Can I take my dog on the bus or in a taxi?
Conditional — yes, with conditions. Under Law 4830/2021 (Art. 17), small companion animals (up to 10 kg) in a secure carrier are allowed on all fixed-track transport, buses, taxis and passenger ships. There's no "muzzle instead of a carrier" for ordinary pets. Guide/assistance/therapy dogs with a harness travel everywhere, with no carrier or muzzle, any size. Rabies vaccination + a health booklet are mandatory. A taxi must carry a properly crated small pet, and refusing a guide dog is unlawful discrimination. On ships, cages exist for large dogs. In short: a small animal in a carrier yes, a guide dog everywhere.
📋 The rules
- Small animals up to 10 kg in a secure carrier
- Guide/assistance dogs: everywhere, no carrier/muzzle
- Mandatory: rabies vaccination + health booklet
- Taxi: must accept a properly crated animal
- Ships: cages for large dogs (PD 44/2011)
🔓 Exceptions
- Guide/assistance/therapy dogs: any size
- Sporting/show animals: >5 for competitions (EU Reg. 576/2013)
- No animals in the luggage hold of coaches
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Breaches are fined: transport without a carrier ~€300/animal, missing vaccination/booklet €500/animal, an animal in the coach luggage hold €1,000. A taxi's refusal to carry a guide dog is unlawful discrimination (Law 4443/2016, Art. 11): fines €1,000–€5,000 and imprisonment of 6 months–3 years — there's also a conviction precedent (Athens, 2022). Beware myths: "any dog rides in a taxi with a muzzle" — wrong (a carrier is needed, and non-service dogs over 10 kg have no claim); and citing the old Law 3868/2010 is outdated. To stay compliant: a small animal in a secure carrier with a booklet, and for a large dog prefer a ship with a cage or private transport.
📎 Official sources
- Law 4830/2021 (Art. 17) — transport of animals →
- Law 4443/2016 (Art. 11) — equal treatment →
- Ministry of Rural Development — pet movements →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I take my dog on the bus or metro?
Yes, if it's a small animal up to 10 kg in a secure carrier. On those conditions they're allowed on buses, the metro, the tram, trains and taxis. Guide and assistance dogs travel everywhere, without a carrier and regardless of size.
Do I need a muzzle or a carrier?
For ordinary pets you need a secure carrier, not just a muzzle. There's no "muzzle instead of a carrier" option. Guide and assistance dogs, with their special harness, are exempt and need neither a carrier nor a muzzle.
Can a taxi driver refuse my dog?
For a properly crated small animal, the taxi must carry it. Refusing to carry a disabled person's guide dog is unlawful discrimination, with fines of €1,000–€5,000 and a prison sentence, and there's a relevant conviction precedent.
What about large dogs?
Large dogs (over 10 kg) that aren't service dogs have no general right of carriage on urban transport or taxis. On ships, however, cages of various sizes are provided, so large dogs can travel too.
What documents do I need?
The animal must have a rabies vaccination and an up-to-date health booklet. Their absence is fined €500 per animal. Transport without the required carrier is fined about €300 per animal.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “dog on bus rules greece”
- “pet in taxi carrier”
- “guide dog taxi refusal”
- “law 4830/2021 transport animals”
- “large dog public transport”
- “animal on ship cage”