Scroll to top
cross-border stamp image

Licence for the Establishment and Operation of Shelters for Stray Pets

Basic information

Institutional Body

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

Description

The procedure concerns the granting of a licence for the establishment and operation of shelters for stray pets, where such animals are provided with temporary accommodation and care. Keeping animals in a shelter ensures that they live in a safe environment, which operates in accordance with animal welfare standards, until they are adopted or returned to their natural habitat. It is addressed to local authorities, legal entities of local authorities or their associations, intermunicipal partnerships, and municipal development organisations as defined in Article 2 of Law 4674/2020 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 53), to animal welfare associations and non-profit animal welfare organisations registered in the relevant Sub-Register of the Greek National Pet Registry, and to natural persons, provided that the above meet the relevant conditions.

At a glance

Points of ServicePoints of Single Contact (ΚΕΠ – EKE), Regions, Competent veterinary authority of the relevant Region/Regional Unit
Number of Documents0
CostProvided without cost
Deadline of Implementation3 to 6 months
Process Diagram

Conditions

The establishment and operation of pet shelters is permitted outside the boundaries of residential areas, both in city-planned areas and those designated for future city planning, in forest areas and public grassland areas as defined in Article 3(5)(a) and (b) of Law 998/1979 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 289). Pet shelters must: (a) be at a distance of up to 5 km from the end of a settlement; and (b) must have easy access by road.

The licence shall be issued by decision of the competent veterinary authority of the relevant Region/Regional Unit within the boundaries of which the refuge is to be established, following an opinion of the Committee referred to in Article 5 of Law 604/1977 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 163). A licence to establish a shelter shall be valid for a period of three (3) years, within which the holder of the licence must have obtained the operating licence.

The operating licence shall be issued by decision of the competent veterinary authority of the Region/Regional Unit concerned, within the boundaries of which the shelter has been installed, following an inspection by the three-member committee referred to in Article 5 of Law 604/1977, upon completion of the construction of the facilities and before the animals enter the shelter.

The establishment licence shall be granted upon application by the eligible party, accompanied by a file containing the following supporting documents: (a) documents proving ownership or the legal basis for use of the land, such as a title deed, a lease agreement, a concession agreement, etc.; (b) a solemn declaration on compliance with Article 5(1); (c) a technical report meeting, where applicable, the specifications and requirements of Article 5 hereof, based on the capacity and types of animals to be accommodated in the shelter, including: (ca) a topographic diagram, a coverage diagram and a description of the facilities (e.g. infrastructure, premises, buildings, etc., as appropriate); (cb) the type and number of animals living in the shelter; (cc) a description of the equipment, water supply and the method of wastewater collection.

The operating licence shall be granted upon application by the beneficiary, accompanied by a file containing the following supporting documents: (a) Establishment licence. (b) A descriptive report setting out: (ba) the operation of the shelter in accordance with the specifications and requirements of Article 5 of Joint Ministerial Decision No 1616/09.01.2023 (Government Gazette, Series II, No 135/17-01-2023), its capacity and the types of pets it accommodates, as appropriate; (bb) how dead animals are disposed of; and (bc) the natural disaster management plan. (c) Building permit or certificate from the competent engineer, as appropriate. (d) Appointment of a manager responsible for the running of the shelter to ensure the welfare of accommodated animals. (e) Solemn declaration from a veterinarian, holder of a valid professional licence, confirming that he/she undertakes the health supervision and oversight of the shelter. (f) A list of the staff or volunteers who will be working at the shelter.

The licence to establish a shelter shall be valid for a period of three (3) years, within which the holder of the licence must have obtained the operating licence.

