Moving to Portugal with a pet

Moving to Portugal with a pet can be straightforward when the paperwork and veterinary requirements are planned well in advance. The exact requirements depend on where you are moving from, what type of animal you have and whether the move is genuinely non-commercial.

For dogs, cats and ferrets travelling within the European Union, the process is generally based around identification, a valid rabies vaccination and the appropriate pet passport. Animals arriving from outside the EU can require additional documentation, veterinary certification and, depending on the country of origin, a rabies antibody test and waiting period.

The most important advice is simple: start planning early and check the requirements that apply to your specific country of departure.

Important: Animal movement rules can change. The information below is intended as a practical guide, not a substitute for checking the current requirements with the Portuguese veterinary authority (DGAV), the authorities in your country of departure and your veterinarian before travelling.

Start planning before you book your journey

Pet travel requirements can involve deadlines that cannot be shortened.

Before making your travel arrangements, establish:

• Which country you are travelling from

• Whether that country is inside or outside the EU

• What species you are travelling with

• Whether the move is non-commercial

• Whether your animal is already microchipped

• Whether the rabies vaccination is current and valid

• Whether your animal has an EU pet passport or will require other documentation

• Whether any additional health certificate, blood test or treatment is required

• How your airline, ferry or other transport provider will handle animals

Do not rely solely on information from a previous move or from another pet owner's experience. Requirements can change, and the rules may differ according to the country of origin.

The basic sequence for dogs, cats and ferrets

For travel involving dogs, cats or ferrets, identification and rabies vaccination are particularly important.

The animal must be properly identified, normally with a microchip. The rabies vaccination must be administered after or on the same date as the identification; a rabies vaccination dated before the animal's identification does not establish the required link between the animal and its vaccination record.

For a first rabies vaccination, the animal must generally be at least 12 weeks old and 21 days must have elapsed after the primary vaccination before the vaccination is considered valid for travel. A valid booster given within the previous vaccination's period of validity does not normally require another 21-day waiting period.

This means that leaving the veterinary arrangements until the last minute can make travel impossible on your preferred date.

Microchip first

For a dog, cat or ferret travelling to Portugal, make sure the animal is correctly identified.

The microchip provides the permanent identification that links the animal to its veterinary and travel documentation.

When a Portuguese veterinarian registers an animal, the identification is recorded in the Portuguese SIAC — Sistema de Informação de Animais de Companhia. The veterinarian also provides the animal's DIAC (Documento de Identificação do Animal de Companhia).

If your animal already has a microchip from another country, do not assume that it needs to be replaced. DGAV states that microchips are accepted for travel to Portugal, subject to the applicable technical identification requirements; where a chip does not meet the relevant technical standards, the owner must be able to provide the means for the transponder to be read.

Ask your veterinarian to check that the chip can be read and that the number is correctly recorded in the animal's documentation.

Then check the rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination is a key requirement for dogs, cats and ferrets travelling to Portugal.

For a first vaccination, the animal must be at least 12 weeks old, the vaccination must not pre-date the animal's identification, and at least 21 days must normally pass before the vaccination becomes valid for travel.

If your animal has received regular booster vaccinations, check that there has been no break in the vaccination's validity. A booster administered within the validity period can be treated differently from a new primary vaccination.

Your veterinarian should make sure the vaccination details are correctly recorded in the appropriate travel documentation.

If you are moving from another EU country

For a non-commercial move between EU countries, dogs, cats and ferrets generally need:

• Appropriate identification, normally a microchip

• A valid rabies vaccination

• An EU Pet Passport

• Compliance with the applicable animal movement requirements

The EU pet passport should contain the animal's identification and vaccination information and travel with the animal.

DGAV specifically states that dogs, cats and ferrets travelling between EU countries without commercial purpose must be identified and accompanied by a Pet Animal Passport.

Before travelling, ask your veterinarian to check the passport carefully rather than assuming that an apparently current vaccination is sufficient.

