At a glance
- Typical timeline: 1-2 weeks from start to arrival
- Complexity: Low — plan well ahead
- Quarantine: No quarantine for EU-compliant pets arriving with a valid EU Pet Passport.
Portugal is a popular destination for Scandinavian expats and holidaymakers – and for good reason. It is also one of the easiest destinations for Danish pet owners, since both countries are EU member states.
Your EU Pet Passport is the only document you need. No titre test, no import permit, no quarantine. Check the vaccination expiry date, confirm cabin space, and fly.
The practical considerations are mainly about the summer rush: Algarve-bound flights in July and August are heavily booked, and cabin pet spaces go fast.
The Journey, Step by Step
What Portugal Requires
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be recorded in the EU Pet Passport.
Rabies Vaccination
Required. Must be current and recorded in the EU Pet Passport.
Titre Test
Not required for intra-EU movements.
Quarantine
No quarantine for EU-compliant pets arriving with a valid EU Pet Passport.
Import Permit
Not required for intra-EU pet movements.
Health Certificate
EU Pet Passport issued by an authorised vet in Denmark is the required document.
What to Budget For
- Airline cabin fee (intra-EU, varies by carrier)
- IATA-compliant soft carrier or hard crate
- Veterinary fee if rabies vaccination needs renewal
Before You Leave Denmark
Show export requirements from Denmark
Export permit: Not required. Intra-EU pet movement.
Health certificate: EU Pet Passport is the required travel document for intra-EU movements. Issued by an authorised veterinarian in Denmark.
Things to Know Before You Book
What Portugal requires from EU pet travellers
Portugal’s DGAV (Directorate-General of Food and Veterinary) oversees pet imports. For EU travellers, the rules are the same as across the EU: a valid EU Pet Passport with current microchip and rabies vaccination records is all that is needed.
On arrival at Lisbon, Porto, or Faro, DGAV may conduct a documentary check. For compliant intra-EU arrivals, this is a brief passport check. No quarantine. No additional tests.
One specific exception to flag: if you are travelling onwards to the Azores or Madeira, these islands have their own rules and may require additional documentation even for pets travelling from mainland EU. Confirm directly with DGAV or your airline before including island travel in your plans.
The journey from Copenhagen to Portugal
TAP Air Portugal is the obvious first choice for this route. They connect from Lisbon and fly to Danish connections, and their cabin pet policy allows small pets in the cabin. TAP Cargo handles larger pets.
Ryanair operates direct flights from Copenhagen to Lisbon and Faro, and they accept small cabin pets on most European routes. For summer Algarve travel this is a popular option – but cabin pet space is limited and fills up months in advance during peak season.
The flight from Copenhagen to Lisbon is around 3 hours 20 minutes. It is a comfortable cabin journey for most cats and small dogs. For medium to large dogs, the cargo hold on this route is a 3-4 hour trip in a pressurised, temperature-controlled environment.
Summer temperatures in Portugal can be extreme. If you are flying cargo in July or August, confirm that your airline does not have temperature embargoes that would affect your flight. Early morning flights avoid the worst of the heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.