Bringing a pet to Portugal

• Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785)Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, or the vaccine is not recognised.
• Rabies vaccinationPet must be at least 12 weeks old. Valid 21 days after the primary dose.
• Rabies antibody (titer) test — required from some origin countriesFAVN/RNATT rabies antibody test; the result must be ≥ 0.5 IU/ml. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination; the sample must be taken not less than 90 days before the date of issue of the health certificate (the certificate is issued before entry, so counting to entry is the stricter reading). Testing is limited to EU-approved laboratories.
• Official health certificate (EU Animal Health Certificate (new Reg 2026/705 format from 2026-10-01))Endorsed by Competent authority of the country of departure (USDA APHIS for the United States). Enter within 10 days of endorsement.
• Check breed restrictionsSome breeds are banned or restricted — see the breed rules section.
• Travel through an approved point of entry⚠Pending official confirmationTo be confirmed against the current list of designated points of entry on Portugal's DGAV official website

1. 1
   Before vaccination
   Microchip

   Implant the ISO microchip first — the rabies vaccine only counts once the pet is chipped.

2. 2
   Day 0
   Rabies vaccination

   Pet must be at least 12 weeks old.

3. 3
   After 21 days
   Rabies vaccine becomes valid

   Earliest eligible entry date for listed / low-risk origin countries.

4. 4
   Unlisted origins only
   Rabies antibody titer test + waiting period

   FAVN/RNATT rabies antibody test; the result must be ≥ 0.5 IU/ml. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination; the sample must be taken not less than 90 days before the date of issue of the health certificate (the certificate is issued before entry, so counting to entry is the stricter reading). Testing is limited to EU-approved laboratories.

5. 5
   ≤ 10 days before entry
   Health certificate issued and endorsed

   Endorsed by Competent authority of the country of departure (USDA APHIS for the United States).

6. 6
   Arrival
   Entry checks at an approved point

   No routine quarantine when all requirements are met.

No entry fee on the Portugal side (non-commercial movement from listed countries). A separate USDA endorsement fee applies on the US side (amount to be confirmed). After taking up residence you must register with SIAC (siac.pt).

Restricted: Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu

Under Decreto-Lei 315/2009, the 7 breeds listed above and their crosses are 'potentially dangerous dogs': entry is allowed, but the owner must have no criminal record in the past 5 years (Art. 5) and hold liability insurance; in public places the dog must wear a muzzle and be kept on a non-retractable lead no longer than 1 metre, and the handler must be at least 16 years old; dogs without a pedigree must be neutered at 4-6 months of age (Art. 19(3)); breaching these duties is a contraordenação económica grave under DL 315/2009 Art. 38(1) (current consolidated text): the fine for a natural person is €650–1,500 (RJCE / DL 9/2021 Art. 18(b)(i); halved for negligence, doubled where there is personal or material harm or a profit above the ceiling; legal persons pay up to €24,000 by company size). Historical: before 2021-07-28 the fine was €500–3,740 under the original Art. 38, since repealed by DL 9/2021.