Bringing Pets to Greece
January 2012
Bringing Pets to Greece
Pet animals (dogs, cats, ferrets) must be identified by the electronic identification system (microchip) according to ISO standard 11784 or 11785.
- Be vaccinated against rabies.
- Be accompanied by a health certificate for non-commercial movement of pets Regulation (EC) No. 998/2003 endorsed by a USDA state veterinarian. For detailed info please contact the Greek Embassy in U.S. at http://www.greekembassy.org/embassy/content/en/Article.aspx?office=11&folder=917&article=20647
- Check with the airline about their requirements for transporting animals.
Health clearance will be given at the port of entry. Parrots may not be imported, unless they are coming from a country free from psittacosis, in which case no more than two may be imported and must have the same health certification as for dogs and cats. Greece has few boarding kennels available. Those available are not of Western standards, and bookings must be made in advance.
Shipping pets from Greece
The following are the rules and regulations for bringing your pet into the U.S.
In shipping a pet to the United States the owner must ensure that the animal meets three basic requirements levied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
- The animal must have been vaccinated against rabies within the last year but no less than 30 days before shipment.
- The animal must be examined by a qualified veterinarian and issued a good health certificate within 10 days of departing Greece.
- Pets must be micro-chipped.
You may apply to the Ministry of Agriculture of Greece for a Certificate of Health and Transportation that must be presented to the Greek authorities when leaving the country. The application for the certificate must include proof of rabies vaccination and good health verification.
Shipment of pets to countries other than the United States must be in keeping with the import regulations of that country. Many nations require quarantine of the animal for as long as six months. This can be expensive for the owner and traumatic for the animal. Great care must be taken to ensure that all import regulations are adhered to.