Taking Your Dog to Greece
Current 2026 checklist for U.S. travelers bringing a dog to Greece, including EU entry rules, USDA paperwork, costs, and return-to-U.S. steps.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Greece
ISO Microchip
Your dog must be identified with a microchip before rabies vaccination. EU rules require a compliant microchip; a clearly readable tattoo is accepted only if it was applied before July 3, 2011. In practice, travelers use a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip.
Must be implanted before rabies vaccination and before the health certificate is issuedRabies Vaccination
Dogs entering Greece from the United States must be vaccinated against rabies. The dog must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of the primary vaccination, and at least 21 days must pass after the primary vaccination before travel. Booster vaccinations remain valid if given within the previous vaccine's validity period.
Primary vaccine must be given at least 21 days before travelRabies Titer Test
Not required for dogs traveling directly from the United States to Greece because the U.S. is a listed country for EU pet travel. A titer may be required only if your dog has recently been in or is transiting certain non-listed countries under conditions that trigger EU testing rules.
If ever required for a non-listed country itinerary, sample must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination and 3 months before EU entryHealth Certificate
For non-commercial travel from the U.S. to Greece, your dog needs the EU non-commercial animal health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS. For the standard non-commercial route, pets must arrive in the EU within 10 days of USDA endorsement.
Travel to Greece must occur within 10 days of USDA endorsementImport Permit
Greece does not require a separate import permit for the non-commercial movement of up to 5 pet dogs that meet EU pet travel rules. Different commercial rules apply if the owner or authorized person is not traveling within 5 days, or if the movement is otherwise commercial.
Not applicable for standard non-commercial pet travelOwner/Authorized Person Travel Rule
For non-commercial entry, the dog must travel with the owner, an authorized person, or a carrier-designated person, and the owner or authorized person must travel within 5 days of the pet. If not, the shipment falls under commercial rules.
Owner or authorized person must travel within 5 days before or after the dogParasite Treatment
No routine parasite treatment is required by Greece for dogs arriving from the United States. The anti-Echinococcus treatment requirement in EU pet rules applies only to certain listed Member States and territories, not Greece.
Not applicable for GreeceQuarantine Period
There is no routine quarantine for dogs that meet Greece and EU entry requirements. If documents or health requirements are not met at entry, authorities may refuse entry, return the dog, isolate it under official supervision, or take other enforcement action.
No quarantine if fully compliant on arrivalBanned Breeds
No Greece-specific banned dog breeds were identified in the official pet-entry sources reviewed for standard non-commercial import. Airline breed restrictions may still apply, especially for brachycephalic or large dogs.
Check airline rules before bookingNumber of Pets Limit
You can usually travel non-commercially with up to 5 pets. More than 5 dogs can still qualify only in limited cases such as competitions, exhibitions, or sporting events, and the dogs must be over 6 months old with supporting proof.
Confirm before booking if traveling with more than 5 petsEstimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam | $75-200 | Typical U.S. accredited-vet exam range; clinic pricing varies by region and paperwork complexity. |
| Rabies vaccination | $20-60 | Only if your dog's rabies vaccine is not current. |
| Rabies titer test | $0 | Not required for direct travel from the United States to Greece under current EU listed-country rules. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $101 | APHIS fee for a pet health certificate with 0 laboratory tests, per certificate. |
| Microchip | $25-75 | If your dog does not already have a compliant microchip. |
| Airline pet fee (in cabin) | $100-200 | Examples from official airline sources: Delta international in-cabin fee is $200 each way; Lufthansa small in-cabin pet fee on intercontinental routes is 70 EUR, about $76 at a 1.09 USD/EUR conversion. |
| Airline pet fee (cargo/hold, if needed) | $164-327 | Example from Lufthansa official fees for intercontinental routes: 150-300 EUR depending on crate size, about $164-$327 at a 1.09 USD/EUR conversion. Other airlines may price differently or require manifest cargo. |
| Import permit fee | $0 | No separate import permit fee for standard non-commercial entry to Greece. |
| Total | $221-763 |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
When returning from Greece to the United States, CDC rules depend on where your dog has been during the 6 months before entry and where it was vaccinated against rabies. Greece is not listed by CDC as a high-risk country for dog rabies, so if your dog has been only in low-risk or dog-rabies-free countries during the previous 6 months, the process is simpler. Your dog must appear healthy on arrival, and you must submit the CDC Dog Import Form before entry. If your dog was vaccinated in the United States, keep the USDA-endorsed rabies documentation you used for departure; CDC notes that USDA-endorsed export health certificates issued after July 31, 2025 are not accepted for re-entry in place of the newer U.S.-issued rabies form, so travelers should confirm current documentation before leaving the U.S. If your dog has been in any CDC high-risk country within the last 6 months, stricter rules apply and may include additional endorsed rabies documentation, limited ports of entry, and a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility for certain foreign-vaccinated dogs. Also check USDA and your destination state's rules before flying home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog need a rabies titer test to enter Greece from the United States?
Usually no. For dogs traveling from the United States to Greece under standard non-commercial EU pet rules, a rabies antibody titer test is not required because the U.S. is a listed country for EU entry.
How early should I start preparing to take my dog to Greece?
Start at least 1-2 months before travel. Your dog must be microchipped before rabies vaccination, and at least 21 days must pass after a primary rabies vaccine before entry. You also need time for the USDA-accredited vet appointment and USDA endorsement.
How long is the USDA-endorsed EU health certificate valid for Greece?
For standard non-commercial travel, your dog must arrive in the EU within 10 days of USDA endorsement of the health certificate.
Do I need an import permit for Greece?
Not for normal non-commercial travel with up to 5 pet dogs that meet EU rules. If the dog is not traveling with you or an authorized person within 5 days, or if the movement is commercial, different rules apply.
Is parasite treatment required before entering Greece?
No routine parasite treatment is required by Greece for dogs arriving from the United States. The special anti-Echinococcus treatment rule applies only to certain other EU destinations, not Greece.
Can my dog fly in the cabin to Greece?
Possibly, if your dog and carrier meet your airline's size and route rules. For example, Delta allows small pets in cabin on eligible international itineraries and charges an international pet fee, while Lufthansa allows dogs and cats up to 8 kg including carrier in the cabin on eligible flights.
Is there quarantine for dogs entering Greece?
Not if your dog meets all entry requirements. Non-compliant pets can be refused entry, returned, or isolated under official supervision.
What do I need to return to the U.S. from Greece with my dog?
At minimum, your dog must appear healthy and you must submit the CDC Dog Import Form before arrival. Additional documentation depends on whether your dog has been in any CDC high-risk rabies countries during the previous 6 months and where the dog was vaccinated against rabies.