Portugal

Pet Entry Requirements for Portugal

Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Portugal?

What Additional Information Do I Need for Portugal?

• Pets in Portugal:

  Pets are allowed to accompany you into commercial establishments, which includes shops and restaurants properly marked as “pet friendly” and only when accompanied by their owners. The law requires that pets must be secured with a short leash and must be tethered closely to their owners. Pets are permitted on public transport if they are clean, free of diseases and properly secured with a leash or proper carrier. Veterinarians in Portugal must be licensed and adhere to standards set by the Portuguese Veterinary Medical Association, ensuring quality care. Some veterinary clinics offer alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and physiotherapy, catering to pet owners seeking complementary treatments. While many veterinarians speak English, especially in tourist areas, it’s a good idea to confirm this if you’re not fluent in Portuguese.

• Entering Portugal:

  Accompanied pets entering by air from non-EU countries must do so at the Border Inspection Post at international airports in Lisbon, Oporto, Faro, Funchal, Ponta Delgada, Terceira Island and Beja. Notice must be provided to notify border inspectors a minimum of 48 hours prior to arrival. Pets can enter Portugal in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo according toairline pet policies. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association. There will be an inspection fee upon arrival. If traveling under non-commercial regulations, your pet’s passport including all required documents will be checked and entered into TRACES. All commercial transports, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in TRACES, and the responsible transporter must be registered. Flights to Portugal should be direct or transit through an EU Member State, Part 1 or 2 Listed Third Country if possible*. If your pet transits through an Unlisted Third Country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Portugal. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

• Important information:

  Not specified

• What is a Pet Passport?:

  We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Portugal pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering this country from non-EU countries.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Portugal will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and one of the following: An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU or Northern Ireland pets)An EU Health Certificate (non-EU-resident pets)A government-issued Pet Passport from a part 1 listed third country (see EU COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS)An Animal Health Certificate when entering Portugal from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales). UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.

• Flying a Pet to Portugal:

  Commercial airlines which serve pets flying to Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisboninclude Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Air Algérie, airBaltic, Air Canada, Air Europa, Air France, Sir Servia, Air Transat, Azores Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Egyptair, El Al, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Finnair, Iberia, KLM, LATAM, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, Transavia, Turkish Airlines, Vueling and Wizz Air. Flights to Portugal should be direct or transit through a listed third country (step 1) or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted third country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply. Entering Portugal with a Pet

• Find a Licensed Veterinarian:

  Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

• Portugal Pet Import Requirements:

  All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Portugal must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-8 should be followed in the order given.

• Breeds Banned from Import to Portugal:

  Pet owners must sign a Statement of Responsibility for dogs staying in Portugal for less than 4 months and a notification document for dogs intending to reside in Portugal: Brazilian FilaRottweilerAmerican Staffordshire TerrierStaffordshire Bull TerrierDogo ArgentinoTosa InuPit Bull Terrier Exceptions will be granted for those with pedigree documentation. Owners must enter Portugal with their dogs. These breeds must be neutered or spayed if staying in Portugal for longer than four months.

• Exporting Resident Pets from Portugal:

  All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Portugal for another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country should: Be microchippedBe vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age andWait for at least 21 days after primary vaccination before leaving Portugal (wait time will depend on destination country requirements).Have a licensed veterinarian issue an EU Pet Passport (EU destinations) or Export Health Certificate in accordance with destination country requirements.Provide other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements). Exception: Exports to EU Member States that permit the entry of unvaccinated puppies and kittens. Note that many part 1 listed third countries will have additional requirements in addition to a resident Pet Passport when returning to the country. Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Portugal. Even if your pet is not entering an Unlisted Third Country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country. All animals leaving Portugal for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate in accordance to their destination country requirements prior to the issuance of an export permit. This permit will be issued by agencies in the origin country responsible for the issuance of export permits.

• Quarantine for Pets Entering Portugal:

  There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Portugal if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

• Animals Eligible for These Requirements:

  These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO PORTUGAL below.

• Importing Other Pet Animals to Portugal:

  Not specified

• Importing Puppies, Kittens and Kits to Portugal:

  Unvaccinated puppies, kittens and kits are not permitted to enter Portugal from any country or EU Member State. Rabies vaccinations will not be recognized until 12 weeks of age and after microchipping. There is a 21-day wait for puppies, kittens and kits arriving from EU Member States and part 1 or 2 listed third countries. Puppies and kittens entering from unlisted countries cannot do so until they are at least seven months of age to meet requirements. Related: More information ontransporting a puppy

• Importing Dogs and Cats to Portugal from Malaysia and Australia:

  If your dog, cat or ferret is entering Portugal from peninsular Malaysia, the following additional conditions must be met: Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.Your pet has been tested with negative a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export. Cats may only enter Portugal from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

  Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency of the Republic of Portugal if you suspect that your pet is covered by CITES regulations. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ Database Related:Learn more about CITES

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