Pet Travel and Moving with Animals to Portugal

Below is information on:

Moving With Pets

• The European Pet Passport (EU Pet Passport) allows for qualifying domestic animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) to freely cross borders in Europe
• The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) provides for qualifying domestic pets to travel to and from the UK without undergoing quarantine

Note: Ferrets may not be kept as domestic pets in Portugal. Portugal banned the importation of domestic ferrets to avoid cross breeding with indigenous ferrets in the wild. However this ruling essentially contradicts EU rules. A person wishing to take a ferret to Portugal should consult the Portuguese authorities for the latest information (see below). 

Pet travel laws can be affected by exceptional outbreaks of diseases. Recent examples are Avian Influenza (the H5N1 strain of bird flu), Foot and Mouth disease and the Bluetongue outbreak.

The Portuguese Veterinary Director General (Direcção-Geral de Veterinária, DGV) publishes a guide about the non-commercial movement of pet dogs and cats to Portugal. The guide covers animals entering Portugal from EU and non-EU member countries.

• To view the brochure in English: Click here
• Direcção-Geral de Veterinária, DGV
  At: Largo da Academia Nacional de Belas Artes 2, 1249-105 Lisbon
  Tel: 213 239 500
  Fax: 213 463 518
  e-mail
  Website
• The specified entry points must be used when bringing animals into Portugal. For an up-to-date list of ports and airports: Click here (PDF)

Moving Pets within the European Union

European Pet Passport

The EU Pet Passport is a booklet, identical for all European countries, which contains obligatory information concerning an individual animal: identification number, proof of valid vaccine against the rabies virus. It may contain other non-obligatory information and is valid for the lifetime of the pet. Each passport is numbered for identification purposes.

Animals travelling within any European Union countries other than Ireland, Sweden, Malta and the United Kingdom need to have:

• identification by microchip or tattoo (tattoos are only acceptable until July 2011)
• valid vaccine against rabies (except when crossing the Finnish border, where animals must have proof of tapeworm - echinococcosis - treatment)

All vets should have the relevant information and be able to prepare a pet for travel.

The EU Pet Passport can also be used when travelling between Europe and the following non-mainland European areas: Greenland, Faeroe Islands, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands (except Ceuta and Melilla), French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, La Réunion, Gibraltar, the Azores and Madeira.

It may also be used when travelling between EU and other countries with the same rabies status. Included are: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State.

• For information on these places see the EUROPA website

Getting an EU Pet Passport

The passport may only be issued by a licensed vet and it, and vaccinations, should be kept current by the vet.

Before issuing the Pet Passport the vet will confirm that the animal:

• is identified by a microchip in the neck (or tattoo in the ear)
• has valid vaccines against rabies
• has had a blood test to confirm the vaccine is in the system

Following these steps the vet can issue a certificate of health - the Pet Passport.

Arriving in Portugal

A non-commercial importer may bring up to five pets into Portugal. If travelling with more than five non-commercial animals the owner must contact the DGV for further advice.

Pet owners must carry a valid EU Pet Passport and the original vaccination certificates, for each pet when travelling with their animals to Portugal.

Portugal does not set any additional veterinary requirements for pet dogs and cats entering the country for non-commercial reasons. Animals do not have to be treated for ticks or tapeworm.

If the rabies vaccination was the animal's first vaccine then 21 days must pass before it may enter the country. There is no time delay with booster injections, providing there is proof that the booster was administered before the last vaccine had expired.

Animals under three months old can only be brought into Portugal from an EU Member State if the owner can prove that young animals not yet weaned and are accompanying the mother. If the animals are coming from outside the EU they must be over three months old.

Rabbits and rodents may travel without a passport but should be declared at the border.

• European Commission Animal Health and Welfare: Click here

Moving Pets between Portugal and the UK and Ireland

Dogs and cats may travel between UK, Ireland, Malta and Sweden and Europe without quarantine, provided some (stringent) requirements are met. The system allowing travel is called the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).

