Pet Transport from Greece to Switzerland

Switzerland maintains a bilateral veterinary agreement with the EU that aligns Swiss pet import rules with EU standards. In practical terms, this means your Greek-issued EU Pet Passport is accepted at Zurich, Geneva, or Basel just as it would be at any EU border.

The requirements are the same as for intra-EU travel: a valid EU Pet Passport with a current rabies vaccination and a readable microchip. OSAV (the Swiss federal veterinary office) or cantonal veterinary authorities may check the passport on arrival, but for a compliant arrival, this is brief. No quarantine. No titre test.

This is a noticeably easier route than, say, moving from Switzerland to a non-EU destination. The bilateral agreement takes care of most of the complexity.

SWISS is the obvious carrier. They fly direct ATH-ZRH and accept small pets (up to 8kg including carrier) in the cabin on European routes. For a move to Switzerland, it is the cleanest option: one flight, no connections, and the airline knows its home country’s entry rules.

The flight from Athens to Zurich is approximately 3 hours – a comfortable cabin trip for most cats and small dogs.

Aegean Airlines and easyJet also serve ATH-ZRH. Aegean is a solid alternative from a Greek airport perspective. For larger dogs travelling cargo, Lufthansa via Frankfurt provides a reliable connection.

The carrier (for cabin travel) must fit under the seat in front of you. Confirm dimensions with your airline before purchase.