Portugal
Entry Requirements
Is Portugal a good place to travel or relocate to with pets?
Here are reviews and details to help you see if Portugal is a good place to travel with your cats and/or dogs
Official EU government website on importing pets
Official government website on pets coming from the US to Portugal
Portugal Entry Requirements for Dogs and Cats from Non-high Rabies Country
Medical Requirements:
The anti-rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of travel.
For first-time vaccinations or if a previous vaccination has not been kept valid, you need to wait at least 21 days before traveling.
Documentation Required and how to get it:
Health certificates are issued by veterinarians from the country of departure.
For pets coming from the US, that certificate has to be endorsed by a USDA Endorsement Office. A valid endorsement must be obtained ten days before your pet is scheduled to arrive in the European Union.
If you are flying into Portugal from outside the EU, you need to inform the airport of your arrival through the DGAV at least 48 hours in advance.
It is pretty simple to travel between countries in the EU, and all the information you need is recorded in the pet passport.
Upon arrival in any EU country, it is recommended to get an EU pet passport for pets traveling within the EU or returning repeatedly. Future visits can be made with the EU pet passport instead of a health certificate.
Airlines may require additional documentation from a vet stating that the pet is fit to travel.
Entry Requirements for Pets in Portugal from High Rabies Country
Medical Requirements:
The anti-rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of travel.
Get an EU-authorized lab to analyze your rabies titration test (blood sample) three months before traveling (list of rabies testing authorized laboratories on the Europa website). As long as the rabies vaccine remains current, the results of an initial test will remain valid.
Documentation Required and how to get it:
Health certificates are issued by veterinarians from the country of departure. Make sure you check the timeline requirements of the departure country.
If you are flying into Portugal from outside the EU, you need to inform the airport of your arrival through the DGAV at least 48 hours in advance.
Upon arrival in any EU country, it is recommended to get an EU pet passport for pets traveling throughout the EU or returning repeatedly. Future visits can be made with the EU pet passport instead of a health certificate.
Airlines may require additional documentation from a vet stating that the pet is fit to travel.
Additional Considerations
Microchip Requirements:
(ISO) standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 microchips given before or at the time of the rabies vaccine.
Quarantine Requirements (if any):
NA other than exceptional circumstances
Portugal Dog Breed Restrictions:
You must register breeds of dogs considered dangerous, and place them on the dangerous animals register. They need to wear a leash and muzzle in public.
Number of pet restrictions:
5 pets per person
Is this country considered high-risk rabies for entry into the US?
No
Is this country considered high rabies for entry into EU countries?
No
Are you flying to Portugal?
Read Flying with a Dog Under the Airplane Seat: The Ultimate Guide
Read Flying with a Big Dog: Travel Tips for Ease & Safety
This information was last updated January 2023. If you notice any errors or updates, please let us know by contacting us here.
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5 Reviews on “Portugal”
So far, my experience here in Portugal with my puppy has been about 90% positive, which is pretty good, right? When it comes to cafés, we’re stoked to see that they usually have water bowls for dogs. And even though some beaches have restrictions during the summer, we’ve found that off-season, beaches are usually available for dogs. Sometimes, the signs say that they can’t go on the beaches, but we’ve learned that if you’re discreet and your dog is well-trained, you can still go. If it’s not too busy, we like to go off to the side of the beach to avoid any issues. Early in the morning or later in the evenings also seems to work well.
We’re also big fans of hiking trails at the Sintra Forest with our pup. One thing we don’t do is take our dog inside stores, but we love dining alfresco with our friends and their dogs. Just watch out for the “roamers” – that’s what I call the dogs who have homes but are allowed to roam the streets. You definitely want to watch where you’re stepping, but they mostly seem to mind their own business or have a cautiously friendly interaction with our dog.
One thing we’ve noticed is that dogs off-leash are usually not well-trained. The owners don’t seem to have them under voice command or have taught them basic behavior. We’ve had a few negative experiences with dogs annoying and harassing our well-behaved pup!
But in Lisbon, there are lots of dogs around, and we’re surprised by the large choice of vets, groomers, and pet stores available.
Let me tell you, Portugal is not the most dog-friendly place compared to other places in Europe, but don’t worry, you can still make it work. I think it is a little better for living than vacationing since it’s easier to find a place to live with a dog than to find an airbnb that takes dogs. Although not always in Lisbon since housing is going bonkers right now.
