The basics: EU pet travel rules that Portugal follows
Portugal is a member of the European Union, so it applies the EU rules on non-commercial pet movement. These rules exist mainly to keep out rabies, a highly contagious viral disease, and what applies to you depends on your pet's species and your country of origin. The import requirements and travel requirements below are the EU framework as Portugal applies it.
A few concepts decide almost everything:
- Non-commercial movement. This is you, the pet owner, travelling with five or fewer pets that are not being sold or transferred to a new owner. You (or a designated person you authorise in writing) must travel within five days of your pet. This is the normal expat scenario and the one this guide focuses on.
- Commercial movement. This applies if you move more than five pets, if the animals travel far apart from you in time, or if the move is for a commercial purpose such as sale or transfer of ownership. Commercial movement uses a commercial health certificate, and its rules and timelines are stricter. If you are a single pet owner relocating with your own dog or cat, you are almost certainly in the non-commercial category.
- Listed vs unlisted countries. The EU sorts non-EU countries by rabies risk. Listed countries (including the US, UK, Canada and Australia) have fewer requirements. Unlisted countries require a rabies antibody (titer) test.
- Point of entry (PEV). If your pet arrives by air, it must land at a designated Traveller's Point of Entry, normally Lisbon, Porto or Faro. You must notify that PEV at least 48 hours before arrival.
- DGAV. The Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária is the Portuguese authority for animal health and imports. Its site is the official source, but it is not easy to navigate.
A tip that comes up repeatedly from people who have done this: contact the airport vet who will receive your pet in Portugal (or in your EU country of entry) ahead of time, send your documents over, and confirm everything before you fly.
What are the requirements for pets to enter Portugal?
Whatever the species, two things are almost always in play: identification and paperwork. The requirements for pets to enter Portugal start with the microchip, then branch depending on where you travel from.
Microchip. Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785-compliant, 15-digit microchip. If the species needs a rabies vaccination, the chip must be implanted before the vaccine, otherwise the vaccination does not count for travel. If your pet has an older, non-ISO chip, you must bring your own scanner.
What documents are required for pet travel?
The documents required for pet travel depend on where you are coming from.
- From inside the EU: an EU pet passport issued by an authorised EU vet is generally enough. It records the microchip, rabies vaccination and health details.
- From outside the EU: you need an EU health certificate completed by a licensed vet in your country of origin (a USDA-accredited vet if you are in the US) and endorsed by the relevant government authority (USDA APHIS in the US). The endorsed certificate must reach the EU within 10 days of endorsement, and it stays valid for onward travel inside the EU for four months (or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first).
On top of that, you must send an advance notice of arrival to the PEV at least 48 hours before your pet lands, and your pet will get a documentary and identity check on arrival.


















