What do I need to bring my dog or cat to Portugal?

The rule that catches people is the order, not the list. The microchip has to be implanted before the rabies vaccination. A vaccine given to an unchipped animal does not count, and the whole clock restarts with a new shot and another 21 days.

The timeline

1. ISO 11784 or 11785 microchip, implanted first.
2. Rabies vaccination, given at 12 weeks of age or older, after the chip.
3. Wait at least 21 days from that vaccination before travelling. A puppy or kitten therefore cannot enter before roughly 15 weeks old, and animals aged 12 to 16 weeks with a vaccine less than 21 days old are refused.
4. Health documents: an EU pet passport issued by an EU vet, or the official non-commercial health certificate for a third country.
5. Send DGAV's arrival form to the Ponto de Entrada dos Viajantes at least 48 hours before you land. This is the owner's job, not the airline's.
6. Register the animal in SIAC after arrival. Only a veterinarian can do it, and you must keep the address and ownership details updated.

You can bring up to five animals under the non-commercial rules. Entry from outside the EU is only through designated traveller entry points, which for pets means Lisbon or Porto airports, and Lisbon's point of entry is closed between midnight and 06:00.

The titer test

Portugal only requires a rabies antibody test for animals coming from high risk countries, which DGAV's list covers as the African continent, Brazil, Venezuela and Ukraine. The blood sample is taken at least 30 days after vaccination, and then you wait 90 days before travelling. That is a four month lead time, so start it before you book anything.

Coming from the United States

No titer test. The non-commercial EU health certificate is valid for 30 days from issue by a USDA accredited vet, and the animal must arrive within 10 days of USDA endorsement, so the signature and the flight have to be sequenced tightly.

Coming from the United Kingdom

A UK issued pet passport is no longer valid. You need a third country animal health certificate endorsed by APHA. An EU pet passport issued by an EU vet still works.

One date to watch

Regulation (EU) 2026/131 replaced Regulation 577/2013 on 22 April 2026, and the new certificate format becomes mandatory on 1 October 2026. If your vet appointment falls near that date, ask which form they are issuing.