Around Lisbon, some neighborhoods like Benfica, Cascais, Penha de França, Saldanha, São Pedro do Estoril, Campo de Ourique, Arroios, and Alvalade are pretty good for living with dogs. Just watch out for the dog poop on the sidewalks, seriously, it’s everywhere!
When it comes to public transport, there are some limitations. On the train from Faro to Lisbon, bigger dogs need a muzzle, and small dogs need their own ticket (but don’t get a seat). On the Lisbon subway, you don’t need a muzzle or ticket, but people might look at you like you have two heads. Dogs aren’t allowed on buses unless they can fit under the seat in front of you, and the trolley around Lisbon doesn’t allow dogs either, but once I had a conductor who turned a blind eye.
On the bright side, people in Portugal are generally friendly towards dogs. During walks, strangers will come up to pet my dog and chat with me. And some apartments even have courtyards with terraces.
If I need a taxi, I use Uber Pet or Bolt Pet because regular taxis usually don’t accept dogs especially bigger ones, and can actually be a little rude about it.
I love Portugal and moved here full time in 2017. My dog is Portuguese, a rescue from a local shelter. She goes everywhere she is allowed with me. We live in an apartment with a terrace, she we have outdoor space. She is a city dog and is used to being around other dogs and people. We have parks in our town that are fabulous to walk in. And, we drive to the beach and lagoon a few times a week. It’s there that she can run free and be a proper dog!
Portugal lags behind the rest of Europe regarding companion animals. It is hard to see how many dogs are forced to live by owners who regard them as security or hunting only. The shelters are overflowing with abandoned pets. People either can’t afford or chose not to neuter or spay their animals. Puppies are found in dumpsters or abandoned in the woods daily. My girl’s litter was found at a empty house with two hunting dogs on chains. Dogs barking all day and night is common. There is finally a law restricting the use of short chains.
Most hotels and restaurants are NOT pet friendly. Many are pet hostile. You can sit outdoors with dogs at many cafes and restaurants but never inside.
Hiking and outdoors is the best part. In most areas, beaches and nature parks without traffic my dogs can run free. The only danger is loose dogs at properties near by being territorial.
It is improving slowly as the younger generation initiates change.
Thanks for sharing. I’m glad to hear how the system is shifting to support more responsible dog ownership. I know I enjoy seeing how much fun your dog has at the beach
I bought my 30 kilo rescue dog from Thailand to Portugal. Preparation for bringing my dog and cat with me from a country outside the EU to Portugal began four months before leaving SE Asia. The results for the Rabies test needed to come from an approved vet in the EU – and that’s what took up the time.
Basically, first stop was microchip and rabies test. Three weeks later, a blood test that was sent to Europe for results. If that failed, the process needed to start again. And then wait three months, before allowed to enter Europe. Just before leaving Bangkok, a health check and fleas and tick treatment was needed, followed by a check from the airport vet.
Crate training before flying is a very good idea. Liver treats worked well on my dog as training bribes.
Leaving Portugal to move to Malta was incredibly easy. Just needed an EU passport from the vet and make sure her rabies inoculations were all up to date.
I travelled a lot around Portugal with my dog. There are many dog friendly hotels and guesthouses and she was welcome at most cafes and restaurants. Note that some hotels have a size restriction allowing dogs up to 10 kilos. My dog is about 30 kilos.
Before arriving in Portugal, you need to notify the airport vet in advance, who goes through all the paperwork, charges a small fee and gives the final stamp of approval. It’s imperative to have the right paperwork, they were very thorough at the airport in Lisbon.
I never felt my dog was in any danger in Portugal – it was far safer for her there than in Asia. However, regular flea and tick treatment was a must.
Portugal is great for small dogs and cats, but probably more difficult for big/energetic dogs unless you live out of the urban centers. Most people live in apartments or other kinds of attached housing. There really aren’t tons of single family homes with yards. Even then, they tend to be pretty close together. For Americans who are used to having a big yard for their pets, it can be tricky to come by. It’s an adjustment. You have to take your dog on a walk to use the bathroom etc or train them on pee pads. I make sure to look up where parks are compared to where I’m staying because my dogs aren’t used to going to the bathroom on hard surfaces. I think training to use the bathroom on command will be an important step to a happy life in many places in Europe. Portugal has tons of beautiful long sandy beaches. Dogs are not supposed to be on the beach during the high season, but outside of summer, I can’t imagine a more picturesque place to let them tear around (assuming they have good recall). After, you can pick one of the tons of cafes that line the beach and settle in with your pup to relax for a while.