Official customs dog/cat import policy obtained: permits, rabies, antibody testing and arrival examination.
Documents and permits
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Obtain the agricultural Veterinary Department’s import permit before importing the pets.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Carry the exporting country’s health document with the animal, accepted in the actual permit process.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Approved rabies vaccination must be at least 30 days and no more than one year before export.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
An official veterinarian records the rabies vaccine type, serial, expiry and administration date.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
A licensed/accredited veterinary authority examines the pet and issues its health-status certificate.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
The animal must be free of internal and external parasites.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
The page calls for heartworm testing, treatment and certification of freedom from heartworm; confirm the dog’s accepted procedure.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
RNATT/FAVN follows vaccination by at least one month, with neutralising antibodies of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
A reputable rabies reference laboratory sends results directly to Veterinary Services before permit issuance.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
A port quarantine inspector examines the animal/documents and may accept or reject it according to its condition.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Provide the dog’s current DHLPP+C immunisation record or records for other relevant endemic diseases.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
DGAV’s Portugal departure guidance accepts an EU passport with official signature/stamp in its clinical-examination section.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
Confirm cat-specific vaccines and heartworm procedures; the page’s canine DHLPP+C wording must not be imposed on cats.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
Confirm examination/document validity, laboratory acceptance and route; three-to-four-week processing guidance is not a mandatory quarantine or waiting period.
Selected official customs requirements for healthy adult personal dogs/cats from all countries. Current origin admission, certificate acceptance, species-specific instructions and carrier must still be confirmed. DGAV passport guidance is limited to Portugal departure; its return-to-EU section is not an entry rule.
