Pet Transport from Portugal to Australia
Bringing your dog or cat from Portugal to Australia takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. There is a fair amount of paperwork here, so plan on around 16-24 weeks. Your pet will spend 10 days in quarantine after landing. This route …
The Portugal to Australia import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Veterinarian
Responsible: Veterinarian
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Owner
Responsible: DGAV-authorised official veterinarian
Responsible: Airline cargo
Responsible: DAFF / MARS
What your pet needs to enter Australia
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
All pets must arrive at Melbourne International Airport (MEL). No other Australian airport accepts international pet imports.
Portugal is DAFF Group 2 (no titre test). Confirm this classification is current at agriculture.gov.au before booking.
Quarantine fee must be paid before release. Budget AUD 1,877+ per pet.
Health certificate valid for 10 days from issue. A rebooked flight requires a new certificate.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
Australia entry requirements at a glance
Getting the details right
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.