Teleporio™ — Greek Island Travel Intelligence

Travelling to Greece With a Dog

Everything you need to know about bringing your dog to Greece. Ferry policies, EU pet passport, microchipping, island-by-island rules and practical tips.

Required Documentation

the foundation is the EU Pet Passport (for EU residents) or the Animal Health Certificate (for UK and non-EU travellers); the AHC must be issued by an official vet within 10 days of travel and lists your dog's microchip number, vaccination history, and tapeworm treatment; keep originals with you at all times during travel — digital copies are not accepted at border control

Microchip Requirements

the 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip is mandatory — ensure it was implanted before or at the same time as the first rabies vaccination, or the vaccination is considered invalid for travel purposes; have your vet scan the chip to verify it reads correctly before travel

Vaccinations

rabies vaccination must be administered at least 21 days before entry (first-time vaccination) or be within its valid booster period; distemper, parvovirus, and leptospirosis are recommended but not legally required for entry; Leishmania vaccination is strongly recommended for dogs spending extended time in Greece — the disease is transmitted by sand flies which are common across the Greek islands

Travelling by Ferry With a Dog

for Blue Star Ferries overnight crossings, dogs travel on the open-air pet deck (a designated area near the stern of the vessel, weather-exposed); the deck has water available and some shelter but expect full sun and wind; bring your own water bowl, shade covering if needed, and a non-slip mat; on high-speed catamarans (SeaJets, Hellenic Seaways), small dogs in carriers travel in the passenger area; larger dogs on catamarans must be in the vehicle hold — not suitable for very long crossings

Managing Heat in Greek Summer

the most critical health risk for dogs in Greek summer is heat — temperatures routinely exceed 35°C in July and August; plan island activities for early morning (before 09:00) and evening (after 18:00); cold water from a shade-accessible tap or bottle is essential throughout the day; many Greek beach cafes will provide a bowl of water on request

Canine Leishmania — the Key Health Risk

canine Leishmania is endemic throughout Greece and is the main health concern for visiting dogs; transmitted by the Phlebotomus sand fly (most active from dusk to dawn May-October); prevention requires a combination of: Leishmania vaccination, approved parasite prevention collar (Seresto or Scalibor), and spot-on treatments; consult your vet at least 3 months before travel

At the Port — Final Preparation

At the ferry port: register your dog at the operator's check-in kiosk before boarding (separate from your own ticket check-in). Allow at least 30 additional minutes at the port for this process, particularly at Piraeus where the boarding operation is large. Keep your EU Pet Passport, vaccination records, and microchip documentation in your day bag — not in hold luggage. For crossings over two hours, book a cabin: dogs travelling on conventional ferries need an enclosed space rather than the main passenger decks. Bring a collapsible water bowl and sufficient water for the full crossing duration.