Country entry guide · Europe (EU)
Traveling to Portugal with your dog
Portugal welcomes dogs, but what you need to prepare depends mainly on the country your dog is travelling from — not only on Portugal itself. As an EU member, Portugal applies the EU pet-movement rules: an ISO microchip and a valid rabies vaccination are always required. A dog coming from another EU country simply needs an EU pet passport. A dog from a listed non-EU country (such as the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom) needs an EU animal health certificate but no blood test. A dog from a non-listed country faces the longest path, including a rabies antibody test and a three-month wait. One national point to know: arrivals from outside the EU must notify the Traveller Point of Entry in advance. This guide explains each case so you know exactly what to prepare before you book your flight.
📋 At a glance
| Dogs allowed | Yes |
| Microchip | Required |
| Rabies vaccination | Required |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional — non-listed origins only |
| Veterinary certificate | Conditional — non-EU origins |
| Advance arrival notice | Non-EU arrivals (≥48 h before) |
| Tapeworm treatment | Not required for Portugal |
| Quarantine | Normally 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 Portugal
🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
- 1 Country of destination — Portugal★★★★★
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
- 3 Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO microchip | Required | A legible tattoo is accepted only if done before 3 July 2011, with written proof. | EU Reg. 576/2013; dgav.pt |
| Rabies vaccination | Required | The microchip must already be in place; otherwise re-vaccination is needed. | EU Reg. 576/2013, Annex III |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional | Not required from the EU or from listed countries (US, Canada, UK, Switzerland, Japan, Australia…). | EU Reg. 2020/692; dgav.pt |
| EU pet passport | EU origins | Replaced by an animal health certificate for non-EU origins. | EU Reg. 577/2013 |
| EU animal health certificate | Non-EU origins | Not needed for EU origins (passport instead). | EU Reg. 577/2013, Annex IV |
| Tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment | Not required | Only Finland, Ireland, Malta, N. Ireland and Norway require it — not Portugal. | European Commission — pet travel |
| Advance arrival notice / Point of Entry | Non-EU arrivals | No arrival notice for intra-EU (Schengen) arrivals. | dgav.pt — Aviso de chegada |
| Border / veterinary check | Non-EU arrivals | No systematic check for intra-EU (Schengen) arrivals. | dgav.pt; Despacho DGAV 3044/2024 |
| Puppies / minimum age | Effectively ≥15 weeks | Dogs under 12 weeks, or aged 12–16 weeks vaccinated less than 21 days ago, cannot enter from outside the EU. | EU Reg. 576/2013; dgav.pt |
| Quarantine | Not required | Only if rules are breached — authorities may then order re-export or, in the worst case, euthanasia, at the owner's expense. | dgav.pt — Cães e Gatos |
🗓 In what order, and when
Some steps only count once the previous one is done — check each deadline against the official reference above.
- ISO microchipMust be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
- Rabies vaccinationDog at least 12 weeks old at the shot; valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination.
- Rabies antibody testNon-listed origins only: blood ≥30 days after vaccination, ≥3 months before entry, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, EU-designated lab.
- EU pet passportIssued by an EU vet; records the microchip and rabies vaccination.
- EU animal health certificateIssued/endorsed by the official authority before departure; valid 10 days to entry, then up to 4 months for onward EU travel.
- Advance arrival notice / Point of EntryNotify the Traveller Point of Entry (e.g. airport) as early as possible, at least 48 hours before arrival; no import permit is issued.
- Border / veterinary checkAt a designated Traveller Point of Entry; a veterinary control fee applies (€42.25 for one animal, €84.50 for two or more; free for assistance dogs).
- Puppies / minimum age12-week rabies shot + 21-day wait (listed); about 7 months from a non-listed country.
🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin
Simplified — EU pet passport
A dog coming from another EU country needs an EU pet passport showing a valid ISO microchip and an in-date rabies vaccination. No antibody test, no health certificate, no advance arrival notice and normally no border check.
⏱ A few days if the passport is up to date, up to ~3 weeks if the first rabies shot is still needed.
Health certificate + advance notice
From a listed non-EU country (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Australia and others), your dog needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU animal health certificate issued by the official authority before departure. No antibody test is required, but you must notify the Traveller Point of Entry at least 48 hours before arrival and undergo the veterinary check on entry.
