At a glance
Typical journey type: Leaving Greece with a pet, to any destination country
Main planning decisions
- Which transport method fits your pet, route and timeline
- Whether you'll travel with your pet or arrange separate transport
- How much lead time your destination's requirements need
Information to prepare
- Destination country and city
- Approximate or flexible travel date
- Species, breed and weight
- Whether you're travelling with your pet
Services the enquiry may involve
- Pet relocation
- Travel-crate guidance
- Boarding before departure
- Documentation checks
Your provider confirms current requirements, timing and pricing for your specific journey — this is a planning overview, not a quote.
Planning the departure
Your destination country's own requirements, your airline and your departure date all shape the timeline. Start with whichever of those is most fixed.
Destination-specific requirements
Every destination has its own import rules. A provider or the destination's official authority can confirm what applies to you.
Airline or road transport considerations
Depends on distance, your pet's size and your own plans. A provider can talk through what's realistic for your route.
| Method | May suit | Main questions | What affects availability | What the provider must confirm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-cabin travel | Small pets that meet the airline's in-cabin size and weight limits | Does the airline allow in-cabin pets on this route, and does the carrier fit under the seat | Airline policy, aircraft type, and how many in-cabin pet spaces the flight allows | Exact carrier dimensions, breed restrictions and the booking deadline |
| Accompanied baggage (where available) | Pets travelling with their owner on the same flight, checked as baggage | Does this airline and route offer accompanied baggage for pets, and what are the crate rules | Airline, route, season and temperature restrictions (many airlines suspend this in extreme heat) | Crate specification, check-in procedure and any seasonal embargo dates |
| Manifest cargo | Larger pets, or journeys where the owner isn't travelling on the same flight | Which cargo agent handles the booking, and what documentation they require | Cargo space on the route, seasonal embargoes and live-animal handling capacity | Handling agent, transit arrangements and the delivery/collection process |
| Road transport | Routes where flying isn't necessary or preferred, within a practical driving distance | How many stops, overnight stays and border crossings are involved | Distance, the specific countries crossed and vehicle/driver availability | Vehicle setup, rest-stop plan and any transit-country pet rules |
| Owner travelling with the pet | Owners who want to be present for check-in and arrival | Whether the owner's flight and the pet's transport method can realistically align | Whether the airline allows pets on the owner's specific flight and cabin class | Whether the owner needs to be present at check-in, security or arrival |
| Pet travelling separately | Owners travelling before or after their pet, or when no combined option fits | Who collects the pet at departure and delivers it on arrival | Cargo or courier capacity and the provider's own scheduling | The full custody chain from collection to delivery, and how updates are provided |
Travelling with the owner versus separately
Both are common for departures from Greece. Some underlying health and identification requirements may overlap, but booking classifications, documentation, carrier rules and arrival procedures can differ. The provider must confirm what applies to your specific journey.
Documentation checks
Passports, health certificates and vaccination records are usually reviewed well ahead of departure, against your specific destination's requirements.
Travel-crate preparation
Sizing and airline approval matter more the further you're travelling. See our crate sizing guide.
Veterinary coordination
Your vet confirms vaccination status and any destination-specific health requirements, and issues the certificates a provider or airline will ask for.
Airport transfer
Airport transfer at departure or destination may be available through an independent provider, subject to the route, timing and provider availability.
Boarding before departure
Useful if your move-out date doesn't line up with your travel date. See Dog Boarding in Athens.
Moving multiple pets
Let us know how many and we'll flag it to providers upfront. Logistics can differ for more than one animal.
Urgent moves
Mention it on the enquiry form and we'll flag the urgency when reviewing, though feasibility still depends on your destination's documentation timelines.
Common causes of delay
Destination-specific waiting periods, incomplete paperwork, and limited crate or cargo-space availability on a given route are common causes of delay.
Cost factors
Typical cost factors include destination, distance, transport method, crate size, and whether the owner travels with the pet. A provider can quote against your specific requirements.
What happens after submitting the form
Apolo reviews your enquiry and researches whether a realistic provider option may be available. Where a possible provider is identified, Apolo explains the proposed introduction and requests your permission before sharing any details. The provider then confirms its own availability and pricing.
Before you go
If you'll want local support again on a future visit, or need help wrapping up dog walking or other services in Athens beforehand, mention it on the same enquiry form.
Official sources
Requirements change, and airline policy, provider practice and general planning advice are three different things. These are official or industry sources to confirm current requirements directly, each checked on 27 July 2026.
- UK Government — Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad (Official UK legal requirement — for leaving Great Britain)
- UK Government — Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain (Official UK legal requirement — for entering Great Britain)
- UK Government — Bringing pets to Great Britain: overview (Official UK legal requirement — for entering Great Britain)
- European Commission — Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country (Official EU legal requirement)
- European Commission — Travelling with a pet within the EU (Official EU legal requirement)
- Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food — Pet Animals (Relevant Greek authority)
- IATA — Live Animal Handling & Transport (Industry guidance, not a legal requirement)
- IATA — Traveler's Pet Corner (Industry guidance, not a legal requirement)
Frequently asked questions
Does every destination have the same requirements for pets leaving Greece?
No. Each destination country sets its own import rules. A provider or the destination's official authority can confirm what applies to your specific route.
How far ahead should I start planning a departure?
Your destination country's own requirements, your airline and your departure date all shape the timeline. Start with whichever of those is most fixed, and begin as early as you reasonably can.
Can I move more than one pet at a time?
Yes, let us know how many on the enquiry form. Logistics and documentation can differ for more than one animal, so flagging this upfront helps a provider quote accurately.
What if my move is urgent?
Mention it on the enquiry form. We'll flag the urgency when reviewing, though a provider's actual ability to accommodate a short timeline depends on your specific route and documentation status.