Portugal Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Portugal pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering this country from non-EU countries. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Portugal will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and one of the following:

An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU or Northern Ireland pets)
An EU Health Certificate (non-EU-resident pets)
A government-issued Pet Passport from a part 1 listed third country (see EU COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS)
An Animal Health Certificate when entering Portugal from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales). UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.

Animals Eligible for These Requirements

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO PORTUGAL below.

Pets in Portugal

Pets are allowed to accompany you into commercial establishments, which includes shops and restaurants properly marked as “pet friendly” and only when accompanied by their owners. The law requires that pets must be secured with a short leash and must be tethered closely to their owners. Pets are permitted on public transport if they are clean, free of diseases and properly secured with a leash or proper carrier.

Veterinarians in Portugal must be licensed and adhere to standards set by the Portuguese Veterinary Medical Association, ensuring quality care. Some veterinary clinics offer alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and physiotherapy, catering to pet owners seeking complementary treatments. While many veterinarians speak English, especially in tourist areas, it’s a good idea to confirm this if you’re not fluent in Portuguese.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Portugal

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Portugal if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Portugal must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-8 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: EU Country Classifications

The European Union (EU) does not recognize any countries as rabies-free. Dogs, cats, and ferrets from all countries are subject to current rabies vaccination according to their regulations. The EU classifies countries as either:

The requirements to import a dog, cat, or ferret to Portugal will depend on the classification of your country of origin and whether your pet has entered an unlisted country within the past 4 months. Click on the links above to find your origination country’s classification.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their country of origin before reviewing import regulations for Portugal.

Step 2: Type of Transport

The European Union classifies the movement of pets as non-commercial or commercial. These pet import requirements apply to both non-commercial and commercial transports. Review the conditions below to determine whether your pet’s transport will be classified as non-commercial or commercial as the requirements for each type of transport are different.

Conditions for Non-Commercial Transport

• All pets must enter Portugal with or within five days of their owner*. Proof of travel will be required AND
• The transport applies to no more than five pets unless proof of participation in a competition or show is available, and pets are over six months of age AND
• The purpose of the transport must not be for adoption, sale, or exchange of ownership.

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations.

All pet owners transporting their pets under non-commercial regulations must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that their pet’s transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of their pet.

Unless all of the above conditions are satisfied, your pet must travel under commercial regulations.

Conditions for Commercial Transport

The pet is not traveling with or within five days of the owner* OR
The transport is greater than five pets under one owner’s passport OR
The purpose of the transport involves any change of ownership, adoption or commercial sale.

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations.

If any of the above conditions are met, then your pet must travel under commercial regulations. The importer must be registered in the origin country and have proof of the organization they represent. They also must have proof that this business or organization will be responsible for the import of the pet. The exporter must provide proof that they are registered in the exporting country.

Step 3: Pet Microchip

The third step to importing a dog, cat, or ferret to Portugal is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit, ISO 11784/11785-compliant pet microchip. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can either bring your own microchip scanner.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer’s or government’s database in your country.

A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification under the following conditions:

It was applied prior to July 3, 2011, and
The tattoo is clearly visible, and
Your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied, and
All rabies vaccinations after the tattoo was applied were kept current. (No rabies vaccinations were allowed to expire before boosters were administered.)

Step 4: Vaccinations

All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering Portugal must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted.

If entering Portugal from another EU Member State, part 1 or part 2 listed third country, your pet must wait at least 21 days after the primary rabies vaccination to travel. If entering Portugal from an unlisted third country, pets must wait for 30 days to have a licensed veterinarian administer a rabies titer test (next step).

In either case, do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.

Other Vaccinations: Pet owners should always consider healthy vaccinations against diseases such as:

canine distemper (also for ferrets)
canine hepatitis
canine leptospirosis
canine parvovirus
feline viral rhinotracheitis
feline panleukopenia
feline leukemia

These other vaccinations are always recommended when traveling internationally; however, proof of these vaccinations is not required when entering Portugal.

Exception: Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper when being transported commercially.

Step 5: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test, also known as a serology test, must be administered to pets entering Portugal from unlisted countries only. The test should be administered no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination is administered. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit.

This test measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. There are several kinds of rabies titer tests, although the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) is preferred.

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Portugal until three calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test and avoid denial of entry.

It is worth noting that some EU Member States require that serology levels be confirmed prior to leaving their country.

The test is valid to enter any EU Member State for the life of your pet if boosters are administered prior to the expiration of the previous rabies vaccination.

