Shipping a dog or cat from Portugal to Denmark rewards owners who start planning early. Preparation is relatively light here, so plan on about 1-4 weeks to be comfortable. There is no routine …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Portugal to Denmark
typically takes around 1-4 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Portugal to Denmark import process
01
Confirm microchip and rabies vaccination are valid.
Check EU pet passport is current
Responsible: Your veterinarian
02
Before booking -- Danish law bans 13 breeds.
Confirm your dog is not on Denmark's banned breed list
Responsible: You
03
1-2 weeks before travel.
Book flight with TAP or SAS; confirm pet space
Responsible: You
04
Present EU pet passport at check-in. No special entry process in Denmark.
Travel day
Responsible: You
Requirements
Denmark 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).
Rabies vaccination
Required. 21-day wait after primary vaccination. Booster: no wait if administered before previous vaccination expires.
Rabies titre test
Not required for EU-origin pets.
Quarantine
No quarantine.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU pet passport accepted. Danish Food and Veterinary Administration (FVST) governs compliance.
Leaving Portugal
Export requirements
Export permit
Not required
Health certificate
EU pet passport accepted for intra-EU travel to Denmark. No separate endorsement required.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Cabin pet fee (approximately EUR 40-80 with TAP or SAS)
Cargo fee for larger pets (EUR 120-400)
EU pet passport if not already issued
IATA-approved carrier or crate
Critical points
Denmark bans 13 dog breeds including the Pit Bull Terrier and Tosa Inu. Banned breeds cannot legally be brought into Denmark even as EU residents. Check the full list before you book.
Ryanair and easyJet do not accept pets. If you find a budget ticket, verify pet policy before purchase.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
TAP Air Portugal
Direct and indirect Lisbon-Copenhagen service. Small pets accepted in cabin (under 8kg including carrier). Larger pets via TAP Cargo. Good cabin pet acceptance record on European routes.
Cabin and Cargo
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
Operates Lisbon-Copenhagen service. Denmark's partner national carrier. Small pets accepted in cabin. Familiarity with Danish pet import rules.
Cabin and Cargo
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt. Small pets in cabin. Larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo. Adds a connection but good pet handling at FRA.
Cabin and Cargo
Air France
Via Paris CDG. Small pets in cabin. Indirect but a reliable option.
Cabin and Cargo
Ryanair
Does not accept pets. Not suitable for pet transport.
No Pets
easyJet
Does not accept pets. Not suitable for pet transport.
No Pets
Denmark entry requirements at a glance
The requirements for Denmark are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.
Getting the details right
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.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No. An EU pet passport is sufficient for a dog, cat, or ferret moving between Portugal and Denmark. The passport must show a valid microchip and a current rabies vaccination. No titre test, quarantine, or import permit is required.
Denmark bans 13 breeds under the Dog Act. Check the list: Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd, Caucasian Shepherd, South Russian Ovcharka, Tornjak, and Sarplaninac. If your dog is on this list, it cannot legally enter Denmark.
Yes. TAP accepts cats and small dogs in the cabin on this route. The combined weight of pet plus carrier must be under 8kg. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. Reserve your pet’s place when booking your own ticket.
Book a booster with your vet as soon as possible. If your dog has had previous rabies vaccinations and the booster is given before the previous one fully lapses, no 21-day wait applies. If you have missed the window and the booster is given after expiry, a new 21-day wait applies. Your vet will know which situation applies.
Budget EUR 40-80 for the cabin pet fee on TAP or SAS. Add the cost of an IATA-compliant soft carrier if you do not have one. For dogs travelling as cargo, fees range from EUR 120-400 depending on size. The total cost of the journey is usually under EUR 200 for a small dog.
Airline guides
TAP Air Portugal
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
Lufthansa
Air France
Ryanair
easyJet
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.