⏱ ~3–4 weeks: 21-day wait after the rabies shot, plus a health certificate valid 10 days and an advance arrival notice.
Antibody test + 3-month wait
From a non-listed (at-risk) country, add a rabies antibody test: blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, result ≥0.5 IU/ml at an EU-designated laboratory, then a compulsory 3-month wait before entry. An endorsed EU animal health certificate and an advance arrival notice are also required.
⏱ ~4–7 months: antibody test at least 30 days after vaccination, then a compulsory 3-month wait.
🛬 Arrival
What happens when your dog reaches Portugal depends on where you flew from.
- From another EU country: no systematic border check — keep the EU pet passport with you.
- From outside the EU: notify the Traveller Point of Entry (aviso de chegada) as early as possible — at least 48 hours before arrival — and enter through that designated point for the veterinary check.
- A veterinary control fee applies to non-EU arrivals: €42.25 for one animal, €84.50 for two or more; assistance dogs are exempt.
- No import permit is issued, but pleasure marinas/ports that are not Points of Entry cannot be used — the dog must reach a Traveller Point of Entry to be checked.
- Carry original documents (or certified copies where allowed), in Portuguese, bilingual or officially translated.
- If documents are missing or invalid, authorities may order re-export to origin or, in the worst case, euthanasia — at the owner's expense.
🚫 Restricted dogs
Portugal regulates dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs under Decree-Law 315/2009 (amended by Law 46/2013). Unlike some countries, no breed is banned from entry, but owners of listed breeds must meet strict keeping conditions.
Potentially dangerous breeds (raças potencialmente perigosas), listed in Portaria 422/2004, are: Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasileiro), Argentine Dogo, Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Tosa Inu — plus their first-generation crosses. Keeping one requires an annual licence from the local parish council (junta de freguesia), compulsory civil-liability insurance (Portaria 585/2004, minimum €50,000), a muzzle and lead in public, and — for dogs not registered in a recognised stud book (e.g. Pit Bull, American Bully) — sterilisation.
A separate category, 'dangerous animal' (animal perigoso), is defined by behaviour rather than breed: any dog that has bitten or injured a person or another animal, has been declared aggressive by its owner, or has been assessed as a risk by the authorities. These dogs face the same keeping obligations and must be sterilised.
Importing a listed breed is allowed. From another EU country, travel on the EU pet passport as usual. From outside the EU for a non-commercial stay, the owner signs a responsibility statement (termo de responsabilidade) at the Point of Entry for stays up to 4 months, or requests a residence notification (notificação de permanência) from DGAV for longer stays. Confirm the current formalities with DGAV before travelling.
✈️ Airlines flying to Portugal 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.
+41 more documented airlines accept dogs to this country. 4 carriers serving this country are not listed here: refusal or undocumented pet policy. See all airlines →
🛂 Airports in Portugal
Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.
Portugal with a dog: common questions
Portugal: What does my dog need to enter?
Portugal requires: ISO microchip, Rabies vaccination.
Portugal: Is a rabies antibody test required?
Portugal — Rabies antibody test: Conditional. Non-listed origins only: blood ≥30 days after vaccination, ≥3 months before entry, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, EU-designated lab.
Portugal: Are any dog breeds banned?
Portugal regulates dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs under Decree-Law 315/2009 (amended by Law 46/2013). Unlike some countries, no breed is banned from entry, but owners of listed breeds must meet strict keeping conditions.
Portugal: How long does it take to prepare a dog?
A few days if the passport is up to date, up to ~3 weeks if the first rabies shot is still needed. ~4–7 months: antibody test at least 30 days after vaccination, then a compulsory 3-month wait.
Portugal: Is it difficult to travel there with a dog?
Portugal — Easy to difficult (depends on origin). MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
Answers drawn from the official sources listed below; entry information last verified 8 August 2026. Rules change — confirm with the authorities of Portugal and your vet before booking.
📚 Official sources
- European Commission — Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country
- European Commission — Travelling with a pet within the EU
- European Commission — Listing of non-EU countries (antibody-test exemption)
- DGAV — Entering Portugal from outside the EU (dogs & cats)
- DGAV — Dangerous & potentially dangerous animals (general information)
- gov.pt — Responsibility statement for entry of dangerous-breed dogs from outside the EU
- Portuguese Customs (AT) — Customs information for travellers