Bringing Pets to Portugal (2026): Rules for Dogs and Cats, Step by Step

Last updated: September 2026

For many people, choosing a new country isn't the hard part. Making sure their dog or cat can come too is. The good news: bringing a pet to Portugal is very doable. It just takes planning, because the rules are strict, the timing matters, and for some countries the process starts months before your flight.

This guide covers the rules for bringing dogs and cats to Portugal from outside the EU, including the US, the UK and Brazil, what happens at the airport, and what you need to do after you arrive.

Quick answer

To bring a dog or cat to Portugal from outside the EU, your pet needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel (for a first vaccination), and an official health certificate. Pets from countries with a higher rabies risk, such as Brazil, also need a rabies antibody blood test and a 90-day wait before traveling. You must notify the airport's veterinary checkpoint at least 48 hours before arrival, and once in Portugal, register your pet in the national SIAC database if you stay 120 days or more.

Bringing pets to Portugal at a glance

Requirement	What it means
Who handles it	DGAV, Portugal's veterinary authority
How many pets	Up to 5, traveling with you (or an authorized person within 5 days)
Microchip	Required, before the rabies vaccine
Rabies vaccine	From 12 weeks of age; wait 21 days after a first vaccination
Blood test	Only from countries with rabies risk (e.g. Brazil); then a 90-day wait
Health certificate	Issued by your country's official authority, not a private vet
Arrival notice	To the entry point, at least 48 hours before arrival
Arrival inspection fee	€43.17 for one pet, €86.34 for two or more
After arrival	Register in SIAC if staying 120 days or more

Who sets the rules for bringing pets to Portugal?

The Portuguese authority is DGAV (Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária), the national food and veterinary agency. The rules come from EU law, and they were recently updated: according to DGAV, new rules under EU Delegated Regulation 2026/131 replaced the previous ones (Regulation 576/2013) from April 22, 2026. If you read older guides, some details, like the waiting period after a blood test, may be out of date.

This guide covers non-commercial travel: up to 5 dogs or cats that aren't being sold or transferred, traveling with their owner, or with a person authorized by the owner within 5 days before or after the owner's own trip. If you travel with more than 5 animals, or your pet travels on its own outside that window, commercial import rules apply instead.

Step 1: microchip your pet

Your pet must be identified with a microchip. DGAV explains that microchips should meet the ISO 11784 and 11785 standards; if your pet's chip doesn't, you'll need to bring a reader that can scan it. Tattoos are only accepted for animals identified before July 3, 2011, with written proof.

The order matters: the rabies vaccination can't be dated before the microchip was implanted (the same day is accepted). A vaccine given before the chip doesn't count, and your pet would need to be vaccinated again.

Step 2: rabies vaccination

According to DGAV, the rabies vaccination is valid if:

your pet was at least 12 weeks old and already microchipped when vaccinated;
at least 21 days have passed since a first vaccination;
any booster was given following the vaccine's requirements in the country where it was given (otherwise it counts as a new first vaccination);
the vaccine's validity is recorded on your pet's documents.

DGAV also states that puppies and kittens under 12 weeks, or between 12 and 16 weeks with a rabies vaccine given less than 21 days earlier, can't enter from outside the EU.

Step 3: rabies blood test (only from some countries)

Whether you need this step depends on where your pet is coming from.

No blood test needed if you're traveling from a country on the EU list of listed non-EU countries. Check the list for your country before you plan.
Blood test needed if your country isn't on that list. DGAV gives examples of countries with rabies risk, including countries in Africa, Brazil, Venezuela and Ukraine.

If the test applies to you, DGAV says:

the blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, in an EU-approved laboratory;
your pet can only travel 90 days after the blood sample was taken (under the new rules; older guides mention 3 months).

That means that for a pet coming from Brazil, for example, the process realistically takes around four months or more from the first vaccination to the flight. It's the single most common reason people have to change their moving dates.

One route to avoid: if your journey passes through a country with rabies risk, DGAV says your pet can't leave the airport's international zone there, and you'll need a signed declaration confirming it.

Step 4: the official health certificate

This is the step that causes the most confusion. According to DGAV, the health certificate must be issued by your country's official veterinary authority, not by a private vet. Most non-EU countries have their own certificate model, so check with your national authority. In the US, for example, that's the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which endorses certificates prepared by accredited vets.

Along with the certificate, you'll need proof of:

identification (microchip);
rabies vaccination;
the blood test result, if it applies to you.

