New EU regulations came into force on 22 April 2026. Core requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, EU pet passport for intra-EU travel) remain the same. Key changes: stricter document verification at all EU border checkpoints; the EU pet passport is now absolutely mandatory for intra-EU travel; digital pre-registration is now available and recommended; sequencing rules (microchip before vaccination) are more rigorously enforced. UK families specifically: EU pet passports issued to GB residents are no longer valid for GB→EU travel — you must use an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for every trip. Pet birds now require alphanumeric ID tagging and may be subject to quarantine. For EU residents moving within the EU, the day-to-day obligations in Portugal (microchip, SIAC registration, up-to-date vaccinations) remain unchanged.
d:#f0f7f4;border-left:4px solid #2d6a4f;padding:16px 20px;margin:0 0 28px;border-radius:4px;”>TL;DR: Moving pets to Portugal requires a microchip, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and an EU Pet Passport (for EU-origin pets) or Animal Health Certificate (for UK/US pets). The process is manageable with 2–3 months’ preparation.Moving to Portugal with pets is very doable — Portugal is a genuinely pet-friendly country and there’s no quarantine for animals arriving with correct documentation. But the paperwork has real timelines, and getting the sequence wrong can mean delays or, in the worst case, your pet not being allowed to travel on your planned date.
This guide covers the requirements for EU and non-EU families, what changed in April 2026, the specific rules for British families post-Brexit, and what to expect when you arrive in Porto with a dog or cat.
⚠️ Pet travel rules are updated regularly by the EU and Portuguese authorities. Always verify current requirements with your vet and with DGAV (Portugal’s Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary) before travel. This guide reflects rules as of mid-2026.
The Good News: No Quarantine in Portugal
Portugal does not impose quarantine on pets that arrive with correct documentation and are healthy on arrival. If your paperwork is in order and your pet meets the microchip and vaccination requirements, they travel with you and come home with you. No separation, no holding facility.
This is one of the things that surprises families most — they expect the process to be more disruptive than it is. The administration is real, but the arrival itself is typically smooth.
The Three Non-Negotiables: Microchip, Rabies Vaccination, Documentation
Regardless of where you’re travelling from, every dog, cat, or ferret entering Portugal needs three things:
1. ISO-compliant microchip
Your pet must have a 15-digit ISO-compliant microchip (ISO standard 11784 or 11785). This is the standard used across the EU. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant — which can happen with older US-implanted chips — you’ll need either a second compliant chip or to travel with your own reader.
Critically: the microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is given. If the vaccine was given first, the primary vaccination doesn’t count for EU entry purposes and the timing clock starts again from the chip implantation date.
2. Rabies vaccination
All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks old must have a current rabies vaccination. The vaccination must be administered after the microchip implantation. For a first (primary) rabies vaccination, you must wait at least 21 days before travelling — do not count the day of the vaccination in that wait period.
Booster vaccinations (where the previous vaccine hasn’t lapsed) don’t require the 21-day wait.
3. Documentation
The type of document required depends on where you’re travelling from:
- From an EU country: EU Pet Passport — a lifetime document issued by an authorised EU vet, containing microchip details, vaccination history, and owner information.
- From a non-EU country (including the UK and US): Animal Health Certificate (AHC) — a single-trip document, valid for 10 days for entry into the EU and up to 4 months for onward travel within the EU. A new AHC is required for each trip from outside the EU.
EU Families: The Straightforward Route
If you’re moving from another EU country, the process is simple. Your pet needs a valid EU Pet Passport — issued by any authorised EU vet — with the microchip number, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and your details recorded. That’s it.
The EU Pet Passport is a lifetime document. As long as the health information inside it stays current (particularly the rabies booster), you don’t need a new one. From April 22, 2026, the EU Pet Passport became mandatory (rather than just recommended) for non-commercial movement of pets between EU countries.
Portugal additionally requires mandatory microchipping and registration in the national SIAC database for dogs, cats, and ferrets. If your pet isn’t already registered in an equivalent EU database, arrange SIAC registration after arriving — your Portuguese vet can help with this.
British Families: What Changed Post-Brexit
This is where the most confusion lies, and it’s worth being explicit.
Before Brexit, UK pets could travel to Portugal on an EU Pet Passport. Since January 2021, the UK is a third country for pet travel purposes. The rules changed again in April 2026, tightening the framework further.
