far less demanding than Japan or Australia.

You need an ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination, and a BAI Import Clearance Certificate. That permit is issued by the BAI in Manila before your pet departs Greece. You apply online or via an agent and the processing takes 1-2 weeks. Do not leave this until the last minute.

On arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, a BAI veterinary inspector checks your documents and the animal. For compliant arrivals, clearance is typically granted the same day. The inspector looks for the BAI permit, the health certificate, and physical condition. Have all originals ready.

The health certificate from Greece must be in English and endorsed by MINAGRIC – Greece’s Ministry of Rural Development and Food. The certificate is only valid for 10 days from the issue date. Book your official vet appointment accordingly.

No airline runs direct Athens to Manila flights. You are looking at a routing through Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar), Abu Dhabi (Etihad), or Singapore (Singapore Airlines). Each has its merits.

Lufthansa via Frankfurt is a commonly used option for European pets heading to South East Asia. Frankfurt’s live animal facility is well-regarded and the Lufthansa Cargo team is experienced. The FRA-MNL leg is long but manageable in a proper IATA crate.

If you are flying via a Gulf hub (Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi), pay attention to the time of year. Summer heat embargoes – typically May through September – mean that carriers restrict cargo pet acceptance during extreme temperatures. If you are moving mid-summer, check embargo schedules before you book.

Singapore is a cleaner routing for the final leg to Manila: SIN-MNL is a short hop, and Singapore Changi handles live animals professionally.

Whichever route you take, the crate matters. It must be IATA-compliant, the right size for your animal, and your pet should be comfortable in it before the day of travel. Crate training weeks in advance makes a real difference to how the journey goes.