Country entry guide · South America
Traveling to Brazil with your dog
Brazil welcomes dogs, and the procedure is comparatively simple: there is no import permit for a personal pet, no quarantine and no rabies antibody test for entry from most countries. The main document is an International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) issued or endorsed by an official veterinarian of your departure country's government veterinary authority — a certificate signed by a private vet alone is not accepted. Your dog needs a valid rabies vaccination (from 90 days of age), a broad-spectrum anti-parasite treatment and a clinical exam shortly before travel. On arrival, Brazil's agricultural inspection service, VIGIAGRO, checks your documents. This guide explains exactly what to prepare before you book your flight.
📋 At a glance
| Dogs allowed | Yes |
| Microchip | Not required (recommended) |
| Rabies vaccination | Required from 90 days of age |
| Rabies antibody test | Not required |
| Veterinary certificate (CVI) | Required |
| Anti-parasite treatment | Required within 15 days |
| Quarantine | Not required |
⚠️ Important
- MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
- Only a veterinarian can confirm the exact procedure for your individual dog.
- Requirements depend on: the country of origin, previous travel history, identification, vaccinations, the itinerary and the travel date.
Always consult your veterinarian before booking your trip.
Find a flight to Brazil
🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
- 1 Country of destination — Brazil★★★★★
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
- 3 Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO microchip | Not required | Strongly recommended for reliable identification and often required by the departure country and the airline. | Portaria MAPA nº 741/2024, Art. 17 |
| Rabies vaccination | Required | Not required if the origin country/zone is WOAH-recognised rabies-free (stated on the CVI), or for puppies under 90 days meeting the age conditions. | Portaria MAPA nº 741/2024, Art. 9–12 |
| Rabies antibody test | Not required | Brazil does not require a rabies antibody test for the entry of a personal pet dog. | Portaria MAPA nº 741/2024 |
| Official pet passport (in lieu of CVI) | Accepted only from reciprocal countries | The European Pet Passport is currently NOT valid to enter Brazil — a CVI is required instead. | Portaria MAPA nº 741/2024, Art. 8; MAPA guidance |
| International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) | Required | A certificate signed only by a private veterinarian is not accepted. Brazil may refuse animals previously diagnosed with leishmaniasis. | Portaria MAPA nº 741/2024, Art. 5–6, 15 |
| Broad-spectrum anti-parasite treatment | Required | — | Portaria MAPA nº 741/2024, Art. 13 |
| Clinical examination | Required | — | Portaria MAPA nº 741/2024, Art. 14 |
| Import permit / advance notification | Not required | No import permit is needed for a personal pet dog or cat; other pet species (ferrets, rabbits, etc.) do need a MAPA import authorisation. | MAPA / VIGIAGRO — how to bring your dog or cat |
| Border check (VIGIAGRO) | On arrival | — | Portaria MAPA nº 741/2024, Art. 7; VIGIAGRO |
| Puppies / minimum age | Conditional under 90 days | A nursing puppy travelling with its mother is treated as one biological unit and noted on the mother's CVI. | Portaria MAPA nº 741/2024, Art. 11, 16 |
| Quarantine | Not required | Only in case of non-compliance — VIGIAGRO may then order refusal, re-export, retention or other measures at the owner's expense. | Portaria MAPA nº 741/2024, Art. 18–19 |
🗓 In what order, and when
Some steps only count once the previous one is done — check each deadline against the official reference above.
- ISO microchipOptional for Brazil; if an electronic ID is used it must comply with ISO 11784/11785 and its location be noted on the CVI.
- Rabies vaccinationFor all dogs from 90 days of age, using an authorised vaccine that is still in date; a first vaccination allows departure only 21 days after the shot.
- Official pet passport (in lieu of CVI)A pet passport is accepted only if issued/endorsed by the origin's veterinary authority and if that country reciprocally accepts the Brazilian passport; it must carry all CVI data.
- International Veterinary Certificate (CVI)Original CVI issued or endorsed by an official veterinarian of the departure country's veterinary authority, on the MERCOSUR model (mandatory since 6 Sept 2025); valid 60 days from issue while the rabies vaccination stays valid.
- Broad-spectrum anti-parasite treatmentAgainst internal and external parasites, with authorised products, within the 15 days before the CVI is issued; active ingredients must be recorded.
- Clinical examinationBy a registered veterinarian within 10 days before the CVI is issued, confirming no signs of infectious or parasitic disease and fitness for transport.
- Border check (VIGIAGRO)Present the original CVI (or accepted passport) to the VIGIAGRO agricultural inspection at the point of entry; agents must not retain the original.
- Puppies / minimum ageA puppy under 90 days may enter unvaccinated if the CVI certifies its age and that it has had no contact with any urban rabies case in the previous 90 days.
