News article by Raquel Babo, Lawyer - International Atlantic Services

Are you planning to bring your pets to Portugal? It's important to understand the specific regulations and requirements for relocating with your furry family members. Whether you have cats, dogs, or other animals, compliance with both European Union (EU) regulations and Portuguese laws is necessary to ensure a smooth and safe transition for your pets.

Before delving into the key requirements, consider the prerequisites:

• Your pets must be at least 12 weeks old to travel and come to Portugal or between 12 and 16 weeks old and with anti-rabies vaccinations less than 12 days;
• They cannot be pregnant;
• You cannot bring more than 5 pets at once;
• If they are not coming with you on the same day, they cannot arrive more than 5 days after you.

Once your pet meets these prerequisites, ensure they are microchipped according to specific standards (ISO 11784 or ISO 11785) and that all contact information is updated. This ensures that the microchip can be read by a standard scanner used by veterinarians and authorities, being a crucial identification tool, linking your pet to its health records.

Additionally, make sure your pet has a valid rabies vaccination, administered after microchipping and at least 21 days before travel. The vaccination certificate must include the pet's microchip number, date of vaccination, and the validity period.

Depending on your citizenship, you'll need different documentation. EU citizens require a pet passport issued by an authorized veterinarian in their home country, while non-EU citizens need to obtain a veterinary certificate from an official veterinarian in their origin country. This certificate must be endorsed by the competent authority and include information about the pet's microchip number, rabies vaccination, and health status. Non-EU citizens also need to obtain an import permit from the Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (DGAV) in Portugal. It is also mandatory to contact the Travellers’ Point of Entry in writing, at least 48 hours before arrival.

Please note that this information only pertains to dogs, cats, and ferrets. Portugal has additional restrictions and regulations for other animals. Some may not be allowed to enter or have stringent entry requirements, specifically, exotic and wild animals, endangered or invasive species, agricultural animals, birds (they have specific requirements and restrictions, including a health certificate and quarantine), and rodents and rabbits (which require special authorization from DGAV).

Bringing a pet to Portugal requires careful planning, but by understanding and complying with these requirements, you can look forward to enjoying your new life in Portugal with your furry companions by your side.