Portugal Pet Import Guide: EU Entry Rules, Non-EU Requirements, and What UK Owners Need
Portugal’s warm climate, good infrastructure, and expat-friendly culture make it one of the most popular relocation destinations in Europe. Bringing your pet along is straightforward for most travellers – but the Azores and Madeira have stricter rules that catch people out.
Pets from within the EU
EU-to-Portugal travel uses the standard EU pet passport system. Your pet needs a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination recorded in their EU passport. No additional documentation needed.
Pets from outside the EU (including the UK)
Post-Brexit requirements for UK pets entering Portugal (and all EU member states):
- ISO 15-digit microchip
- Rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel
- Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by a UK Official Veterinarian and endorsed by APHA, within 10 days of travel
No titre test, no quarantine for mainland Portugal.
The Azores and Madeira
This is where people get surprised. The Azores (Acores) and Madeira are Portuguese autonomous regions and are classified as rabies-free territories by the EU. This means they apply stricter import rules:
For dogs and cats from non-EU countries (including the UK) entering the Azores or Madeira:
- ISO microchip
- Rabies vaccination series (primary course + booster at least 30 days apart)
- Rabies titre test from an EU-recognised lab showing at least 0.5 IU/mL, taken at least 90 days before travel to the islands
- All usual documentation and AHC
The 90-day stand-down after the titre test is the critical item. If your dog has never had a titre test, the earliest you can travel to the Azores or Madeira is 90 days after getting a satisfactory test result. Start planning at least 6 months in advance.
Arriving in mainland Portugal
Pets arriving from outside the EU enter through a Border Inspection Post. Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport and Porto Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport both have BIP facilities. Check that your specific flight arrives at an airport with a BIP for live animals.
Getting an EU pet passport after arrival
Once your pet has arrived in Portugal and is registered with a licensed Portuguese vet, they can be issued an EU pet passport for future travel within the EU. This simplifies future trips within the Schengen area considerably.
Source
DGAV (Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary, Portugal): dgav.pt (verified May 2026). APHA UK: gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain (verified May 2026). EU pet travel: ec.europa.eu/food/animals/pet-movement (verified May 2026).