Italy and Portugal are both EU member states, so this is a low-complexity pet relocation. An EU Pet Passport with a current rabies vaccination and ISO microchip is all your pet needs to enter Portugal. No import permit, no quarantine, no embassy steps.
TAP Air Portugal is the logical first choice for this route and has a well-run cabin pet process. For larger dogs, cargo connections via Lufthansa or KLM work well.
Four to six weeks is a comfortable timeline, mostly to sort any passport updates and secure your airline pet space.
Documents Required for This Route
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport only. DGAV (Portugal's Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs) enforces EU companion animal rules. |
| Microchip record | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in EU Pet Passport. |
| Rabies vaccination record | Required and current. Recorded in EU Pet Passport. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required for intra-EU travel. |
| Import permit | Not required. |
| Export permit (Italy) | {'required': False} |
| Export health certificate | EU Pet Passport covers intra-EU movement. Issued by an Italian Ministry of Health authorised vet. |
How the Process Works
Portugal: Entry Requirements for Pets
| 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. |
Leaving Italy: Export Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | {'required': False} |
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport covers intra-EU movement. Issued by an Italian Ministry of Health authorised vet. |
What This Route Typically Costs
| # | Cost factor |
|---|---|
| 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
Portugal's requirements for EU-origin pets
Portugal’s DGAV administers companion animal rules and follows EU Regulation 2019/2035. For EU-origin pets with a valid EU Pet Passport, the requirements are: ISO-compliant microchip, current rabies vaccination, and the passport must be issued by an EU-authorised vet.
DGAV can be reached at dgav.pt for specific queries about breed restrictions or if your pet has an unusual health history.
Checking your Italian EU Pet Passport
Check three things before you book: the microchip number is recorded, the rabies vaccination has not expired, and the issuing vet is registered with the Italian Ministry of Health.
If any of these are out of order, visit an authorised Italian vet to update the passport. If the vaccination has lapsed, you need 21 days after revaccination before the passport is valid for travel again.
Airlines for Italy to Portugal
TAP Air Portugal is the most convenient carrier for this route. It flies direct from Rome Fiumicino to Lisbon and Porto, and from Milan to Lisbon. TAP has a clear cabin pet policy for small pets under 8kg including carrier.
ITA Airways connects from Rome with onward routing to Lisbon. Vueling via Barcelona is an option with a slightly longer journey time but good coverage.
Budget carriers Ryanair and easyJet have lower fares but no pet acceptance. Do not book with them if you are travelling with an animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Routes to Consider
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.