Bringing a pet to Portugal

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Portugal is an EU member state applying the EU Pet Travel Scheme. Rules are tiered by the rabies-risk status of the origin country: pets from EU-equivalent or low-risk countries need a microchip, rabies vaccination, and a health certificate, while pets from high-risk countries also need a rabies titer test. Start the process at least 4 months before travel if a titer test is needed, and carry original documents for border checks.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Portugal.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or authorized veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Breed restrictions

Portugal does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. However, some airlines may refuse to transport brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, and Boston Terriers due to respiratory risks. Additionally, certain breeds may be subject to local regulations in specific municipalities. Always check with your airline and local authorities.

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
EU pet passport or veterinary health certificate
Microchip certificate or proof of microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, health certificate €50–150, rabies vaccination €20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

For travel from EU-equivalent countries (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, etc.), an EU pet passport is sufficient. The pet must be microchipped before rabies vaccination. No titer test or quarantine required.

DGAV Portugal

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or authorized veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
Veterinary health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian
Microchip certificate or proof of microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, health certificate €50–150, rabies vaccination €20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

For travel from low-risk countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan, Australia), a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel is required. The pet must be microchipped before rabies vaccination. No titer test or quarantine required.

DGAV Portugal

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or authorized veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
FAVN titer test result from an approved laboratory
Veterinary health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian
Microchip certificate or proof of microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, health certificate €50–150, rabies vaccination €20–50, FAVN titer test €100–250. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

For travel from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a rabies titer test is required. The pet must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, then blood-tested at least 30 days later. Entry is allowed only 3 months after the successful titer test. No quarantine if all requirements are met.

DGAV Portugal

Frequently asked questions

A single non-commercial traveller may bring up to 5 pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) into Portugal without triggering commercial movement rules. If you bring more than 5, the shipment is considered commercial and must meet additional requirements, including an import permit and compliance with trade regulations. The 5-pet limit applies per traveller, and the pets must be for personal use, not for sale or transfer.

No. Portugal does not exempt emotional support animals or service dogs from the standard import requirements. All dogs entering Portugal must comply with microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate rules, regardless of their status. Service dogs may be allowed in the cabin under airline policies, but they still need the same veterinary documents. There is no waiver for titer tests or quarantine for service animals.

Dogs from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa) must have a rabies antibody titration test (FAVN) performed at an approved laboratory. The test must be done at least 30 days after rabies vaccination, and the result must be ≥0.5 IU/ml. After a successful test, you must wait 3 months (90 days) from the date the blood sample was taken before the dog can enter Portugal. The titer test is valid for the pet's lifetime as long as rabies vaccinations are kept up to date.

Yes. All dogs entering Portugal must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. The certificate must be endorsed by an official government veterinarian in the origin country. For EU countries, an EU pet passport replaces the health certificate. The certificate confirms the dog is healthy and fit to travel and that rabies vaccination is valid.

No, Portugal does not impose quarantine on dogs that meet all entry requirements. If your dog has a valid microchip, current rabies vaccination, and (if required) a passing titer test, it can enter without quarantine. However, if you arrive without the correct documents, the dog may be detained, returned, or placed in quarantine at your expense until requirements are met.

Portugal requires dogs to be identified with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. If your dog has a non-ISO microchip (common in the USA and Canada), you must carry a microchip reader that can read it, or have the dog re-microchipped with an ISO chip. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination to be considered valid.

Yes, but the UK is considered a low-risk country, not EU-equivalent for pet travel. Your dog must have an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old), and a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by an official UK veterinarian. No titer test or quarantine is required. The UK Pet Passport is no longer valid for EU entry; you need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Portugal.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or authorized private veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

EU pet passport (or equivalent) with rabies vaccination record
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Rabies vaccination certificate showing at least 21 days since primary vaccination
Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel (if no EU pet passport)

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€50-150, rabies vaccination ~€20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

For cats from EU/EEA countries or territories considered rabies-free (e.g., Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City), an EU pet passport is sufficient. No titer test or quarantine required. The cat must be at least 3 months old for rabies vaccination, and travel must occur at least 21 days after the primary vaccination.

DGAV Portugal

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS, DEFRA, or equivalent) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Veterinary health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of travel
Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Rabies vaccination certificate showing at least 21 days since primary vaccination

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€100-200, rabies vaccination ~€20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

For cats from low-risk non-EU countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan, Australia), a health certificate endorsed by the origin country's government veterinarian is required. The cat must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. No titer test or quarantine required. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival.

DGAV Portugal

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS, DEFRA, or equivalent) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Veterinary health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of travel
Proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Rabies vaccination certificate showing at least 21 days since primary vaccination
FAVN rabies titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory, showing antibody level ≥0.5 IU/ml
Declaration of compliance with titer test and waiting period

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€100-200, rabies vaccination ~€20-50, FAVN titer test ~€100-250. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

For cats from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a rabies titer test (FAVN) is mandatory. The test must be done at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. The cat must be microchipped and vaccinated. No quarantine required if all conditions are met. If titer test is not done or fails, the cat may be quarantined or refused entry.

DGAV Portugal

Frequently asked questions

Portugal follows EU rules: up to 5 pets (cats, dogs, ferrets) may be moved non-commercially per traveller. If you exceed 5, the movement is considered commercial and requires additional veterinary certification and possibly an import permit. For 5 or fewer, the standard pet travel rules apply.