If you are moving from outside the EU

This is where planning becomes particularly important.

Portugal applies additional requirements to animals arriving from countries outside the EU. The requirements depend partly on the country of origin and its rabies status.

For dogs, cats and ferrets arriving from certain countries considered to pose a rabies risk, a rabies antibody titration test may be required.

Where such testing is required, the blood sample is taken at least 30 days after the relevant vaccination and must be analysed by an EU-approved laboratory. Under the rules currently published by DGAV, travel can then require a waiting period of 90 days from the date of the blood sample.

This is one of the reasons that moving a pet from some non-EU countries can require considerably more advance planning than moving from another EU country.

Do not assume that every non-EU country has the same requirements. Check the current DGAV rules for your specific country of departure.

You may need an official health certificate

Animals arriving in Portugal from outside the EU may need an official animal health certificate in addition to their identification and rabies documentation.

The certificate must be issued and validated according to the applicable rules in the country of departure.

DGAV currently provides country-specific information and certificate requirements for animals entering Portugal from outside the EU.

The timing matters. Some certificates are only valid for a limited period, so obtaining one too early can be just as problematic as leaving it too late.

Check whether your move is considered non-commercial

The simpler pet-travel rules are intended for animals travelling with their owners and not being sold or transferred to another owner.

For dogs, cats and ferrets, non-commercial movement generally covers up to five animals travelling with their owner or an authorised person under the applicable conditions.

Different rules can apply if:

• More than five animals are travelling

• The animals are being sold or transferred

• The animal is travelling independently of the owner

• The movement is connected with a commercial activity

DGAV's current guidance also specifies conditions for an animal travelling with an authorised person rather than its owner. Under the current rules, that movement must take place within five days before or after the owner's journey.

If your circumstances are unusual, check with DGAV before making travel arrangements.

Other animals have different requirements

Dogs, cats and ferrets are not the only animals people move to Portugal.

If you are bringing a:

• Bird

• Rabbit

• Guinea pig or other rodent

• Reptile

• Fish

• Other exotic or non-traditional pet

do not simply apply the dog-and-cat rules.

Different species can be subject to different national, EU or international requirements. DGAV notes, for example, that there are no harmonised EU rules covering all non-commercial movements of certain other pet species between EU Member States, meaning national requirements may apply.

Protected species can also be subject to CITES requirements.

Speak to a veterinarian and check the relevant official requirements well before travelling.

Registering your animal in Portugal

If you are moving permanently to Portugal, registration after arrival is an important part of settling in.

Portugal uses SIAC — Sistema de Informação de Animais de Companhia for the identification and registration of companion animals.

For animals arriving from another EU country or a third country, DGAV states that dogs and cats already properly identified abroad must be registered in SIAC when they remain in Portugal for 120 days or more. Registration is carried out by a veterinarian accredited with SIAC.

The registration is made in the name of the owner shown on the animal's Pet Passport or applicable health certificate.

Ask your Portuguese veterinarian about the registration when you arrange your first appointment after moving.

Keep your documents together

Create a dedicated pet-travel folder before you leave.

Keep together:

• Pet passport, where applicable

• Health certificate, where applicable

• Rabies vaccination records

• Microchip information

• Rabies antibody test results, if required

• SIAC/DIAC information after registration

• Veterinary records

• Medication information

• Insurance details, if applicable

• Transport documentation

• Your veterinarian's contact details

Keep digital copies as well as the originals.

Do not put all your documentation in checked luggage. Keep the important documents with you during the journey.

Check your transport provider separately

Meeting Portugal's entry requirements does not automatically mean that an airline, ferry company or other transport provider will accept your animal under the same conditions.

Transport companies can have their own requirements concerning:

• Carriers

• Dimensions and weight

• Advance booking

• Breed restrictions

• Cabin or hold travel

• Assistance animals

• Documentation

• Check-in procedures

Confirm these requirements directly with the company you are travelling with.

