Bringing a pet to São Tomé and Príncipe

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

São Tomé and Príncipe has moderate-to-strict pet import rules that vary by the animal's origin rabies-risk category. There is no mandatory quarantine for pets arriving from low-risk countries, but animals from high-risk areas face stricter requirements including possible isolation. Expect to provide proof of rabies vaccination, a health certificate, and in some cases a rabies titer test.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to São Tomé and Príncipe.

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

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • International health certificate
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

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

No additional requirements for free-tier origins.

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

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • International health certificate
  • Microchip documentation

Rough budget

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

No additional requirements for low-risk-tier origins.

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

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • International health certificate
  • Microchip documentation
  • FAVN titer test result
  • Import permit

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark 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.

Pets from high-risk origins face stricter requirements including a FAVN titer test and an import permit.

Frequently asked questions

Only if your dog originates from a high-risk rabies country. For free and low-risk origins, no titer test is required.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival.
No, there is no mandatory quarantine for dogs arriving from any origin, provided all documentation is in order.
São Tomé and Príncipe does not specify a limit for non-commercial pet movement, but bringing more than 5 dogs may trigger commercial import rules. Check with the Ministry of Agriculture for guidance.
No, emotional support and service dogs are not exempt from standard import requirements. They must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and any titer/permit rules as other dogs.
Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old to receive a rabies vaccination, which is required for entry. There is no separate minimum age for travel beyond that.
An import permit is required only if your dog originates from a high-risk rabies country. For free and low-risk origins, no permit is needed.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to São Tomé and Príncipe.

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 in the country of origin · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the São Tomé and Príncipe veterinary authority.

All documents must be in Portuguese or accompanied by a certified translation.

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 in the country of origin (e.g., USDA-accredited vet in the US, DEFRA-endorsed vet in the UK) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the São Tomé and Príncipe veterinary authority.

All documents must be in Portuguese or accompanied by a certified translation.

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
30 days
Mandatory quarantine at a government facility in São Tomé. Owner pays all costs. No home quarantine option.
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian in the country of origin · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/mL)
  • Import permit from Direcção de Pecuária

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees ~$50-100, quarantine costs ~$10-20/day. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the São Tomé and Príncipe veterinary authority.

All documents must be in Portuguese or accompanied by a certified translation. Quarantine is strictly enforced for high-risk origins.

Frequently asked questions

São Tomé and Príncipe does not officially publish a specific limit for non-commercial cat imports. In practice, bringing more than 2 cats may trigger commercial import rules, requiring a veterinary import license and additional paperwork. Check with the Direcção de Pecuária before travel if you plan to bring more than 2 cats.
No, São Tomé and Príncipe is not part of the EU Pet Travel Scheme. An EU Pet Passport is not accepted as a standalone document. You still need a health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of travel, plus a rabies vaccination certificate.
No. São Tomé and Príncipe does not recognise emotional support or service animals as exempt from standard import rules. All cats, regardless of role, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if from a high-risk origin) titer test and quarantine requirements.
Cats must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination. If your cat has a non-ISO chip, you must bring your own compatible scanner. The chip must be readable at the border; if not, the cat may be refused entry or quarantined at your expense until a chip can be implanted and verified.
Cabin pet policies depend on the airline, not the destination country. Most airlines allow cats in the cabin if the carrier fits under the seat and the cat is at least 8 weeks old. Check with your specific carrier. São Tomé and Príncipe does not impose additional cabin restrictions beyond standard animal health checks upon arrival.
The country does not specify a minimum age for cats. However, because rabies vaccination is required and cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, plus a 21-day wait after vaccination, the earliest a cat can enter is around 15 weeks old. Kittens younger than 12 weeks cannot be vaccinated and therefore cannot meet the rabies requirement.
You must postpone travel. The FAVN test must be done at least 30 days after vaccination and the result must show ≥0.5 IU/mL. The test result must be at least 90 days old at the time of travel. Without a valid titer test, your cat will be refused entry or placed in quarantine for a minimum of 30 days at your expense.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to São Tomé and Príncipe.

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

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine batch, date of vaccination, and 21-day wait completion)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

São Tomé and Príncipe does not publish specific ferret import rules. Based on general pet import practice, a microchip, rabies vaccine, and health certificate are required. No quarantine for rabies-free origin territories.

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

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine batch, date of vaccination, and 21-day wait completion)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Same requirements as free tier. No additional tests or permits for low-risk origins.

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
30 days
Mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility in São Tomé. Owner pays all costs. Contact the Directorate of Livestock Services (Direção dos Serviços Pecuários) for facility details and booking.
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 4 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine batch, date of vaccination, and 21-day wait completion)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/mL, completed at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel)
  • Import permit from Direção dos Serviços Pecuários (apply at least 30 days before travel)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100, quarantine costs ~$200-500 depending on duration. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

High-risk origin pets face stricter rules: FAVN test, import permit, and 30-day quarantine. Start process at least 3 months before travel.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, all ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel, regardless of origin. The vaccine must be given after the microchip is implanted and the ferret must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination.
São Tomé and Príncipe does not publish a specific limit for non-commercial pet movement. Standard practice allows up to 5 pets per person without triggering commercial import rules. If you bring more than 5, contact the Direção dos Serviços Pecuários to confirm if commercial regulations apply.
No. São Tomé and Príncipe does not recognise emotional support animals or service ferrets under separate import rules. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if from a high-risk origin) FAVN test and quarantine requirements.
No, ferrets must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the rabies vaccine. For high-risk origins, the minimum age is 4 months (16 weeks) due to the additional FAVN test requirement. No ferret under 12 weeks can enter legally.
The ferret will be refused entry or placed in quarantine until an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip can be implanted and the rabies vaccine repeated. This can delay entry by several weeks and incur additional costs. Always use an ISO microchip before travel.
No quarantine is required for ferrets from rabies-free or low-risk origins (including Europe and the US). Only ferrets from high-risk rabies countries face a mandatory 30-day quarantine.
Contact the Direção dos Serviços Pecuários (Directorate of Livestock Services) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development in São Tomé. Apply at least 30 days before travel. There is no online portal; you must email or call the office. Ask your local vet or the São Tomé embassy for current contact details.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped and accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. The country does not have a standard quarantine facility, so any required isolation is typically arranged at the owner's expense in a licensed kennel.

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 São Tomé and Príncipe, 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 São Tomé and Príncipe's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.