Bringing a pet to Portugal

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

Portugal enforces strict, origin-dependent entry rules for dogs, cats, and ferrets. There is no routine quarantine for compliant pets from EU or listed low-risk countries, but animals from high-rabies-risk areas face mandatory post-arrival isolation. Expect a full microchip, rabies vaccination, and EU health certificate or equivalent; blood titre testing is required for pets from unlisted third countries.

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 · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Portugal bans the import of certain dog breeds considered dangerous: Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, Tosa Inu, and their crosses. Owners of these breeds must obtain a special license and comply with muzzle/leash requirements. Check with the Portuguese Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) for current list.

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport or third-country health certificate (Annex IV form for non-EU)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250 if required, import permit fees vary by country — confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

From EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, etc.) the process is identical to EU intra-community travel.

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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Portugal bans the import of certain dog breeds considered dangerous: Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, Tosa Inu, and their crosses. Owners of these breeds must obtain a special license and comply with muzzle/leash requirements. Check with the Portuguese Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) for current list.

Documents checklist

  • Third-country health certificate (Annex IV form)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250 if required, import permit fees vary by country — confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No titer test needed for low-risk origins. The health certificate must be endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country (e.g., USDA in the US).

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 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Portugal bans the import of certain dog breeds considered dangerous: Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, Tosa Inu, and their crosses. Owners of these breeds must obtain a special license and comply with muzzle/leash requirements. Check with the Portuguese Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) for current list.

Documents checklist

  • Third-country health certificate (Annex IV form)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip proof
  • Rabies titer test (FAVN) certificate

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250 if required, import permit fees vary by country — confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

The titer test result must show a level of at least 0.5 IU/ml. No quarantine upon arrival, but the 3-month waiting period after the titer test effectively delays entry.

DGAV Portugal

Frequently asked questions

A dog must be at least 12 weeks old to receive its rabies vaccination, and then must wait 21 days after that vaccination before entering Portugal. So the earliest a dog can enter is 15 weeks old (12 weeks + 21 days).
No. The United States is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. A rabies titer test is not required for dogs entering Portugal from the US. You only need a microchip, rabies vaccination, and a USDA-endorsed health certificate.
You may bring up to 5 dogs as a non-commercial traveller without needing an import permit. If you bring more than 5, you must prove they are for non-commercial purposes (e.g., attending a competition) or commercial rules apply, requiring additional documentation and fees.
No. Emotional support animals are not exempt from any import requirements. They must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and titer test (if applicable) rules as any other pet dog. Service dogs (guide dogs, etc.) may have slightly relaxed rules but still require documentation.
The rabies vaccination must be valid on the day of entry. If it expires before you travel, your dog must be revaccinated and you must wait another 21 days before entering Portugal. Always ensure the vaccine's validity covers your travel date.
No. Since the UK left the EU, UK-issued pet passports are no longer valid for entry into Portugal. You must use a third-country health certificate (Annex IV form) endorsed by the UK government (APHA). The same applies to dogs from the US, Canada, Australia, etc.
No quarantine is required upon arrival. However, dogs from high-risk countries must undergo a rabies titer test and then wait 3 months after the blood sample is taken before they can enter Portugal. This effectively acts as a pre-entry waiting period, not a quarantine at the destination.

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 · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU Pet Passport (issued by an EU vet) or third-country health certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€50-100, rabies vaccine ~€30-60. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

Cats from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican, Switzerland) follow the same rules as EU-origin pets. No titer test or import permit needed.

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-accredited vet in the US, APHA in the UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Third-country health certificate (modelo oficial da UE) endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country
  • Rabies vaccination certificate with microchip number and vaccine details
  • Declaration of non-commercial movement (Annex IV of EU Reg 576/2013)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€100-200, rabies vaccine ~€30-60. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

Cats from low-risk countries (e.g. USA, UK, Japan, Australia) do not need a rabies titer test or import permit. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the origin's official veterinary service.

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 · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Third-country health certificate (modelo oficial da UE) endorsed by the competent authority
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Rabies antibody titration test (FAVN) certificate from an EU-approved laboratory
  • Import permit from DGAV (Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária)
  • Declaration of non-commercial movement (Annex IV of EU Reg 576/2013)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€100-200, rabies vaccine ~€30-60, FAVN titer test ~€100-250, import permit fees ~€50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DGAV.