A pet can meet Portugal's veterinary entry requirements and still be refused transport if the carrier's rules have not been followed.

Plan for the journey itself

The paperwork is only part of the move.

A long journey can be stressful, particularly for older animals, animals with medical conditions and animals that are nervous about travel.

Before departure:

• Get your animal comfortable with its carrier if one is required.

• Keep familiar bedding or a safe comfort item available.

• Make sure identification details are current.

• Plan suitable food and water arrangements.

• Take any required medication.

• Ask your veterinarian whether your animal is fit to travel.

• Follow the transport company's instructions regarding feeding and travel.

• Never give a sedative simply because you think it will make travelling easier; discuss medication with your veterinarian first.

Once you arrive

Moving house is a major change for an animal.

Give your pet time to settle into the new environment.

Try to maintain familiar elements of their routine where possible:

• Feed at familiar times.

• Keep their usual food initially.

• Provide a quiet place to retreat.

• Introduce new rooms gradually where appropriate.

• Keep cats safely indoors while they become familiar with their new surroundings.

• Check gardens, balconies, gates and doors for escape routes.

• Keep dogs securely supervised while they learn the new area.

A pet that has travelled a long distance may need rest before being introduced to lots of new people, places and activities.

Find a local veterinarian

One of the most useful things you can do soon after moving is establish a relationship with a local veterinary practice.

You may need a Portuguese veterinarian for:

• SIAC registration

• Routine health care

• Vaccinations

• Medication

• Preventive healthcare

• Advice about local parasites and environmental risks

• Emergency care

Do not wait until your animal is ill before finding out where your nearest veterinary practice is.

If your pet has an existing medical condition, bring relevant veterinary records and medication information to the first appointment.

Update your contact details

Once you have settled in, make sure your animal's identification and registration information reflects your new circumstances.

Keep your contact details current wherever they are recorded.

If your telephone number, address or other relevant information changes later, update the appropriate records.

Accurate identification information is particularly important if an animal becomes lost.

Give your pet time to settle

Your animal may react differently to the move than you expect.

Some pets settle quickly. Others may hide, become restless, vocalise more than usual or temporarily change their eating and toileting habits.

Keep the first few days as predictable as possible.

For dogs, gradually introduce the new neighbourhood and walking routes. For cats, provide a secure indoor environment before allowing access to a new outdoor area.

If a change in behaviour is severe, persistent or accompanied by signs of illness, speak to a veterinarian rather than assuming that it is simply stress from the move.

A simple moving checklist

Before you travel

☐ Check the rules for your country of departure
☐ Confirm your animal's identification
☐ Check the rabies vaccination and its validity
☐ Establish whether a 21-day waiting period applies
☐ Establish whether a rabies antibody test is required
☐ Arrange any required health certificate
☐ Check your pet passport or other travel documentation
☐ Confirm your transport provider's requirements
☐ Save veterinary records and emergency contacts
☐ Prepare food, water, medication and travel equipment

After arriving in Portugal

☐ Allow your animal time to settle
☐ Find a local veterinarian
☐ Ask about SIAC registration
☐ Obtain or update the DIAC where applicable
☐ Check your contact and identification information
☐ Establish a local veterinary and emergency-care plan
☐ Gradually introduce your animal to its new surroundings

The most important rule: check your specific journey

Pet travel regulations are not one-size-fits-all.

The requirements can differ according to the animal's species, country of origin, vaccination history and whether the movement is commercial or non-commercial. Rules can also change, so information from an older website, previous move or another pet owner may no longer be correct.

The Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV) is Portugal's official authority for animal health and veterinary matters and publishes the current requirements for animals entering Portugal. Check its guidance for your specific country and circumstances before travelling.

A little preparation well in advance can prevent a great deal of stress later.

Plan the veterinary requirements first, confirm the paperwork, check the transport arrangements, and give your pet time to settle once you arrive.