Pet Transport Japan to Greece: No Titre Test, Just the AQS and AHC
6-10 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Moderate
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
How we source our data →
Overview
Japan is one of the easier origins for EU pet entry because Japan appears on the EU’s approved listed-country list. That means no FAVN titre test and no 90-day waiting period for pets entering Greece from Japan. The AQS export health certificate from MAFF, a valid rabies vaccination, an ISO microchip, and the EU Animal Health Certificate issued within 10 days of arrival are what you need. Allow six to ten weeks.
Step by step
The Japan to Greece process
1
Before rabies vaccination (note: Japan domestic rules also require microchip before or on same day as vaccination).
Implant ISO microchip
Responsible: Vet
2
After microchip. Allow at least 21 days before the planned departure.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
3
At least 4 to 6 weeks before travel. Confirm size limits and documentation requirements with the airline.
Book cargo flight and arrange crate
Responsible: Owner
4
At least 2 weeks before travel. Book AQS inspection appointment at departure airport.
AQS export health certificate application
Responsible: AQS/MAFF
5
Within 10 days before arrival in Greece.
EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
Responsible: Authorised vet in Japan
6
On travel day.
AQS inspection and departure clearance at NRT or HND
Responsible: AQS, airline cargo
Checklist
Greece: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit non-encrypted. Before rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. After microchip. At least 21 days before travel to Greece.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Japan is listed as a third country under EU Regulation 2016/429 (Annex II, Part 1). Pets from Japan do not need a FAVN titre test or 90-day waiting period to enter the EU.
Quarantine
None. No quarantine on arrival in Greece for pets from Japan with correct documentation.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an authorised vet within 10 days before arrival in Greece.
Leaving Japan
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
Formal export permit from AQS/MAFF. Arrange the AQS appointment in advance. Inspect at Narita (NRT), Haneda (HND), or another AQS-registered departure airport.
Health certificate
AQS (Animal Quarantine Service) export health certificate issued by MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries). Completed after veterinary inspection at the AQS office at the departure airport.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
AQS export health certificate fee: JPY 5,000 to JPY 15,000
2
Rabies vaccination and vet consultation: JPY 5,000 to JPY 15,000
3
IATA-compliant travel crate: JPY 10,000 to JPY 50,000
4
Cargo airline fees (NRT to ATH): JPY 80,000 to JPY 250,000
5
EU Animal Health Certificate: JPY 5,000 to JPY 15,000
6
Pet transport agent fee: JPY 30,000 to JPY 100,000
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Japan is listed for EU pet travel, meaning no FAVN titre test or 90-day wait is required. This is a significant advantage compared to most other Asian origins.
⚠ Japan's own domestic pet handling (rabies-free status, AQS supervision) means the export process is well-organised. The AQS inspection appointment must be booked in advance.
⚠ The EU AHC must be issued within 10 days before arrival in Greece. Do not have it issued earlier.
⚠ Some dog breeds face restrictions in Greece at the municipal level. Confirm your breed's status before travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Japan Airlines Cargo
Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Athens (ATH). Japan Airlines accepts pets as cargo. Primary carrier on this corridor.
Cargo Only
All Nippon Airways (ANA) Cargo
NRT to ATH via connecting hub. ANA accepts pets as cargo.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
NRT via Frankfurt (FRA) to ATH. Lufthansa Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
Why Japan is listed and what that means in practice
Under EU Regulation 2016/429, the European Commission maintains a list of third countries considered low-risk for rabies. Japan appears on that list because it achieved and maintains rabies-free status, and its veterinary certification system meets EU standards.
For pet owners moving from Japan to Greece, this status is a real practical advantage. There is no titre test, no 90-day countdown, and no extended preparation period. A valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), an ISO microchip, the AQS export health certificate, and the EU AHC are all that stand between your pet in Tokyo and arrival in Athens.
The AQS process at Narita or Haneda
Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service operates at major international airports, and the export process is methodical. Book the AQS inspection appointment at least two weeks before travel. On inspection day, an AQS officer checks the pet, verifies the microchip, reviews vaccination records, and issues the export health certificate.
Japan Airlines and ANA both handle pet cargo from Narita with their own live animal teams. If your connection to Athens requires a European hub (Frankfurt or Amsterdam are common), confirm that the connecting carrier also accepts live animals and that the crate size is within their limits.
FAQ
Common questions
No. Japan is classified as a listed country under EU Regulation 2016/429, Annex II, Part 1. Pets from listed countries do not need a FAVN rabies titre test or a 90-day waiting period to enter any EU member state, including Greece. This is in contrast to most other Asian countries, which are unlisted and do require the titre test.
The AQS (Animal Quarantine Service) export health certificate is issued by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) after a physical inspection of your pet at the departure airport. It documents the microchip number, rabies vaccination details, and confirms the pet is healthy for export. It is a government-issued document, separate from the EU AHC which is issued by an authorised vet.
Direct Tokyo to Athens flights are limited and seasonal. Most routes connect through a European hub, typically Frankfurt (Lufthansa), or occasionally via a Middle East hub. Japan Airlines and ANA offer cargo services with European connections. Confirm the connecting airline also accepts live animals before booking the full itinerary.
Six to ten weeks is typical from starting preparations to travel day. Key steps are: microchip, then rabies vaccination, then wait 21 days for the vaccine to meet the EU minimum requirement, then book AQS inspection, then get the AHC within 10 days of arrival. There is no titre test wait on this route, so the timeline is considerably shorter than for unlisted country origins.