🌍 The different cases
Standard case — rabies-affected country
From most countries, your dog needs a valid rabies vaccination (from 90 days of age), a broad-spectrum anti-parasite treatment within 15 days and a clinical exam within 10 days, all recorded on an official International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) issued or endorsed by the departure country's veterinary authority. No antibody test and no quarantine.
⏱ A few days if the rabies vaccination is already valid: arrange the anti-parasite treatment, clinical exam and the official CVI within the final 15 days.
Rabies-free country — no vaccination proof
If your dog's origin country or zone is officially recognised as rabies-free by the WOAH — and Brazil recognises that status in advance — no proof of rabies vaccination is required. This must be certified on the CVI. The anti-parasite treatment, clinical exam and official CVI still apply.
⏱ Similar timing from a WOAH rabies-free country: no proof of rabies vaccination is needed, but the CVI, treatment and exam still apply.
First vaccination or young puppy
If the rabies vaccination is a first-time shot, departure is only allowed 21 days after it. A puppy under 90 days may enter unvaccinated only if the CVI certifies its age and that it has had no contact with urban rabies in the previous 90 days. Plan the extra lead time before booking.
⏱ About 3 weeks for a first-time rabies vaccination: departure is only allowed 21 days after the primary shot.
🛬 Arrival
When your dog reaches Brazil, checks are carried out by VIGIAGRO, the international agricultural surveillance service, at the point of entry.
- Present the original International Veterinary Certificate (or an accepted official passport) to the VIGIAGRO desk on arrival.
- The certificate must be issued or endorsed by an official government veterinarian — one signed only by a private vet is refused.
- VIGIAGRO agents must not keep the original CVI — it stays with the owner throughout the trip.
- No import permit and no prior appointment are needed for a personal pet dog; carry original documents, not copies.
- If documents are missing or invalid, VIGIAGRO may order refusal, re-export, retention or other sanitary measures — all at the owner's expense.
🛫 Leaving the country (return trip)
Brazil is non-listed, so a valid rabies antibody titer is mandatory to return to the EU — plus an international veterinary certificate (CVI) issued by VIGIAGRO/MAPA.
- ⚠️ Start before you leave Anticipate the rabies antibody titer well ahead: blood test in an EU-approved lab at least 30 days after vaccination — MAPA notes the full EU process can take 3 to 6 months.
- On site, before the flight Submit the online request on gov.br with your vet's health certificate and records; a federal agricultural auditor reviews it (up to 48h) and issues the digitally signed CVI, free of charge.
🚫 Restricted dogs
Brazil has no national law banning specific dog breeds from import, and the MERCOSUR framework only lets member states set up a specific regime for breeds considered dangerous. Pit-bull-type dogs are legal and popular nationally.
No breed is banned from entering Brazil at federal level. There is no national dangerous-dog import category comparable to those of some European countries.
Some states and municipalities regulate pit-bull-type dogs locally (for example rules on breeding, sale, sterilisation or microchipping). Check the specific rules of your destination state or city.
Because local rules vary, confirm any breed-specific requirement with the authorities of your final destination in Brazil before travelling.
✈️ Airlines flying to Brazil with a dog
Carriers we document that serve this country and accept dogs. The verdict is the airline's general policy — it does not prejudge your breed, your crate or your exact route.
+21 more documented airlines accept dogs to this country. See all airlines →
🛂 Airports in Brazil
Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.
Brazil with a dog: common questions
Brazil: What does my dog need to enter?
Brazil requires: Rabies vaccination, International Veterinary Certificate (CVI), Broad-spectrum anti-parasite treatment, Clinical examination.
Brazil: Is a rabies antibody test required?
Brazil — Rabies antibody test: Not required.
Brazil: Are any dog breeds banned?
Brazil has no national law banning specific dog breeds from import, and the MERCOSUR framework only lets member states set up a specific regime for breeds considered dangerous. Pit-bull-type dogs are legal and popular nationally.
Brazil: How long does it take to prepare a dog?
A few days if the rabies vaccination is already valid: arrange the anti-parasite treatment, clinical exam and the official CVI within the final 15 days. About 3 weeks for a first-time rabies vaccination: departure is only allowed 21 days after the primary shot.
Brazil: Do domestic flights have the same requirements?
Domestic flight in Brazil: no import formality, but the State does require a transit certificate. An Atestado Sanitário for the domestic transit of dogs and cats, issued by a CRMV-registered vet and valid 10 days, must accompany the animal. Rabies vaccination is required for dogs over 90 days, valid one year.…
Brazil: What is needed to leave with a dog?
Brazil is non-listed, so a valid rabies antibody titer is mandatory to return to the EU — plus an international veterinary certificate (CVI) issued by VIGIAGRO/MAPA.
Brazil: Is it difficult to travel there with a dog?
Brazil — Easy to moderate. MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
Answers drawn from the official sources listed below; entry information last verified 11 July 2026. Rules change — confirm with the authorities of Brazil and your vet before booking.