What you will need

Identification and signature verification means
Identification document

  • Application / solemn declaration Two (2) applications are required: Application for a licence to establish a business and application for an operating licence.
    Filed by
    Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
    Note
    The specifications for the establishment and operation of shelters are laid down exclusively by the provisions of Articles 28 and 29 of Law 4830/2021 and the provisions of Joint Decision No 1616/9.1.2023 (Government Gazette, Series II, No 135/17-01-2023) of the Alternate Minister for the Interior and the Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Food.
    Applicant status
    Legal entities, Persons
Ministry of Digital Governance LogoEUGO LogoGovGR Logo
Licence for the Establishment and Operation of Shelters for Stray Pets
What you will need
1For the establishment licence: technical reportTechnical study'
Filed by
Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Applicant status
Legal entitiesPersons
Notes
A technical report meeting, where applicable, the specifications and requirements of Article 5 of the Joint Ministerial Decision, based on the capacity and types of animals to be accommodated in the shelter, including: a) a topographic diagram, a coverage diagram and a description of the facilities (e.g. infrastructure, premises, buildings, etc., as appropriate); b) the type and number of animals living in the shelter; c) a description of the equipment, water supply and the method of wastewater collection.
2For the establishment licence: documents proving ownership or the legal basis for use of the land, such as a title deed, a lease agreement, a concession agreement, etc.Property titles
Filed by
Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Applicant status
Legal entitiesPersons
3For the establishment licence: a solemn declaration on compliance with Article 5(1) of Joint Decision No 1616/09.01.2023 (Government Gazette, Series II, No 135/17.01.2023) of the Deputy Minister for the Interior and the Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Food.Solemn Declaration
Filed by
Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Applicant status
Legal entitiesPersons
Notes
The licence to establish a shelter shall be valid for a period of three (3) years, within which the holder of the licence must have obtained the operating licence.
4For the operating licence: establishment licenceEstablishment license
Filed by
Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Applicant status
Legal entitiesPersons
5For the operating licence: descriptive reportReport
Filed by
Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Applicant status
Legal entitiesPersons
Notes
A descriptive report reflecting: a) the operation of the shelter in accordance with the specifications and Requirements of Article 5 of Joint Ministerial Decision No 1616/09.01.2023 (Government Gazette, Series II, No 135/17-01-2023), its capacity and the types of pets it accommodates, as appropriate; b) how dead animals are disposed of; and c) the natural disaster management plan.
6For the operating licence: a building permit or certificate from the competent engineer, as appropriateΒuilding permit
Filed by
Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Applicant status
Legal entitiesPersons
7For the operating licence: appointment of a manager responsible for the running of the shelter to ensure the welfare of accommodated animals.Rule
Filed by
Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Applicant status
Legal entitiesPersons
8For the operating licence: (a) a solemn declaration from the veterinarian confirming that he/she undertakes the health supervision and oversight of the shelter; (b) a valid professional licence of the named veterinarian issued by the Geotechnical Chamber of Greece.Licence to practice profession
Filed by
Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Applicant status
Legal entitiesPersons
Notes
To determine and prove the legality of the named veterinarian in charge
9For the operating licence: a list of the staff or volunteers who will be working at the shelterStatus of staff / associates
Filed by
Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Applicant status
Legal entitiesPersons

Legislation

  • Description
    Amendment to Article 9 of Law 4039/2012 (Collection and management of stray pet animals). Other amendments and addition of Article 17A to Law 4039/2012.
    Legal references
    Link

  • Description
    Laying down more specific matters relating to the procedure, the bodies, the necessary supporting documents and any other details for the authorisation of pet shelters in accordance with Articles 28 and 29 of Law 4830/2021 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 169), and the administrative penalties imposed in the event of their violation.
    Legal references
    Link

  • Description
    New framework for the welfare of pets – ARGOS programme and other provisions.
    Legal references
    Link

About

Process code
987316
NACE code
75
Description of NACE code
Veterinary activities
Legal means of protection or appeal
Other Administrative Redress / Appeal
Rules for non-response by the competent authority and legal consequences
Tacit approval

In case of expiration of the above deadline, the approval is considered issued according to article 14 of Law 3844/2010 (tacit approval) and the applicant can request a formal attestation from the competent authority (par.4, Art.10 of Law 3230/2004)

Other Information

Languages supported
English, Greek

Remarks

Shelters operating on 18 September 2021 are required to obtain a licence, in accordance with the requirements of Articles 28 and 29, by 31 December 2025. Decisions ordering the sealing of shelters are suspended until the above date, unless a report by the competent authorities establishes that the lives of accommodated animals are at risk. If the above shelters are not licensed by 31 December 2025, they may continue to operate until 31 December 2027, without being permitted to admit new pets, and with the sole purpose of caring for and rehoming the already accommodated animals. If, during the period referred to in the preceding paragraph, a report by the competent authorities establishes that new pets are being admitted to unlicensed shelters or that the lives of accommodated animals are at risk, such shelters shall be sealed off. The commencement of operations or the relocation of an animal shelter must be notified in writing within ten (10) days to the competent veterinary authority and the relevant police station Article 4(5) of Joint Ministerial Decision No 1616/2023 (Government Gazette, Series II, No 135).

ID: 987316

Name: Licence for the Establishment and Operation of Shelters for Stray Pets

Block

Feedback on Single Market Obstacles

Info

Assistance Service Finder

Help_us_improve

Feedback on quality