DEFRA, the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural affairs, has comprehensive and up-to-date information on the website. It will provide an information pack on request.

• DEFRA website: Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)
• Pet Travel Scheme
  Tel: +44 845 933 5577
  e-mail
  Open: Mondays to Fridays 08:00-18:00 UK time
•  

Entering the UK or Ireland

Before entering Britain or Ireland (or Sweden or Malta) from Portugal or elsewhere in the EU, an animal must:

• have an anti-rabies booster vaccination (the pet must be vaccinated by a vet)
• have a blood test. A blood sample will be taken 30 days after the vaccination and will be sent to an approved laboratory to confirm it has been effective
  • If the sample tests correct, the vet will sign the certificate
• If the sample tests negative, the vaccination and sampling process will be repeated until successful and there will be a six-month delay (see note below)
• between 24 and 48 hours before departure from Portugal the animal must be treated for ticks, and tapeworm (echinococcosis). This treatment must be carried out by an authorised vet
• have microchip identification, a tattoo is not acceptable
• have a valid EU Pet Passport completed with certificates and documentation of treatments

Note: A passport cannot be issued until six months after a satisfactory blood test. Once the vet has issued the pet's documentation and that six-month period has passed, the pet may enter the UK. The travel process is then much the same as above. The passport must be up to date and the rabies booster must be valid.

If the authorities are unsatisfied with the animal on entry to the UK it can be held in quarantine until the relevant tests are passed.

Further Information from:

• the Irish Department of Agriculture website: Click here 

• the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA website: Click here 

Moving Pets to Portugal from outside the European Union

If taking the pet to a country outside the EU consult the Embassy or consulate to check the local regulations.

An animal entering Portugal from a non-EU country that has the same rabies controls needs:

• identification by microchip or tattoo
• valid anti-rabies vaccination
• For a list of complying countries see EUROPA website: Click here

Animals from countries not included on the list need to have complete anti-rabies treatment in addition to the above. The neutralising antibody titration test is a system that combines vaccination against rabies and serological surveillance. The neutralising antibody titration (at least equal to 0,5 IU/ml) must be performed in an approved laboratory on a sample issued by a vet at least 30 days after the anti-rabies vaccination was given and three months before travel.

The Portuguese Embassy in the home country should be consulted. A vet will be able to manage the process. 

Moving Pets to Portugal from the United States or Canada

Animals from the USA and Canada may enter Portugal if they have:

• a valid Veterinary Certificate (stating owners details, a description of the animal, details of identification and vaccinations)
• valid rabies vaccines
• a tattoo or a microchip (compatible with standards ISO-11784)

The cage or carrier must be labelled with the owner's name, and their (or a nominated person's) address and contact numbers in Portugal.

Once in Portugal, a vet can issue an EU Pet Passport allowing travel within Europe.

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency website has further information: Click here  

• The Australian Embassy in Portugal publishes advice on moving with pets: Click here  

Pet Carriers To and From Portugal

It is essential to ensure that the pet is eligible to travel not only to or from Portugal but also any other countries it may pass through.

The animal will have to travel in an approved container. It must be big enough for the animal to stand, sit and turn during the journey. The container must allow adequate ventilation.

If the journey is longer than a few hours, food and drink may need to be supplied.

Several train companies, sea ferries and airlines carry caged animals across borders (normally a pet travelling by air will be in the hold). Consult the carrier for details and explain the situation at the time of booking.

• Animals must be transported via approved routes. For approved entry ports in Portugal: Click here (PDF) 

Pet carriers: UK to Portugal

• DEFRA provide a list of approved carriers and routes Click here 
• EuroTunnel is pet friendly, allowing pets to travel across the English Channel by car: Click here  

Further Information

• Dogs Away: practical advice and help for the travelling dog 
• Direcção-Geral de Veterinária
• EURES: the European Mobility Portal
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Essential Animal Information for Pets in Portugal