A few practical points from DGAV:

Only the owner's name should appear on the certificate, even if someone else travels with your pet.
If an authorized person travels with your pet, they need your written authorization, attached to the certificate.
For countries without their own model, DGAV publishes a certificate template valid from April 22, 2026. Certificates using the previous model are accepted during a transition period until March 31, 2027, if issued before October 1, 2026.

Health certificates have a limited validity window before travel, so confirm the timing with your country's authority and book the appointment accordingly.

Step 5: notify the airport at least 48 hours before arrival

This is the step people most often forget. According to DGAV, you (the owner or authorized person, not the airline) must contact the Travellers' Point of Entry (Ponto de Entrada dos Viajantes, PEV) at your arrival airport as early as possible, and at least 48 hours before arrival. You fill in DGAV's form (available in English) and send it, with your documents, to that entry point's contact address.

Two details worth knowing:

DGAV warns that documents sent to other addresses may not be reviewed in time.
At Lisbon airport, the entry point is closed between midnight and 6 am. If your flight lands at night, plan for that.

What happens when you land in Portugal?

Your pet is checked at the Travellers' Point of Entry. A DGAV veterinarian verifies the documents and identification. There's a fee for this inspection, which DGAV lists as €43.17 for one animal and €86.34 for two or more, subject to updates. Assistance dogs for people with disabilities are exempt from the fee.

DGAV is very clear about what happens if the rules aren't met: the first step is sending the animal back to its country of origin, and as a last resort euthanasia may be considered, with costs charged to the owner. Penalties may also apply. This is why following every step, in the right order, matters so much.

How much does it cost to bring a pet to Portugal?

There's no single price, because most costs depend on your country, your vet and your airline. The main cost items are:

Cost item	What it depends on
Microchip and rabies vaccine	Your vet's prices
Rabies blood test	Only for some countries; approved lab and vet fees
Official health certificate	Your country's authority fees, plus the vet visit to prepare it
Airline fee	Cabin, checked baggage or cargo; size and route
Arrival inspection in Portugal	€43.17 for one pet, €86.34 for two or more (DGAV)
Pet relocation company (optional)	Service level and route

The inspection fee is the amount published by DGAV at the time of writing and can be updated. Other costs vary widely by country, provider and airline, so get quotes early. Pet transport costs are also worth building into your overall budget, as covered in our guide to the real cost of moving to Portugal.

Flying with your pet: check your airline early

Airlines have their own rules, which often matter as much as the legal requirements. Things to check with your airline before booking:

whether your pet can fly in the cabin, as checked baggage or only as cargo;
size and weight limits for the cabin;
restrictions for short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds, which many airlines limit;
seasonal temperature restrictions for animals in the hold.

After you arrive: register your pet in SIAC

Portugal has a national pet database called SIAC (Sistema de Informação de Animais de Companhia). According to DGAV, dogs, cats and ferrets that enter Portugal from abroad must be registered in SIAC if they stay 120 days or more. Registration is done by a vet accredited in SIAC, so book an appointment at a local veterinary clinic.

Once your pet lives in Portugal, your vet can also issue an EU pet passport. According to DGAV, passports can only be issued if the owner's usual, main residence is in the EU, which makes it a useful document once you're settled here, especially if you plan to travel within Europe.

Do you have a potentially dangerous dog breed?

Portugal has specific rules for dog breeds classified as potentially dangerous under Portaria 422/2004, which include breeds such as the Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier, as well as certain crosses. According to the SIAC FAQ, DGAV also considers dogs classified as American Bully to fall into this group.

If your dog is one of these breeds:

its SIAC registration must be done by the municipal vet (médico veterinário municipal), not a private one;
if you stay 4 months or more, you'll need a license from your local parish council (junta de freguesia). According to DGAV, this involves documents such as liability insurance, your criminal record certificate and proof that you've completed a training course for owners of these breeds.

If this applies to you, check the full requirements with DGAV before you travel.

Can I rent in Portugal with a dog or cat?

Yes, but it takes a little more searching. Finding a pet-friendly rental is one of the challenges newcomers mention most often, particularly for larger dogs and in the busiest city rental markets.

What the law says:

Landlords can say no. Leases are based on contractual freedom, so a landlord can include a clause that doesn't allow pets. Assistance dogs are the exception.
There's a limit per home. Under Decree-Law 314/2003 (article 3), apartments and other urban homes can house up to three adult dogs or four adult cats, with a maximum of four animals in total. Up to six may be allowed in exceptional cases, with approval from the municipal vet and health authority.
Building rules can matter too. In apartment buildings, the condominium's rules may address pets, especially in shared areas, so it's worth asking about them.