Yes. Portugal does not exempt emotional support or service animals from import requirements. All cats, regardless of function, must comply with microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate rules. Airlines may have additional policies, but the country's import rules apply equally.

No. The USA is considered a low-risk country for rabies. A titer test is not required for cats from the USA. You need a microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival.

The cat must be at least 3 months (12 weeks) old for rabies vaccination. Travel can occur at least 21 days after the primary rabies vaccination, so the minimum age at entry is 15 weeks (about 3.5 months).

No. A microchip conforming to ISO 11784/11785 is mandatory. If your cat is not microchipped, it must be microchipped before rabies vaccination. If the microchip is not ISO-compliant, you must carry a reader, but this is not recommended.

If the titer test is not done or the result is below 0.5 IU/ml, the cat may be quarantined at the owner's expense or refused entry. The quarantine period is typically until the cat meets the requirements, which could be up to 6 months. It is crucial to complete the titer test at least 90 days before travel.

No. Portugal does not require an import permit for non-commercial movement of cats, regardless of origin country, as long as the cat meets the standard health requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and titer test if from a high-risk country).

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Portugal.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (or an EU-recognised equivalent) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

EU pet passport or equivalent official veterinary certificate
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Declaration of non-commercial movement (if applicable)

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccination ~€20–50, health certificate ~€50–150, EU pet passport ~€20–40 if issued in the EU. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

Ferrets are covered by the EU Pet Travel Scheme (Regulation (EU) No 576/2013) for non-commercial movement. Entry from EU/EEA countries is generally allowed with a pet passport and valid rabies vaccination. No quarantine for compliant pets.

DGAV Portugal

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (or USDA/APHIS-endorsed veterinarian for the US) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Official veterinary health certificate (issued within 10 days of travel)
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Proof of origin (e.g., owner's declaration, travel itinerary)

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccination ~€20–50, health certificate ~€100–200 (including endorsement), possible export endorsement fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

Ferrets from low-risk countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan, Australia) are subject to the EU Pet Travel Scheme. Portugal requires a health certificate and valid rabies vaccination. No quarantine if documents are in order.

DGAV Portugal

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country (or USDA/APHIS-endorsed veterinarian for the US) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by DGAV (apply in advance)
Official veterinary health certificate (issued within 10 days of travel)
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory (≥0.5 IU/ml, test at least 90 days after vaccination)
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Proof of origin and travel itinerary

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccination ~€20–50, FAVN titer test ~€100–250, import permit fee ~€50–150, health certificate ~€100–200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) require an import permit from DGAV, a rabies titer test, and a health certificate. No quarantine is imposed if all conditions are met, but the animal must enter through a designated point of entry. Start the process at least 4–6 months before travel.

DGAV Portugal

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Ferrets are covered by the EU Pet Travel Scheme (Regulation (EU) No 576/2013) for non-commercial movement. Requirements depend on the origin country: EU/EEA origins generally need a pet passport, microchip, and rabies vaccination; non-EU low-risk origins need an official veterinary health certificate plus microchip and rabies vaccination; high-risk origins also need a rabies titer test and a DGAV import permit.

Portugal follows EU rules: non-commercial movement is limited to 5 pets per traveller. If you bring more than 5 ferrets, they are considered commercial and must meet additional requirements (e.g., trade certificate, possible quarantine). For 5 or fewer, the non-commercial rules apply.

No. Portugal does not exempt emotional support or service animals from import requirements. All ferrets must comply with the same rules: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and for high-risk origins, titer test and import permit. Service animals may be allowed in the cabin, but import conditions remain.

A rabies titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) must be performed at an EU-approved laboratory at least 90 days after the rabies vaccination. The result must show at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be done at least 3 months before travel. This is required for ferrets from high-risk countries like Thailand, Russia, or most of Africa.

Start at least 4–6 months before travel. The rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 days before travel, but the titer test must be done at least 90 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel. So the minimum time from vaccination to travel is 90 days (for titer) plus 3 months? Actually, the titer test must be done at least 90 days after vaccination, and then you must wait at least 3 months after the test before travel. So total from vaccination to travel is at least 90 days + 90 days = 180 days (6 months). Plus import permit processing time. So plan for 6–8 months.

From the USA (low-risk), you need: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination certificate (at least 21 days old), an EU animal health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by APHIS within 10 days of travel. No titer test or import permit required. The certificate must be in English and the official language of Portugal (Portuguese) or accompanied by a translation.

No quarantine is required for ferrets entering Portugal if all import conditions are met (microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and for high-risk, titer test and import permit). However, if documents are not in order, the animal may be quarantined or refused entry at the owner's expense.

Good to know

Portugal follows EU Regulation 576/2013 for non-commercial movement of pets. The destination agency is the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV). All pets must be identified with an ISO 11784/11785 microchip or a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011. Rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of travel. For pets from high-risk countries, a rabies antibody titration test (FAVN) is required, with a waiting period of 3 months from the date of the blood sample. Portugal does not impose quarantine for pets that meet all requirements. Airlines may have additional requirements, especially for brachycephalic breeds.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Portugal, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).