PETS ON BOARD

Pets On Board

All the information you need to know if you are travelling with your pet.

- Travelling by ferry with a pet

If you are travelling with your 4-legged friend, you will be happy to know that all ferry companies allow pets on board, but certain regulations apply.

• Passengers must specify at the time of booking that they will be travelling with a pet.
• Your pet must have an valid pet passport.
• Pets cannot travel unaccompanied.
• Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s care, safety and hygiene.
• Pet owners are solely responsible for any possible harm or damage caused by their pet to any third party.

Visually impaired passengers may travel with their guide dog, in accordance with the international and EU regulations (Article 11.5 of Regulation (EU) No. 1177/2010), at no extra cost but the ferry company/travel agent must be informed at the time of booking.

Depending on the company and ship you are travelling with, you will find special facilities (kennels) on board for dogs and cats, while some companies also offer a specific number of cabins where pets are allowed (pet cabins). Other pets such as hamsters, birds, rabbits are allowed also but must remain in their carriers/cages at all times.

Pets are not allowed indoors (bars, restaurants and other public areas) or in vehicles (unless you have booked camping on board), while access to the vehicle deck is forbidden during crossings. While walking on the open decks, pets are required to wear a muzzle and be on a leash, accompanied by the pet owner or guardian. The pet owner or guardian is held fully responsible for the care, safety and hygiene of the pet and for adhering to all laws and regulations related to the above.

Cabins where pets are allowed are indicated as PET CABINS in the online booking system.

Pet Travel Declaration Questionnare

Based on the existing legislative framework (article 18 § 7 of Law 4830/2021 / Official Gazette Issue A' 169/18.09.2021, it is mandatory for passengers traveling with animals to declare them when booking / issuing their tickets, in order to be recorded in the electronic booking system.

Issuing of tickets for pets is mandatory, and the following data are required/recorded:

• Pet Passport number or Pet Health Certificate number
• Category of Animal (e.g. Companion, Therapy, Assistance)*
• Size of Animal (Large > 10 Kg or Small <= 10 Kg)
• Class (Pet in cabin / Pet in kennel / Pet on deck)

Escorts must have the pet’s health certificate with them at all times (residents of the European Union must also have the pet’s official EU Pet Passport with them), follow all boarding procedures and be responsible for the care, safety and hygiene of the pet throughout the journey. Cats, dogs and ferrets must have proof of vaccination against rabies.

According to the legislation L.4830/2021/Government Gazette Issue A 169/18.09.21 "New framework for the welfare of pets, "Argos" Programme and other provisions”, passengers wishing to travel on the Patras Sami Ithaca & Ithaca Sami Patras line, having with them pets, assistance or therapy animals, should issue a ticket for the animal.

The necessary information for the animal’s ticket is:

• Passport Number or Health Booklet Number
• Animal marking number
• Animal category (pets, therapy animals, assistance animals)
• Animal size: divided into small animals of less than 10 kg and large animals equal to or greater than 10 kg.

Passengers-Accompanying persons should have with them the animal's health booklet. Each passenger can accompany up to 4 animals that belong to them.

In particular:

• Pets up to 10 kg are transported with a carrier (animal purse, cage, kennel) and remain in the area where their owner is.
• Pets over 10 kg are required to use the ship’s special cages.
• Therapy, assistance and work animals travel with their owner compulsorily with a muzzle and lead
• All animals, regardless of the category in which they belong to, must have a ticket and the necessary accompanying documents (health booklet, ID - chip, passport).

In addition, the passengers / accompanying persons of the pet shall be responsible for their care, safety and hygiene during the journey.

Ships provide a special space for the daily hygiene of pets.

Unaccompanied pets shall not be accepted.

Any damage caused by the animals shall be borne by their companions.