General Regulatory Framework
Relocating to Portugal with pets is governed by European Union (EU) regulations regarding the non-commercial movement of pet animals. The primary authority responsible for overseeing these entries is the Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (DGAV). For the years 2025 and 2026, the rules remain harmonized with EU Regulation 576/2013, which aims to prevent the spread of rabies and other zoonotic diseases.
Rules vary significantly based on whether the pet is arriving from an EU Member State or a "Third Country" (non-EU). Under non-commercial rules, an owner or an authorized person may accompany up to five pets. If the number of animals exceeds five, the movement is classified as commercial and subject to different veterinary trade directives.
Mandatory Identification and Vaccination
Regardless of the country of origin, all dogs, cats, and ferrets entering Portugal must meet specific medical and identification standards. Failure to comply can lead to the animal being quarantined, returned to the country of origin, or, in extreme cases, euthanized at the owner's expense.
- Microchip Identification: Animals must be identified with a microchip (transponder) that complies with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. This must be done before the rabies vaccination is administered.
- Rabies Vaccination: The animal must be vaccinated against rabies by an authorized veterinarian. The vaccine must be valid at the time of travel. For a primary vaccination, a 21-day waiting period is mandatory before the animal can enter Portugal.
- Age Restrictions: Portugal generally does not permit the entry of young dogs, cats, or ferrets under 12 weeks of age that have not been vaccinated for rabies, nor those between 12 and 16 weeks whose rabies vaccination is not yet valid (the 21-day rule).
Entry from EU and Listed Third Countries
For pets originating from EU Member States or "Listed" Third Countries (such as the UK, USA, Canada, or Australia), the process is streamlined. These countries are considered to have a controlled rabies risk.
Required Documentation
For EU arrivals, an EU Pet Passport is required. For listed non-EU countries, an EU Animal Health Certificate (issued by an official veterinarian in the country of origin) is necessary. This certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue for entry into the EU and for a further four months within the EU for intra-union movement.
Rabies Antibody Titration Test
Pets from "Non-Listed" countries (high rabies risk) must undergo a rabies antibody titration test. This involves a blood sample taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least three months before traveling to Portugal. The test must be analyzed in an EU-approved laboratory and show a level of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Arrival Procedures and DGAV Notification
When entering Portugal from outside the EU, pet owners must enter through specific Travelers' Points of Entry (TPE) where veterinary checks can be performed. These include major airports such as Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO), Faro (FAO), Funchal (FNC), and Ponta Delgada (PDL).
For non-EU arrivals, the owner must notify the DGAV at least 48 hours before arrival at the point of entry. This notification is typically done via email to the specific airport veterinary office. A fee is charged for the veterinary inspection upon arrival. As of 2025, the standard inspection fee is approximately 40 EUR ($43.60 USD, Jan 2025) for one animal, with increasing scales for additional pets.
Local Registration and Licensing
Once the pet is physically in Portugal, the owner must comply with domestic registration laws. All dogs must be registered at the local Junta de Freguesia (Parish Council) in the area where the owner resides.
- Timeline: Registration should occur within 30 to 60 days of entry or identification.
- SIAC Registration: The pet's microchip must be registered in the Sistema de Informação de Animais de Companhia (SIAC) database, usually performed by a local veterinarian.
- Annual License: Owners must pay a small annual fee to the Junta de Freguesia. This fee varies by municipality but typically ranges from 5 EUR ($5.45 USD, Jan 2025) to 15 EUR ($16.35 USD, Jan 2025).
- Potentially Dangerous Breeds: Specific breeds (e.g., Rottweiler, Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier) are subject to stricter regulations, including mandatory liability insurance, sterilization requirements, and psychological testing for the owner.
Summary of Estimated Costs
Relocation costs vary based on the country of origin and the size of the animal. Below is a baseline of administrative and local fees for 2025/2026:
- EU Entry Inspection (Non-EU arrivals): ~40 EUR ($43.60 USD, Jan 2025).
- Local Parish Registration: ~10 EUR ($10.90 USD, Jan 2025) annually.
- SIAC Database Entry: ~13 EUR ($14.17 USD, Jan 2025) (one-time fee).
- Rabies Titre Test (if required): 150 EUR - 250 EUR ($163.50 - $272.50 USD, Jan 2025) depending on the laboratory in the country of origin.
Transport costs (airfare and specialized crates) are separate and depend entirely on the commercial airline's policies and the pet's dimensions.