Step 6: Import Permit

Pet owners do not need an import permit when entering Portugal with a dog, cat, or ferret. Unaccompanied pets may need an import permit.

Step 7: Parasite Treatments

Pet owners should always protect their pets from internal and external parasites to keep them healthy when traveling internationally; however, proof of these treatments is not required for pets imported to Portugal.

Step 8: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires current health certificates in their pet import regulations, and Portugal is no exception. The type of health certificate required will depend on the type of transport the pet is traveling under: non-commercial or commercial.

Non-Commercial Transport to Portugal from an EU Member State or Part 1 Listed Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply unless your pet has entered an unlisted third country within 4 months of travel.

Resident Pets: Have a licensed veterinarian issue and update an EU Pet Passport or government-issued pet passport (Part 1 listed third countries) for your pet. A health check prior to travel is recommended and may be required by your air carrier.

An EU pet health certificate is not required for pets traveling to Portugal with a current Pet Passport.

Non-Resident Pets (visitors): If your pet has not lived in an EU Member State or Part 1 Listed Country for 4 months or you do not have a permanent address in origination country, then your pet will need a non-commercial EU Health Certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Non-Commercial Transport to Portugal from a Part 2 Listed or Unlisted Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 applies under the following conditions:

Your pet is originating from an unlisted country or
Your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel.

A licensed veterinarian must issue a non-commercial EU Health Certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

The EU pet health certificate for Portugal is good for transports of five or less dogs, cats or ferrets. The form is good for four months of travel within the EU if the rabies vaccination documented on the certificate does not expire during that time.

Commercial Transport to Portugal from an EU Member State

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply.

Your pet must travel from a licensed premise which is registered with the governing authority in your EU Member State
responsible for the import and export of animals.

Your veterinarian must obtain and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet.

Your pet must be inspected, and an Intratrade Health Certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of entry.

The transport must be recorded in the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) ahead of travel. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Commercial Transport to Portugal from a Part 1 and 2 Listed Third Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply.

Your pet must be inspected, and a commercial EU Health certificate must be issued and endorsed by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Commercial Transport to Portugal from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3, 4, and 5 apply.

Note: Pets can only enter Portugal from unlisted third countries under commercial regulations from these countries.

Your pet must be inspected, and a commercial EU Health Certificate must be issued and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Important information

Importing Dogs and Cats to Portugal from Malaysia and Australia

If your dog, cat or ferret is entering Portugal from peninsular Malaysia, the following additional conditions must be met:

Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.
Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.
Your pet has been tested with negative a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export.

Cats may only enter Portugal from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Importing Puppies, Kittens and Kits to Portugal

Unvaccinated puppies, kittens and kits are not permitted to enter Portugal from any country or EU Member State. Rabies vaccinations will not be recognized until 12 weeks of age and after microchipping. There is a 21-day wait for puppies, kittens and kits arriving from EU Member States and part 1 or 2 listed third countries.

Puppies and kittens entering from unlisted countries cannot do so until they are at least seven months of age to meet requirements.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy

Breeds Banned from Import to Portugal

Pet owners must sign a Statement of Responsibility for dogs staying in Portugal for less than 4 months and a notification document for dogs intending to reside in Portugal:

Brazilian Fila
Rottweiler
American Staffordshire Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Dogo Argentino
Tosa Inu
Pit Bull Terrier

Exceptions will be granted for those with pedigree documentation. Owners must enter Portugal with their dogs.

These breeds must be neutered or spayed if staying in Portugal for longer than four months.

Flying a Pet to Portugal

Commercial airlines which serve pets flying to Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon include Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Air Algérie, airBaltic, Air Canada, Air Europa, Air France, Sir Servia, Air Transat, Azores Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Egyptair, El Al, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Finnair, Iberia, KLM, LATAM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, Transavia, Turkish Airlines, Vueling and Wizz Air.

Flights to Portugal should be direct or transit through a listed third country (step 1) or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted third country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply. Entering Portugal with a Pet

Entering Portugal

Accompanied pets entering by air from non-EU countries must do so at the Border Inspection Post at international airports in Lisbon, Oporto, Faro, Funchal, Ponta Delgada, Terceira Island and Beja. Notice must be provided to notify border inspectors a minimum of 48 hours prior to arrival.

Pets can enter Portugal in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo according to airline pet policies. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.

There will be an inspection fee upon arrival.