From April 22, 2026, British families moving to Portugal need:
- An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip from Great Britain to Portugal
- The AHC must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) in the UK — not all vets are licensed for this; book in advance
- The AHC is valid for 10 days from issue for entry into Portugal
- Once you’re legally resident in Portugal and your pet is registered with a Portuguese vet, you can obtain an EU Pet Passport and use that for all future travel within the EU
If your pet received a rabies booster outside the EU (e.g., at a UK vet during a visit home after you’ve moved), note that this voids the EU Pet Passport. You’ll need a new AHC for re-entry. Keep rabies boosters within the EU once you’re settled in Portugal.
US and Other Non-EU Families
The process for US families involves a few more steps due to the USDA endorsement requirement:
- Ensure your pet has an ISO-compliant microchip (implanted before the rabies vaccination)
- Get a rabies vaccination from a USDA-accredited vet at least 21 days before travel
- Obtain a health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet, endorsed by your local USDA-APHIS office — this must be done 7–10 days before departure
- The AHC is valid for 10 days for entry; coordinate your travel dates accordingly
One detail US families frequently miss: even if your pet has had a 3-year rabies vaccine, if it’s their first rabies vaccination after the microchip implantation (a “primary” vaccination under EU rules), it’s only valid for one year for EU entry purposes. Confirm this with your vet and ensure the certificate reflects it correctly.
Some families use specialist pet relocation services for the US-to-Portugal move — companies like AE Pets International have experience coordinating the USDA paperwork and Portuguese entry process. Worth considering if the documentation feels overwhelming.
Travelling by Air: Airline Rules
Each airline sets its own pet policy, and they vary considerably. Key things to check before booking:
- In-cabin vs cargo hold: Small pets (typically under 8kg including carrier) can often travel in-cabin. Larger dogs must travel in the hold. Check the specific weight limits — they differ by airline.
- Breed restrictions: Brachycephalic breeds (French bulldogs, pugs, bulldogs, Persian cats, etc.) face restrictions on many airlines including TAP Air Portugal due to respiratory risks at altitude. Check your breed specifically.
- Carrier requirements: In-cabin carriers must fit under the seat. Hold carriers must meet IATA standards and be large enough for your pet to stand, turn, and lie down. Give your pet time to get used to the carrier before travel.
- TAP Air Portugal flies direct from several UK and European cities to Porto and Lisbon. Check their current pet policy directly as it’s subject to change.
Arriving in Portugal With Your Pet
At Porto or Lisbon airport, pets arriving from outside the EU will be checked at the designated Travellers’ Entry Point (PEV). Staff will scan the microchip, check that the number matches the documentation, and verify the vaccination dates. A microchip number mismatch — even a small typographical error — can result in a mandatory 21-day quarantine and revaccination. Double-check all numbers before you travel.
Families arriving from the UK or US are advised to notify Portuguese authorities in advance by completing a Notice of Arrival form — your vet or pet relocation service can advise on this.
If arriving from another EU country with a valid EU Pet Passport, the process is generally a formality.
Registering Your Pet in Portugal
Once you’re settled, register your pet with a local vet in Porto as soon as possible. They’ll register your pet in the Portuguese national SIAC database (mandatory for dogs, cats, and ferrets) and issue or update the EU Pet Passport if needed.
Finding a vet in Porto: English-speaking vets are available in Foz do Douro, Boavista, and Matosinhos — ask in the Porto expat Facebook groups for current recommendations. Routine vet costs in Portugal are generally lower than in the UK or US.
Summary Checklist
EU families moving to Portugal:
- ISO-compliant microchip ✓
- Current rabies vaccination (administered after microchip) ✓
- Valid EU Pet Passport ✓
- Register in SIAC database on arrival ✓
British families moving to Portugal:
- ISO-compliant microchip ✓
- Rabies vaccination from UK vet (21 days before travel if primary) ✓
- Animal Health Certificate from Official Veterinarian, endorsed within 10 days of travel ✓
- Obtain EU Pet Passport from Portuguese vet once resident ✓
US families moving to Portugal:
- ISO-compliant microchip (before rabies vaccine) ✓
- Rabies vaccination from USDA-accredited vet (21 days before travel if primary) ✓
- Health certificate endorsed by USDA-APHIS (7–10 days before departure) ✓
- Register with Portuguese vet and SIAC on arrival ✓
Pet travel rules are updated regularly. Always verify current requirements with your vet, with the DGAV (Portugal’s official veterinary authority), and with your airline before travel. This is not veterinary or legal advice.
Planning the move? Our free family relocation checklist covers the full move timeline — visas, schools, healthcare, and more.