Pets and Relocating to Portugal: What You Need to Know
Relocating to Portugal is an exciting adventure—but for pet owners, one of the top priorities is ensuring a smooth, stress-free transition for their furry companions. Whether you’re bringing a dog, cat, or other pet, there are clear steps and requirements to follow to ensure their safe and legal entry.
This article covers everything from vaccination rules and required documents to travel tips and settling in once you arrive.
1. Vaccination & Health Requirements
Portugal follows European Union (EU) pet travel regulations, so the requirements are similar to other EU countries.
Rabies Vaccination
Mandatory for dogs, cats, and ferrets.
Pets must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the vaccine.
The vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before travel.
Booster shots are required if the vaccination is out of date.
The vaccination must remain valid throughout your stay.
Microchip Identification
All pets must be microchipped before—or at the same time as—the rabies vaccination.
The chip must meet ISO 11784/11785 standards and be registered with accurate, up-to-date contact information.
Veterinary Health Certificate
Issued by a licensed vet within 10 days of travel.
Confirms your pet is healthy and free of contagious diseases.
Should be in English (Portuguese may also be accepted). Keep both the original and a copy with you.
2. Travel Options: Air, Land, or Sea
By Air
Check airline-specific rules for pet travel—most allow small pets in the cabin (under 8–10 kg), with larger pets in the pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo hold.
Required documents include the rabies certificate, health certificate, and microchip details.
Use an airline-approved crate and include familiar items like a blanket or toy for comfort.
By Car
If driving from another EU country, carry all required documentation.
Stop regularly for exercise, water, and bathroom breaks.
Secure pets with a travel crate or seatbelt harness.
From non-EU countries, additional paperwork or quarantine may be required.
By Sea
Many ferries allow pets; check policies in advance.
Some offer pet-friendly cabins, others only designated pet areas.
3. Arrival in Portugal: Border Inspection
At the border, pets undergo a veterinary inspection.
Document check: Rabies certificate, health certificate, and microchip details.
Physical inspection: To verify health and microchip functionality.
Quarantine: Rare if all requirements are met. Non-compliant pets may face up to 21 days in quarantine.
4. Finding Pet-Friendly Accommodation & Settling In
Housing
Not all Portuguese landlords accept pets, especially in Lisbon and Porto.
Always confirm pet policies before signing a lease—some may require extra deposits or have size/breed restrictions.
Consider neighborhoods with green spaces or dog parks.
Settling In
Introduce pets to their new home gradually.
Find a local vet—expat groups can recommend English-speaking clinics.
Consider pet insurance to cover unexpected veterinary costs.
Keep pets hydrated and bring any required medications.
Know local pet regulations—such as leash laws and breed restrictions.
Update microchip registration with your new contact information.
5. Professional Support
At Portugal For Living, we specialize in making relocations—pets included—as seamless as possible. From handling paperwork and finding pet-friendly accommodation to coordinating travel and veterinary appointments, our team is here to take the stress out of your move. If you’d like expert support with bringing your pet to Portugal, contact us and we’ll guide you through every step.
Please note that regulations can change over time, which is why having professional support is important to ensure you follow all the correct procedures.