Practical tips that make pet-friendly rentals easier to find:

Mention your pet from the first contact, with its size, age and temperament. Surprises later rarely go well.
Get the permission in writing in your lease, not just a verbal "no problem".
Prepare a short "pet CV": vaccination record, a reference from a previous landlord if you have one, and a photo. It helps landlords say yes.
Consider houses or ground-floor apartments if you have a larger dog. They're often easier to negotiate and better for daily life.
Expect some landlords to ask for extra guarantees, such as a larger deposit, and agree on the terms clearly before signing.
Look beyond the busiest neighborhoods. Outside city centers, you'll often find more houses with outdoor space.

Our guide on how to rent a home in Portugal covers contracts, deposits and what to check before signing.

Is Portugal pet friendly? Life with a pet after you arrive

Many newcomers find Portugal a pleasant country to live in with a dog or cat, with plenty of parks, walking trails and outdoor café terraces. A few things are worth knowing:

Find a vet early. Veterinary clinics (clínicas veterinárias) are easy to find in most towns, and you'll need one anyway for the SIAC registration. Many vets in cities speak English.
Keep vaccinations up to date. Portugal has a national rabies control program, and your vet will set the right vaccination and booster schedule for your pet.
Consider pet insurance. Vet costs vary a lot between clinics and treatments, and pet insurance is widely available in Portugal. Compare what's covered before choosing.
Check local rules for beaches and transport. Rules for dogs on beaches, especially during the bathing season, and on public transport vary by place and operator, so check before you go.
Pick up after your dog. It's required, and neighbors notice.

Pet relocation company or DIY?

Many people handle the process themselves, especially when their pet can fly in the cabin and comes from a listed country like the US or UK. A pet relocation company can make sense if your pet has to fly as cargo, if you're coming from a country that requires the blood test, or if you simply want someone else to manage the timing and paperwork. Either way, the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements stays with you as the owner.

FAQ

Can I bring my dog from the US to Portugal?

Yes. Your dog needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (with a 21-day wait after a first vaccination) and an official health certificate endorsed by the USDA's APHIS. Check the EU list of listed countries: if the US is on it when you travel, no rabies blood test is needed.

Do pets have to quarantine in Portugal?

Pets that meet all the requirements are checked at the airport's entry point rather than placed in quarantine. If the requirements aren't met, DGAV says the first step is returning the animal to its country of origin.

How long does it take to prepare a pet for Portugal?

From a listed country, a few weeks can be enough if your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated. From a country that requires the rabies blood test, like Brazil, plan for around four months or more, because of the 30-day wait before the test and the 90-day wait after it.

Do I need to notify anyone before flying with my pet to Portugal?

Yes. You must contact the Travellers' Point of Entry at your arrival airport at least 48 hours before arrival, using DGAV's form. This must be done by you or your authorized person, not by the airline.

How much is the pet inspection fee at the airport in Portugal?

DGAV lists €43.17 for one animal and €86.34 for two or more, subject to updates. Assistance dogs for people with disabilities are exempt.

Is Portugal pet friendly?

Many newcomers find it a pleasant place to live with pets, with parks, trails and outdoor terraces. The main challenge tends to be finding a rental that accepts pets, so start that search early.

Can I rent in Portugal with a dog?

Yes, but landlords can refuse pets in the lease, so mention your dog from the first contact and get permission in writing. By law, urban homes can house up to three adult dogs or four adult cats, with a maximum of four animals in total.

Do I need to register my pet after moving to Portugal?

Yes, if your dog, cat or ferret stays in Portugal for 120 days or more, it must be registered in the SIAC database by an accredited vet.

Pet travel rules changed in April 2026 and can change again. This guide reflects DGAV's published information at the time of writing and covers dogs and cats; other animals have different rules. Because non-compliance can lead to your pet being returned to its country of origin, confirm every requirement and date for your specific case directly with DGAV, your country's official veterinary authority and your airline before you travel.

New to moving to Portugal? See every step in our Start Here guide.

Get Your Free Portugal Move Checklist

35 steps from visa to your first 90 days, plus our newsletter with new and updated guides.

Get the free checklist

100% free. No payment, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Related articles:

Nomad Compass Portugal

Search This Blog