Bringing your dog or cat from Portugal to Hong Kong takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Plan on roughly 20-26 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Portugal to Hong Kong
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
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 Hong Kong import process
01
First step: must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
02
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
03
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
04
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from Hong Kong
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
05
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
06
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
07
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
Requirements
Hong Kong 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). Must be implanted before rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. Vaccination window is strict: minimum 30 days before arrival, maximum 12 months.
Rabies titre test
Required for: Pets from Group 2 and Group 3 countries. Not required for: Pets from Group 1 countries (rabies-free: UK, Australia, Japan, NZ, etc.). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml
Quarantine
Check current requirements with destination authority
Import permit
Required. Must be obtained BEFORE travel. Permit specifies conditions and quarantine requirements.
Health certificate
Required. Official veterinary health certificate. Issued by: Government veterinarian in country of export. Certificate must confirm: vaccination status, microchip number, health status, absence of infectious disease
Leaving Portugal
Export requirements
Export permit
No formal export permit required. Destination import documentation serves as travel authority.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
Import permit application fee (Hong Kong)
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Hong Kong entry requirements at a glance
Getting a pet into Hong Kong is a middle of the road process. The rules are well defined, so most of the work is simply staying on schedule.
Getting the details right
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
Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in Hong Kong for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Hong Kong. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from the Hong Kong veterinary authority. Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Portugal. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Hong Kong’s authority for the exact format required.
Airline guides
Air France
Cathay Pacific
Emirates
Lufthansa
Singapore Airlines
British Airways
KLM
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.