Pet Transportation to Portugal

Taking a pet cat, dog or ferret to Portugal for personal (non-commercial) purposes

1.     Microchip Application

Action to be taken:

Your pet should be microchipped with a 15-digit microchip in accordance with ISO 11784/11785 standards. Micro chipping should be performed before rabies vaccination.

Location:

Authorized veterinarians.

Things to Watch Out For:

●      Rabies vaccination is invalid if administered before microchipping.

●      Request a "Microchip Application Certificate" from the veterinarian, including the microchip number and date of application.

2.     Rabies Vaccine

Action to be taken:

Following microchipping, a rabies vaccination must be administered. The vaccination must have been given at least 21 days before the animal enters Portugal.

Location:

Authorized veterinary clinics.

Things to Watch Out For:

●      The vaccination certificate must include the microchip number.

●      A waiting period of 21 days is mandatory for animals vaccinated for the first time.

●      1-year vaccination is recommended, although there is conflicting information on whether 3-year vaccines are accepted.

3.     Rabies Antibody (Titer) Test

Procedure:

At least 30 days after rabies vaccination, a blood sample should be taken and tested for titer (FAVN test). If the results are acceptable (≥0.5 IU/ml), a waiting period of 3 months starts from the date of blood collection.

Location:

Approved laboratories (e.g., Vet Control Institute, or other authorized labs in your country).

Things to Watch Out For:

●      Even if the test result is positive, it is mandatory to wait 3 months after the blood collection to enter Portugal.

●      The animal cannot be taken to Portugal until this process has been completed.

4.     Veterinary Health Certificate

Action to be taken:

A "Veterinary Health Certificate" must be obtained for the pet from the provincial/district directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Location:

Provincial/District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry in the region where the animal resides.

Things to Watch Out For:

●      The certificate must be obtained no more than 10 days before the trip.

●      You must submit documents confirming microchip registration, rabies vaccination, and titer test.

5.     Flight Organization

Action to be taken:

The appropriate flight should be booked according to the mode of transportation of the pet (in the cabin, in the cargo hold or as separate cargo).

Location:

Preferred airline.

Things to Watch Out For:

●      Each airline has different pet transportation rules.

●    Before booking a flight, the airline should be contacted to find out the conditions of transportation.

●    Cargo transportation may be restricted for some breeds due to the heat, especially in summer.

6.     Prior Notification to Portugal Airport Veterinary Office

Procedure:At least 48 hours prior to arrival in Portugal, the veterinary office of the destination airport must be notified by e-mail.

Location:

Portugal Airports (e.g. Lisboa, Porto, Faro).

Documents to be sent:

●      Microchip certificate;

●      Rabies vaccination certificate (microchip number);

●      Titer test result;

●      Veterinary Health Certificate from Turkey;

●      Flight details, address of residence in Portugal, contact details of the owner.

Email addresses:

●      Lisbon: pcflisboaa@dgav.pt

●      Porto: pcfportoa@dgav.pt

●      Faro: pets.entrypoint.fao@dgav.pt

7.     Arrival and Entry Procedures in Portugal

Action to be taken:

Upon arrival, the animal's documents are checked, a microchip scan is performed, and a veterinary examination is carried out. The entry process is completed by paying the required fee.

Things to Watch Out For:

●      The average veterinary check-up fee is 40 euros. It is recommended to have cash on hand.

●      Animals arriving by cargo must also go through customs clearance.

8.     Obtaining a Pet Passport in Portugal

Action to be taken:

Upon arrival in Portugal, a veterinary clinic should be contacted to issue an EU compliant pet passport.

Goal:

Thanks to this passport, the pet can travel freely within the European Union.

Important Notes:

●      There is a minimum age limit and a vaccination-titer test requirement for puppies to enter Portugal.

●      Some dog breeds (Pitbull, Rottweiler, etc.) may require special documents and permits.

The process is different for animal species such as birds, reptiles, rodents, etc.; separate assessments should be made.