Cats from high-risk countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, India) must have a valid rabies titer test and an import permit from DGAV. The 3-month waiting period after the titer test must be completed before travel. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

DGAV Portugal

Frequently asked questions

You may bring up to 5 cats per person under the non-commercial pet travel rules (EU Regulation 576/2013). If you bring more than 5, commercial rules apply — you'll need a commercial health certificate, an EU health mark, and may need to use a registered transporter.
No. The United States is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. A rabies titer test is not required for cats entering Portugal from the US. You still need a microchip, rabies vaccine (given at least 21 days before travel), and a USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival.
The rabies vaccine must be valid on the day of travel. If the vaccine has expired, your cat must be revaccinated and then wait 21 days before entering Portugal. There is no grace period for expired vaccines.
No. Portugal does not recognise emotional support animals as a separate category under EU pet travel rules. All cats must meet the standard microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements regardless of their role. Service dogs (guide dogs) may have slightly different rules, but not cats.
Yes, but the kitten must be at least 12 weeks old to receive a rabies vaccine. If the kitten is younger than 12 weeks, it cannot be vaccinated and therefore cannot enter Portugal under the standard rules. The minimum age for entry is 12 weeks with a valid rabies vaccination given at that age, plus a 21-day wait period — so the earliest entry is 15 weeks old.
Only if you are travelling from a high-risk rabies country. For low-risk countries (e.g. UK, USA, Japan, Australia), no import permit is needed. For high-risk countries, you must obtain an import permit from DGAV before travel.
TAP Air Portugal, Lufthansa, KLM, and Air France generally allow cats in cabin (up to 8 kg including carrier) or as checked baggage. Each airline has its own brachycephalic breed restrictions — check with the carrier. All require an EU-compliant health certificate and microchip. Book early as pet spaces are limited.

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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with date of vaccination and vaccine details)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (model for non-commercial movement) issued within 10 days of travel
  • Declaration of non-commercial movement (signed by owner)

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Ferrets from EU-equivalent countries (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, etc.) follow the same rules as EU-origin 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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with date of vaccination and vaccine details)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (model for non-commercial movement) issued within 10 days of travel
  • Declaration of non-commercial movement (signed by owner)

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Ferrets from low-risk countries (e.g., US, UK, Japan, Australia) must enter via a Traveller's Point of Entry (TPE) in Portugal.

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 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with date of vaccination and vaccine details)
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml, from an EU-approved laboratory)
  • Import permit from DGAV
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (model for non-commercial movement) issued within 10 days of travel
  • Declaration of non-commercial movement (signed by owner)

Rough budget

Rough estimate only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Ferrets from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, India) face stricter rules: mandatory FAVN titer test and import permit.

DGAV Portugal

Frequently asked questions

Yes. For ferrets from high-risk countries, a FAVN titer test is mandatory. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and at least 3 months before travel. The result must show at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be done at an EU-approved laboratory.
You may bring up to 5 ferrets per person under the non-commercial pet travel scheme. If you bring more than 5, commercial import rules apply, requiring additional health certifications and possibly quarantine.
No. Portugal does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard pet import rules. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit requirements.
No. Rabies vaccination is not permitted before 12 weeks of age, and the 21-day waiting period after vaccination means the ferret must be at least 15 weeks old at the time of travel. No exceptions for younger ferrets.
Portugal requires rabies vaccinations to be valid at the time of entry. If the vaccine expires during your stay, you are not required to revaccinate for the return trip, but you must ensure the vaccine is valid for re-entry into your home country. Check your home country's rules.
Ferrets from non-EU countries must enter through a Traveller's Point of Entry (TPE) in Portugal. These include Lisbon Airport (LIS), Porto Airport (OPO), and Faro Airport (FAO). For ferrets from EU countries, any entry point is acceptable.
The import permit from DGAV costs approximately €50-100, depending on processing fees. You must apply at least 30 days before travel. The permit is valid for 10 days from the date of issue.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination. If the chip is not ISO-compliant, you must bring your own reader.

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).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Portugal's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.