The journey from Dominican Republic to Portugal for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. Set aside roughly 20-24 weeks for this route and keep a close eye on the …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Dominican Republic to Portugal
typically takes around 20-24 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Dominican Republic to Portugal import process
01
First step. Microchip must precede all vaccinations.
Implant ISO microchip before any vaccinations
Responsible: Dominican Republic veterinarian
02
After microchipping. Wait at least 30 days before blood draw for titre test.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Dominican Republic veterinarian
03
At least 30 days after vaccination. Ship sample to an EU-approved laboratory. Allow 2-4 weeks for results from receipt of sample.
FAVN titre test blood draw at an EU-approved laboratory
Responsible: Dominican Republic veterinarian plus EU-approved laboratory
04
Mandatory. Cannot be shortened. The clock starts from the blood draw date.
90-day mandatory wait from the date of successful blood draw
Responsible: N/A
05
During the 90-day wait. Confirm live animal acceptance on all segments.
Book cargo from Santo Domingo (SDQ) to Lisbon (LIS) via TAP, Iberia via Madrid, or KLM via Amsterdam
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
06
Within 10 days of travel to Portugal.
EU-format health certificate from DIGEGA-authorised vet, endorsed by DIGEGA
Responsible: DIGEGA-authorised vet and DIGEGA
07
Travel day.
Travel to Portugal. DGAV inspection at Lisbon Airport on arrival.
Responsible: Airline, DGAV at LIS
Requirements
Portugal entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 compliant (15-digit) microchip. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days must have elapsed since primary vaccination. Blood draw for the titre test must occur at least 30 days after vaccination. Source: DGAV, dgav.pt.
Rabies titre test
Required. The Dominican Republic is an EU unlisted country. An FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory is mandatory. Minimum result: 0.5 IU/ml. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. A 90-day wait from the date of the successful blood draw must pass before the animal can enter Portugal (or any EU member state). Source: EU Regulation 2020/692; DGAV, dgav.pt.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant arrivals. Inspection at the border post at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) by DGAV veterinary officers.
Import permit
Not required for personal companion animals.
Health certificate
EU-format non-commercial health certificate from a DIGEGA-authorised vet, endorsed by DIGEGA. Valid 10 days from issue as the EU entry document. Source: EU Regulation 2020/692.
Leaving Dominican Republic
Export requirements
Export permit
No formal export permit required for personal companion pets from the Dominican Republic.
Veterinary inspection
Clinical examination by a DIGEGA-authorised official vet within 10 days of travel.
Health certificate
EU-format official export health certificate issued by a DIGEGA-authorised veterinarian in the Dominican Republic, endorsed by the Direccion General de Ganaderia (DIGEGA) under the Ministry of Agriculture. Must comply with EU Regulation (EU) 2020/692 for non-commercial pet movement from unlisted countries. Issued within 10 days of travel. Source: agricultura.gob.do.
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory plus international sample shipping: DOP 5,000-12,000 (approximately EUR 80-190)
EU health certificate from DIGEGA-authorised vet: DOP 2,000-6,000 (approximately EUR 32-96)
Cargo SDQ to LIS via TAP or connecting hub: EUR 600-1,900 depending on carrier and crate size
IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 80-300
Pet transport agent (recommended): EUR 400-1,000
Total typical range: EUR 1,000-3,200 across a 5-6 month preparation period
Critical points
The 90-day wait after a successful titre test is a legal minimum under EU regulations. It cannot be shortened. The clock runs from the blood draw date, not the date results are received.
Microchip must precede vaccination. If the microchip is implanted after the rabies vaccination, that vaccination does not count for EU purposes and the sequence must restart.
The Dominican Republic is classified as an EU unlisted country. The FAVN titre test is mandatory regardless of vaccination history.
International blood sample shipping from the Dominican Republic requires temperature management and correct courier documentation. Confirm your vet or a pet transport specialist can coordinate this before booking travel.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal operates services between Santo Domingo Las Americas (SDQ) and Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), making it the most direct cargo option for this route. Contact TAP Cargo for live animal procedures, freight rates, and current schedule information. TAP Cargo handles live animals on transatlantic routes.
Cargo Only
Iberia
Iberia connects SDQ to Madrid Barajas (MAD) with onward connections to Lisbon. This hub routing adds a segment compared to TAP direct, but is a practical alternative if TAP schedules do not align. Contact Iberia Cargo for live animal procedures on the transatlantic segment.
Cargo Only
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM operates from SDQ to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), with connections to Lisbon via TAP or other carriers. An Amsterdam hub routing is less direct than TAP but is a viable alternative. Contact KLM Cargo for live animal rates and schedules.
Cargo Only
Portugal import rules, explained
Portugal has a detailed set of import rules, and each one needs to be satisfied before travel. None of it is unusual, but the order and timing are what catch people out.
Practical tips for this move
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Portugal applies EU rules for unlisted countries. The Dominican Republic is not on the EU list of countries with equivalent rabies controls, so the FAVN titre test is mandatory for all dogs and cats. The test confirms the rabies vaccination is effective (result at least 0.5 IU/ml). A 90-day wait from the blood draw date then applies before EU entry.
TAP Cargo handles live animals on transatlantic routes. Contact TAP Cargo directly to confirm live animal acceptance on your specific travel date, freight rates, and crate size requirements.
At least 20 to 24 weeks from the date of the blood draw. Allow 30 days from vaccination to blood draw, then 90 days from the blood draw, then additional weeks for cargo booking and health certificate logistics. If the vaccination still needs to be given, add that to the start of the timeline.
No quarantine for compliant arrivals. DGAV officers at Lisbon Airport inspect documents and release pets whose paperwork is in order. Non-compliant arrivals may be held at the border post’s facilities at the owner’s expense.
Airline guides
TAP Air Portugal
Iberia
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.