In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Italy to Portugal
typically takes around 4-6 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
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Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
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Overview
If you are relocating a pet from Italy to Portugal, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Give yourself roughly 4-6 weeks, though this route carries fewer hurdles than most. Compliant pets are not held in quarantine on arrival.
No rabies titre test is required. Use the timeline below to plan backwards from your travel date.
Step by step
The Italy to Portugal process
1
First step. Must predate vaccination records.
Check microchip ISO compliance in EU Pet Passport
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
Check expiry date. If lapsed, revaccinate and wait 21 days.
Verify rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
2-3 weeks before travel. Authorised Italian vet.
EU Pet Passport review
Responsible: Authorised veterinarian
4
Book early. TAP cabin pet spaces are limited.
Book TAP or connecting airline and register cabin pet
Responsible: You
5
Well before travel. Check dimensions against chosen airline's specifications.
Prepare soft-sided IATA-compliant carrier
Responsible: You
Checklist
Portugal: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in EU Pet Passport.
Rabies vaccination
Required and current. Recorded in EU Pet Passport.
Rabies titre test
Not required for intra-EU travel.
Quarantine
No quarantine for EU to EU travel.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU Pet Passport only. DGAV (Portugal's Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs) enforces EU companion animal rules.
EU Pet Passport covers intra-EU movement. Issued by an Italian Ministry of Health authorised vet.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Cabin pet fee (typically 40-70 EUR on European routes)
2
Soft-sided carrier meeting IATA and airline dimensions
3
Vet fee for EU Pet Passport update if required
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Ryanair and easyJet both operate Italy-Portugal at attractive fares but accept no pets at all.
⚠ Vaccination lapse means a 21-day wait after revaccination before travel is allowed.
⚠ Source: EU Regulation 2019/2035; DGAV Portugal (dgav.pt).
Carriers
Airlines on this route
TAP Air Portugal
Cabin pets accepted (up to 8kg including carrier). Direct Lisbon and Porto services from Rome and Milan. One of the more pet-friendly carriers for this route. Book pet space at ticket purchase.
Cabin and Cargo
ITA Airways
Cabin pets (up to 10kg with carrier). Can connect to Lisbon from Rome hub. Cargo available for larger dogs.
Cabin and Cargo
Ryanair
No pets in cabin or hold. Not suitable.
No Pets
easyJet
No pets accepted. Not suitable.
No Pets
Vueling
Cabin pets (up to 10kg with carrier). May route via Barcelona. One of the broader coverage options for connections.
Cabin and Cargo
Portugal import rules, explained
Portugal has a modest set of rules compared with stricter destinations. Get the essentials in place and confirm the finer points below.
Practical tips for this move
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
FAQ
Common questions
No. For intra-EU travel, the EU Pet Passport is the complete documentation. Portugal does not require a separate health certificate or import permit for EU-origin companion animals.
Register your pet at the time of ticket purchase through the TAP website or by calling their contact centre. TAP limits cabin pets per flight, so do not wait until the last minute.
TAP allows cabin pets up to 8kg including carrier. ITA Airways permits up to 10kg. If your dog plus carrier exceeds the limit, cargo is the alternative. Contact the airline directly to confirm the current limits.
No. EU-to-EU movement with a valid EU Pet Passport does not require quarantine in Portugal.
Airline guides
TAP Air Portugal
ITA Airways
Ryanair
easyJet
Vueling
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.