PT
Portugal
✈️
DO
Dominican Republic
Pet Transport from Portugal to Dominican Republic: 2026 Field Guide
4-6 weeks
Typical preparation
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Portugal to Dominican Republic
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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Overview
If you are relocating a pet from Portugal to Dominican Republic, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Allow around 4-6 weeks and follow the steps in order to stay on track. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine entirely.
A rabies titre test is not needed for this route. Use the timeline below to plan backwards from your travel date.
Step by step
The Portugal to Dominican Republic process
1
First step. Must be completed before any rabies vaccination to ensure the vaccination is recognised.
Confirm or implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Portugal
2
At least 5 weeks before travel. Administer a booster if the vaccination has lapsed and wait the full 30 days.
Confirm rabies vaccination is current and given at least 30 days before planned Dominican Republic entry.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Portugal
3
Can coincide with the rabies check. DGAG inspectors check all vaccination records on arrival at SDQ.
Ensure DHPP vaccination (dogs) is current. Cats: confirm rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia are up to date.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Portugal
4
Within 10 days of cargo check-in. Document product name, date, and dose.
Internal and external antiparasitic treatment within 10 days of departure.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Portugal
5
4-6 weeks before travel. Confirm live animal acceptance on all segments.
Book cargo from LIS to SDQ via TAP or via Madrid on Iberia.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
6
Within 15 days of departure (the Dominican Republic allows 15 days, longer than the EU standard of 10). Issue the certificate within 10-12 days of travel to be safe.
Medico veterinario oficial examination and DGAV-endorsed AHC.
Responsible: Medico veterinario oficial, DGAV endorsement
7
48 hours before departure.
Notify DGAG of arrival at SDQ 48 hours before your flight.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
8
Travel day.
Travel day: present all original documents at LIS cargo check-in. Allow 3-4 hours before scheduled departure.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Checklist
Dominican Republic: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required. ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit chip. Must be in place and readable before travel. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Administered between 30 days and 12 months before entry. An expired vaccination or one given fewer than 30 days before arrival will not be accepted. Source: DGAG (Direccion General de Ganaderia), agricultura.gob.do. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required. The Dominican Republic does not require a rabies antibody titre test for personal companion pets from Portugal. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine for pets arriving with compliant documentation. DGAG veterinary inspection at Las Americas International Airport (SDQ), Santo Domingo, on arrival. |
| Import permit | Not required for personal companion pets (up to five animals with their owner). |
| Health certificate | Required. Issued within 15 days of travel. Must include owner's full name and address, plus the animal's name, breed, sex, colour, age, and microchip number. Dogs: DHPP vaccination (distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus) must be current. Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia vaccinations must be current. Source: DGAG, agricultura.gob.do. |
Leaving Portugal
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No export permit required for companion cats and dogs leaving Portugal. |
| Veterinary inspection | Clinical examination by a medico veterinario oficial within 10 days of departure. Contact your local DGAV regional directorate (Direccao Regional de Agricultura e Pescas) to find and book the official vet appointment. |
| Health certificate | Official AHC for non-EU destinations, issued by a medico veterinario oficial (official vet) and endorsed by the DGAV (Direccao-Geral de Alimentacao e Veterinaria). Valid for 10 days from issue. Source: dgav.pt. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Cargo fees LIS to SDQ via TAP or via Madrid: EUR 600-1,600 depending on pet weight, crate size, and routing |
| 2 | IATA-compliant travel crate (if not already owned): EUR 60-220 |
| 3 | Medico veterinario oficial examination and DGAV-endorsed AHC: approximately EUR 80-180 |
| 4 | DHPP/rabies boosters and cat vaccines if due: EUR 50-120 |
| 5 | Antiparasitic treatment certificate: EUR 30-60 |
| 6 | Pet transport agent for cargo coordination (optional): EUR 300-700 |
| 7 | Total typical range: EUR 800-2,400 |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The 30-day minimum wait after rabies vaccination is strictly checked at SDQ. Verify your pet's vaccination date against the planned entry date before booking.
⚠ The AHC validity window for the Dominican Republic is 15 days from issue, not the standard EU 10 days. This gives more scheduling flexibility but does not remove the 48-hour notification requirement.
⚠ TAP Air Portugal flies from Lisbon to Santo Domingo and is the most direct cargo option from Portugal. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance on your specific booking, as cargo and passenger policies differ.
⚠ Notify the DGAG veterinary station at SDQ 48 hours before your flight. Arrivals without prior notification may face delays at the airport inspection.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal operates from Lisbon (LIS) to Santo Domingo (SDQ) and other Caribbean destinations. TAP is the most direct carrier option from Portugal to the Dominican Republic. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance on the LIS-SDQ route and current schedules with TAP Cargo.
Iberia
Cargo routing via Madrid (MAD) to SDQ. Connect from LIS to MAD, then Iberia cargo to SDQ. Iberia has established Dominican Republic routes and is a reliable alternative when TAP cargo space to SDQ is limited. Confirm live animal acceptance.
Air Europa
Air Europa operates from Madrid to Santo Domingo. From Lisbon, connect to MAD then Air Europa to SDQ. Useful when capacity on the MAD-SDQ segment is needed from another carrier. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance before booking.
How Dominican Republic handles incoming pets
Dominican Republic has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.
What experienced owners do
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.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. No titre test is required for companion pets from Portugal entering the Dominican Republic. A current rabies vaccination (given 30-120 days before entry) and a DGAV-endorsed AHC are the main requirements.
No. There is no quarantine for compliant arrivals. DGAG officers inspect pets at SDQ on arrival. If your documentation is correct, your pet is cleared on the same day.
A medico veterinario oficial (official vet) under the DGAV (Direccao-Geral de Alimentacao e Veterinaria). Contact your local DGAV regional directorate to find the nearest official vet and book the appointment.
TAP Air Portugal operates from Lisbon (LIS) to Santo Domingo (SDQ) and is the most direct option from Portugal. Iberia via Madrid (MAD to SDQ) is a reliable alternative. Air Europa via Madrid is also an option. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance before booking.
Four to six weeks for most pets with current vaccinations. The main constraint is the 30-day minimum wait after rabies vaccination. Schedule the DGAV official vet appointment and the antiparasitic treatment within the validity window for your travel date.
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