Bringing your dog or cat from Japan to Portugal takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Around 20-28 weeks is sensible here, with a few steps that must happen in a strict …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Japan to Portugal
typically takes around 20-28 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 Japan to Portugal import process
01
Before vaccination
ISO microchip confirmed and pre-dating all vaccinations
Responsible: Vet
02
At least 30 days before titre test
Primary rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
03
30+ days after vaccination
FAVN titre test at EU-approved lab in Japan
Responsible: Vet and approved lab
04
2-4 weeks for lab results
Receive passing titre result
Responsible: Approved lab
05
Three calendar months
90-day wait from passing result date
Responsible: Owner
06
Within 10 days of departure
MAFF vet issues export health certificate
Responsible: MAFF vet
07
4-6 weeks before travel
Book cargo space on connecting carrier via European hub
Responsible: Owner or agent
Requirements
Portugal entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip; must pre-date first rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Valid rabies vaccination; 21-day wait after primary course
Rabies titre test
Required. Japan not on EU listed countries. FAVN titre test at 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn 30+ days after vaccination. 90-day wait from passing result.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets
Import permit
No import permit required
Health certificate
MAFF-endorsed cert accepted by Portuguese DGAV at Lisbon Airport border post
Leaving Japan
Export requirements
Export permit
No export permit required
Health certificate
MAFF-registered vet health certificate
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test Japan: JPY 20,000-50,000
MAFF health certificate: JPY 10,000-25,000
Air cargo NRT to LIS via European hub: USD 1,000-2,500
Professional relocation agent: USD 700-1,500 (recommended for this routing)
Critical points
No direct NRT to LIS service exists. All pets travel via a European hub. Choose a hub with good live animal transit facilities (FRA is recommended).
Transit through the UK (LHR) may trigger UK import documentation requirements. Use a continental European hub to avoid this complication.
Portugal's Lei 9/2009 requires restricted breeds to be licensed post-arrival. This is not an entry restriction but a domestic ownership requirement.
DGAV border inspection at Lisbon Airport will check all dates in the titre test and vaccination sequence.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
JAL / Iberia / TAP (via European hubs)
No direct NRT to LIS service. Typical routing: NRT to MAD or LHR or FRA, then connection to LIS. Pets travel as cargo throughout.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa (NRT-FRA-LIS)
NRT to LIS via Frankfurt. Established live animal transit at FRA. Cargo only.
Cargo Only
British Airways (NRT-LHR-LIS)
NRT to LIS via London Heathrow. Note: UK is now outside the EU; confirm that transit through LHR does not trigger additional UK documentation requirements.
Cargo Only
Meeting Portugal's entry requirements
The requirements for Portugal are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.
Advice worth following
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.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No airline currently operates a direct Tokyo to Lisbon passenger or cargo service. All Japan to Portugal pet moves require a connection, typically via Frankfurt, Madrid or another European hub. Frankfurt is recommended for its live animal transit facilities.
Potentially. The UK is now outside the EU, and transit through LHR may trigger UK APHA import documentation depending on how the transit is handled. To avoid this complication, route via a continental European hub such as Frankfurt or Madrid.
No. Portugal applies EU non-listed country rules to Japan, which includes the FAVN titre test and 90-day wait. Japan’s disease-free record does not create any regulatory exemption under current EU law.
Lei 9/2009 restricts certain breeds in Portugal (including Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and others). Japanese breeds such as Shiba Inu, Akita, and Japanese Chin are not on the restricted list. If your dog is a restricted breed, you will need to register and licence it with Portuguese authorities after arrival.
Expect approximately JPY 20,000-50,000 for the titre test, JPY 10,000-25,000 for the health certificate, and USD 1,000-2,500 for air cargo. Agent fees add USD 700-1,500. Total is roughly USD 2,500-5,000.
Airline guides
JAL / Iberia / TAP (via European hubs)
Lufthansa (NRT-FRA-LIS)
British Airways (NRT-LHR-LIS)
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.