Pet Transport from Portugal to Greece

Greece enforces EU Regulation 2019/2035 for companion animals arriving from EU member states. For a pet coming from Portugal, Greek border vets are checking three things: a functioning ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (in force for at least 21 days), and the EU Pet Passport issued by a DGAV-authorised vet in Portugal.

That is the full list. No extra paperwork is needed. The Greek check is routine and usually takes a few minutes.

Keep the passport in your carry-on rather than hold luggage. If there is any inspection on arrival, you want it accessible immediately.

Lisbon does not have the frequency of direct Athens connections that larger hubs like London or Frankfurt do. Most routings go via Madrid, Barcelona (Vueling), or connect through other EU airports.

TAP Air Portugal handles cabin pets on its own segments. Aegean Airlines, flying from the Greek side, also accepts cabin pets. Vueling is a popular budget option and covers the Lisbon-Greece route via Barcelona, with cabin pets accepted on most services.

For larger dogs, cargo routing needs to be considered more carefully. Book early and confirm the full itinerary accepts cargo pets.

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport has an animal inspection facility for arriving pets. With a valid EU Pet Passport, the process is a routine microchip scan and document check. Expect a brief wait.

Greece is genuinely dog-friendly. Outdoor dining, city parks, and most island environments are comfortable for well-travelled dogs. Once the border check is done, you will find it easy to navigate with your pet.