Home/Routes/Thailand to Greece
TH
Thailand
✈️
GR
Greece

Pet Transport Thailand to Greece: DLD Permit, FAVN Test and EU Entry

20-24 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
Thailand to Greece takes patience rather than complexity. The DLD export permit is applied for by email and inspection happens at Suvarnabhumi on departure day. For EU entry, Thailand is unlisted, so the FAVN titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory before your pet can land in Greece. No quarantine on arrival if the process is followed correctly.
Step by step

The Thailand to Greece process

1
Before rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip

Responsible: Vet

2
After microchip. Allow 21 days before titre test.
Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Vet

3
Blood draw at least 21 days after vaccination. EU-approved laboratory.
FAVN titre test

Responsible: EU-approved laboratory

4
From confirmed blood draw date (0.5 IU/ml+).
90-day waiting period

Responsible: Owner to track

5
During the 90-day wait. Email local DLD office with supporting documents.
DLD export permit application by email

Responsible: Owner

6
Within 10 days before arrival in Greece.
EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

Responsible: Authorised vet

7
On travel day.
DLD inspection at BKK on departure

Responsible: DLD, airline cargo

Checklist

Greece: entry requirements

RequirementDetail
MicrochipRequired. ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit non-encrypted. Before rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccinationRequired. After microchip. At least 21 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre testRequired. FAVN rabies antibody titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Thailand is an unlisted third country for EU. 90-day waiting period from blood draw date.
QuarantineNone. No quarantine on arrival in Greece for compliant pets.
Import permitNot required.
Health certificateEU Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued within 10 days before arrival in Greece.
Leaving Thailand

Export requirements

RequirementDetail
Export permitDLD (Department of Livestock Development) export permit applied for by email to the local DLD office. No online portal. Attach vet health certificate, microchip record, and vaccination record. Inspection at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) on departure day.
Health certificateIssued by an accredited vet. Documents microchip, rabies vaccination, and general health status.
Costs

What this route typically costs

1FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory: THB 3,000 to THB 8,000 (approximately £65 to £175)
2DLD export permit: low cost but allow time for processing
3Rabies and core vaccinations: THB 800 to THB 2,500
4IATA-compliant travel crate: THB 3,000 to THB 10,000
5Cargo airline fees (BKK to ATH): THB 20,000 to THB 60,000
6Pet transport agent fee: THB 8,000 to THB 20,000
7EU Animal Health Certificate: THB 2,000 to THB 5,000
Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ Thailand is unlisted for EU pet travel. FAVN titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory.
⚠ The DLD export permit is applied for by email, not through an online portal. Responses can take a few days. Apply at least 2 weeks before you need the certificate.
⚠ Thailand has active rabies in wildlife and some domestic dog populations. The FAVN test requirement for EU entry reflects this status.
⚠ Do not confuse the EU's FAVN requirement with any domestic Thai vaccination requirements. These are separate obligations.
Carriers

Airlines on this route

Thai Airways Cargo
Bangkok (BKK) to Athens (ATH) via connecting hub. Thai Airways accepts pets as cargo.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways Cargo
BKK via Doha (DOH) to ATH. Qatar Airways Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
BKK to ATH via Frankfurt (FRA). Lufthansa Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
Turkish Airlines Cargo
BKK via Istanbul (IST) to ATH. Turkish Airlines Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only

The DLD export permit: email application and inspection

Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development handles pet exports but does not have a centralised online portal. You apply by email to the local DLD district office, attaching the health certificate from your vet, the microchip record, and the vaccination history.

The permit is issued after a DLD veterinary officer inspects the animal at the departure airport, typically at Suvarnabhumi (BKK). This inspection is on the day of travel, so arrive early and have all paperwork ready. The DLD step is relatively straightforward once the EU documentation is in order.

Greece: what happens when your pet arrives

Athens International (ATH) handles international cargo arrivals, including live animals. Your cargo agent will pre-notify through the EU TRACES system before the flight, and a veterinary border inspection takes place on arrival.

The inspection checks the AHC, verifies the microchip, confirms the vaccination and titre test records, and clears the pet for entry. With complete documentation, the process is administrative. It is the preparation in Thailand and the 90-day wait that determine whether the Athens arrival goes smoothly.

FAQ

Common questions

Thailand is classified as an unlisted third country under EU Regulation 2016/429, which means it does not appear on the EU’s low-risk approved list. All pets from unlisted countries must have a FAVN titre test confirming 0.5 IU/ml or above, followed by a 90-day waiting period. This applies consistently to all EU member states, including Greece. There is no waiver available for Thailand.
Greece does not have a national breed-specific legislation list as extensive as some other EU countries, but some municipalities apply restrictions on certain types including Pit Bull Terrier types. Confirm with the local authority in your destination city in Greece before booking transport for any breed that might be considered restricted.
There is no direct Bangkok to Athens flight. All routes connect through a European or Middle East hub, typically Doha, Istanbul, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam. The connecting hub affects total transit time and which airline handles the connecting leg. Confirm that the connecting carrier accepts live animals before booking.
A rough minimum for a small to medium dog, based on 2026 cost data: FAVN test THB 3,000 to 8,000, crate THB 3,000 to 5,000, cargo fees THB 20,000 to 40,000, vet and permit costs THB 5,000 to 10,000, agent fee THB 8,000 to 15,000. Total budget around THB 40,000 to THB 80,000 (approximately £870 to £1,750) for a typical medium dog. Larger breeds cost significantly more.
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