Taking Cats To Greece » Fly Your Cat to Greece from UK
Planning a move to Greece with your cat? The Pet Passport system makes it straightforward.
We’re Fetchapet and we’ve been handling cat travel to Greek islands and the mainland for over 30 years. Athens, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, wherever you’re heading.
How The Pet Passport Works
Greece is part of the EU pet travel scheme which means your cat needs a UK Pet Passport to enter.
A Pet Passport is a small booklet issued by your vet that records your cat’s microchip number, rabies vaccination history and health status. Once your cat has one with a current rabies vaccination, they can travel freely around the EU including Greece.
No quarantine, no complicated import permits, just the passport.
The passport stays valid as long as you keep the rabies vaccination up to date. Let the booster lapse and the whole passport becomes invalid. You’d need to start over with a new initial rabies vaccination and wait another 21 days.
Book boosters a week or two before they’re due to avoid this.
Getting Your Cat A Pet Passport
Here’s how to get a Pet Passport for your cat:
Your cat gets microchipped first. This needs doing before any vaccinations.
Next is the rabies vaccination. Your cat must be at least 12 weeks old to have this jab.
Then you wait 21 days after the rabies vaccination.
After those 21 days have passed, an Official Veterinarian completes the Pet Passport booklet. The passport records the microchip number, insertion date and rabies vaccination details. Most vet practices have an Official Veterinarian on staff who can do this.
Your cat also needs a health certificate close to travel time confirming they’re fit to fly. The vet signs this in the Pet Passport.
Total timeline if you’re starting fresh is about three to four weeks. If your cat already has a valid Pet Passport with current rabies vaccination, you just need the health certificate and you’re ready.
Greece doesn’t require tapeworm treatment like some EU countries do (Finland, Ireland, Malta). One less thing to sort.
What Travel Day Looks Like
We collect your cat from anywhere in England, Scotland or Wales on departure day. You can also drop them with us or meet us at Heathrow if that suits you better.
Your cat travels in a crate we build specifically for their size. Not too big, not too small, just right so they can stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.
Inside the crate goes vet bed which is soft and absorbs any water spills so your cat doesn’t end up sitting in a puddle. We spray Feliway in the crate before your cat goes in. It’s a calming pheromone spray, not a sedative, just helps them feel more relaxed.
Your cat can’t eat for six hours before check in. This stops them being sick or having toilet accidents during the flight when they can’t get out of the crate. They do have a water bowl that stays accessible the whole journey though.
The cargo hold where your cat travels is kept at the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin. Not some freezing warehouse, actually comfortable. The lights dim during the flight so it’s dark and quiet. Most cats just sleep through it.
Check in is the stressful noisy bit when everything’s chaotic and busy. Once you’re actually airborne though, cats usually settle down.
If we can get you the crate a few weeks early, stick it at home with a blanket and treats inside. Let your cat explore it and claim it as theirs. Then on flight day it’s not some terrifying new thing, it’s familiar territory.
Greek Destinations
Athens is the main airport but we fly cats to the islands too. Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, wherever you’re based in Greece. Some flights are direct, others route through Athens depending on your destination.
Tell us where in Greece you’re going and we’ll figure out the best way to get your cat there.
Climate In Greece
Greece is significantly hotter than the UK, especially during summer on the islands. Most cats adapt fine but it’s worth thinking about whether yours will cope.
Long haired cats or ones who love being outdoors might struggle with Mediterranean heat. Indoor cats often adjust more easily because they’re already used to climate controlled environments.
What It Costs
The cost depends on your cat’s size (which determines crate size) and which Greek airport you’re flying into.
Get a free quote from us with your cat’s details and destination.
Get In Touch
Ring us on 01206 330332 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday if you want to chat. Or email info@fetchapet.co.uk anytime. We respond quickly even outside working hours.
We’ve been doing EU pet travel for decades. The Pet Passport system is genuinely straightforward and we’ll make sure yours is sorted properly.
FAQs About Flying Cats To Greece
It takes about three to four weeks to get a Pet Passport for your cat. Your cat gets microchipped, then has the rabies vaccination (must be at least 12 weeks old), then you wait 21 days after the vaccination. After those 21 days an Official Veterinarian completes the Pet Passport and it’s valid for travel.
No, cats don’t need quarantine in Greece. Greece is part of the EU pet travel scheme so cats with valid Pet Passports and current rabies vaccinations enter freely without quarantine.
If your cat’s rabies vaccination expires, the Pet Passport becomes invalid. Your cat needs a completely new initial rabies vaccination and then you have to wait another 21 days before you can travel to Greece. Keep boosters current to avoid this hassle.
The cost to fly a cat to Greece depends on your cat’s size and which Greek airport you’re flying into. Get a free quote from us with your cat’s details and we’ll give you an exact price.
