Are you planning on moving to Portugal? Congrats! Portugal is a beautiful country with so much to offer. But there’s no way you’re going without your pet. Naturally, that is entirely understandable – it would be unfair for your furry companions not to be able to enjoy Portugal with you! But then, the question arises – “How can I bring my pet to Portugal?“. Thankfully, our guide below explains everything you need to know to bring your cat, dog, or other with you to Portugal.
Before you put your furry friend on the plane to Portugal, there are a few basic rules.
This one is rather easy, all you need to do is get your pet a EU Pet Passport. The EU Pet Passport is issued by your veterinarian at your country of origin and must be obtained before travel. The passport contains information on your animal’s vaccination history and health status. Your pet must also be microchipped before issuing an EU Pet Passport and the microchip must be ISO-compliant. If everything’s okay, you just need to wait 21 days after your companion gets the rabies vaccine (if it hasn’t yet) before traveling to Portugal. This is the only obligatory vaccine.
Once you have your companion’s EU Pet Passport, you just need to contact the port of entry into Portugal to let them know you are bringing an animal. Let’s recap – these are the documents you need to bring your pet with you to Portugal if travelling from an EU country:
Portugal is a member of the European Union and, as such, has specific requirements for importing animals from outside the EU. So, if your furry friend is a non-EU citizen, the steps are a little different. Instead of an EU Pet Passport, you must get the Official Health Certificate for Entry into the European Union, which is valid for 4 months upon its issue. It must be dated within ten days of arrival and state that your pet is free of disease and fit to travel. The other requirements are the same: the pet must be microshipped and have the rabies vaccine. Plus, you must submit a form informing the authorities of your pet’s arrival, at least 48 hours before. Be aware that the PEV (Pet Entry Point) in the Lisbon airport is closed between 12am and 6am, and Porto’s between 11pm and 7am.
It’s also important to note that these conditions vary between countries and airlines – you should always reach out and get informed before booking any tickets.
There are a few different ways you can transport your animal to Portugal. The most common method is by air, although this depends on the airline. For example, the most famous airline in Europe, Ryanair, does not allow pets on any flights, except for service dogs – when previously arranged. TAP, the only Portuguese airline, allows cats and dogs in regular flights, in the cabin or hold. All other animals are transported in TAP Air Cargo.
Again, this depends on the airline. On TAP flights, “only cats and dogs in their own soft container with a total weight (animal/animals + container) of up to 8kg / 17lb can be carried in the cabin”. The container must also fit under the seat (45x30x23cm). All pets that exceed this weight or can’t fit under the seat, must be carried in the hold, with the exception of assistance dogs.
This varies depending on distance and if you buy your pet’s ticket online or in person. For EU flights, you can expect to pay around 75€, while for intercontinental flights the cost can rise to around 170€.
Again, via TAP, only dogs and cats are allowed, in their own carrier, as long as they meet weight requirements:
If your cat or dog is heavier than this, then it must travel through TAP Air Cargo. The price also rises according to weight. For EU flights, you can expect to pay anywhere from 120€ to 230€, while for intercontinental, it can rise to 300€.
A plane is not always the best option for your pet, as they may be exposed to high altitudes and changes in cabin pressure during the flight. Another option is to transport your pet by sea, and this is often the best choice for large animals, such as horses. If you are driving to Portugal, you can also transport them by car, in case they’re small. This is a good option if you are only moving a short distance and if your pet is comfortable traveling in the car.
Whatever transport method you choose, ensure your pet has enough food and water for the journey and that they are comfortable and safe during the trip. It’s worth mentioning that you should book your pet’s transport as far in advance as possible. This is because, both by air and by boat, the space for people traveling with a pet can be limited, and you’ll want to book a spot before there is no space left.
Before bringing your dog to Portugal, it’s important to get informed on whether there are any restrictions for your dog’s breed. These are some “banned” dog breeds in Portugal:
Yes, the country is quite pet-friendly, with more than 4 million pets registered – that means almost half the population has a furry friend. In many restaurants and general establishments, you are also free to bring your dog inside, as long as it’s on a leash. Even if it is not allowed, you can always stay with them on the terrace or ‘esplanada’ (restaurants’ outdoor sitting space). Plus, there are many, many parks all over the country where you can freely walk your dog (or cat – that’s rather common these days!).
Even in terms of legislation, Portugal is very protective of animals, with various laws set in place to “punish” people who mishandle their pets or animals in general. For example, abandoning a pet has been a crime under the Portuguese Penal Code since 2014. Anyone who abandons a pet, endangering its food, its care or even its life, can be punished with a prison sentence of up to 8 months.
So, there you have it. All the basics on bringing your furry loved one with you on your move to Portugal. Just remember to start taking these steps well in advance before you move, and be sure that you make the experience as comfortable as possible for your pets. We hope this guide has helped answer your question, “Can I bring my pet to Portugal“. If you have any further questions about importing pets into Portugal, don’t hesitate to contact the port of entry, your veterinarian, or Pearls of Portugal for more information.
Costs can vary depending on the method chosen, size and breed of the pet and how far away you’re travelling from. For example, if bringing a dog on an intercontinental flight, you can expect to pay between 170 and 300€.
Only cats and dogs are allowed in regular commercial flights to Portugal, through TAP, the Portuguese airline, and others like Lufthansa and Air France. All others must travel through cargo or through other methods of transport, like ships.
Yes; however, there are different requirements. The bird must either:
This is a growing business niche in the country. Especially in areas like Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, it won’t be difficult to find adequate accommodations for your pet.
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2 Responses
I have no issue with most of the bird criteria BUT my parrot ( Umbrella Cockatoo ) cannot be without me as it’s proven parrots have emotions of a toddler and he may stop eating and give up on life if he thinks he’s been given away to people who don’t cuddle him, play with him, talk to him or feed him the particular foods he likes. If all the other criteria is met, does he have to be in 30 quarantine? 😢
Hi Laura, we can put you in contact with a specialist in order try check the possibilities and laws for this specific “bird case”. You can contact us via info@pearlsofportugal.com