If traveling under non-commercial regulations, your pet’s passport including all required documents will be checked and entered into TRACES.

All commercial transports, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in TRACES, and the responsible transporter must be registered.

Flights to Portugal should be direct or transit through an EU Member State, Part 1 or 2 Listed Third Country if possible*. If your pet transits through an Unlisted Third Country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Portugal. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

Exporting Resident Pets from Portugal

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Portugal for another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country should:

Be microchipped
Be vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age and
Wait for at least 21 days after primary vaccination before leaving Portugal (wait time will depend on destination country requirements).
Have a licensed veterinarian issue an EU Pet Passport (EU destinations) or Export Health Certificate in accordance with destination country requirements.
Provide other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements).

Exception: Exports to EU Member States that permit the entry of unvaccinated puppies and kittens.

Note that many part 1 listed third countries will have additional requirements in addition to a resident Pet Passport when returning to the country.

Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Portugal. Even if your pet is not entering an Unlisted Third Country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country.

All animals leaving Portugal for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate in accordance to their destination country requirements prior to the issuance of an export permit. This permit will be issued by agencies in the origin country responsible for the issuance of export permits.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Portugal

Other Animals

Domesticated rodents, rabbits, amphibians, and reptiles entering Portugal from other EU Member States and from part 1 and 2 listed third countries should travel with their owners under non-commercial regulations and be accompanied with a current health certificate.

Animals entering Portugal under commercial regulations from part 1 and 2 listed third countries must originate in a registered premise in an area not subject to bans for diseases specific to their species. Animals must be examined within 72 hours of travel and travel with a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. Reptiles must be tested for salmonella.

Any of the pets listed above entering Portugal must:

Be accompanied by their owner.
Be not more than five in number.
Be imported under non-commercial regulations only.
Have a current health certificate including identifying devices or features of the pet.
Be transported in crates or carriers compliant with the International Air Transport Association.
Have an Owner’s Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport
Enter transport in the TRACES System.
Enter Portugal at an approved Border Inspection Post. (Non-EU transports)
Provide notice of arrival at least 1 working day in advance.

Pet Bird Import (Non-Poultry)

Only birds who are originating from these non-EU countries will be permitted entry.

The bird is accompanied by the owner or owner’s representative.
The transport does not exceed 5 birds in number.
The bird must be identified by a non-removable, legible individual marking displaying an alpha-numeric code (clip, ring, microchip, transponder, ear tag) prior to isolation and any testing (see below).

Additional Requirements for Bird Imports from Non-EU Countries:

Birds must have undergone isolation for 30 days prior to export OR
Birds must have had two vaccinations against avian influenza with the H5 vaccine between 60 days and 6 months of import OR
Birds are subjected to four days of isolation in the origination country under the supervision of an authorized veterinarian and undergone a test to detect the H5 and H7 antigen or genome AND
Birds have had a PCR test for H5 and H7 avian influenza virus with negative result on one sample taken no sooner than the 7th day and no later than 14 days before import (a serological test is not sufficient)

Birds must be examined within 48 hours of transport and found free of any signs of disease or external parasites. A health certificate must be issued and include the following information: characteristics of the bird, species, sex, color, owner’s information, veterinarian’s information, details of any medical tests or treatments.

Birds must not be exposed to any other birds after the clinical examination and prior to import.

Birds must enter Portugal at an approved border inspection point: Lisbon

After entering Portugal, birds must be transferred directly to a private household or residency. The birds will be under surveillance during this time and must not be exposed to other birds for 30 days.

Birds that are subject to CITES regulations must be accompanied by additional permits (next step).

Birds that do not meet the above requirements will be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days when entering Portugal.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency of the Republic of Portugal if you suspect that your pet is covered by CITES regulations.

Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Learn more about CITES

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements for Portugal?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Portugal at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.

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Here’s what is included in the Portugal pet passport package:

Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Portugal from any country available in six languages
Required Vaccinations and Intervals
ISO-Compliant Microchip Information
Titer Test Instructions and Overview (required when entering from an unlisted country)
Approved EU laboratories for the titer test
Parasite Treatments
Border Inspection Posts
IATA Carrier and Crate Requirements
Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
Responsibilities of a Pet Transporter
FREE unlimited email support both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions

Also included at no additional cost:

Non-Commercial or Commercial EU Health Certificate for Portugal
Sample Completed Health Certificate for your Veterinarian
Microchip Certificate
Airline Health Certificate

Current Information

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Portugal pet import requirements.