Getting a pet from Portugal to Italy is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. Allow around 3-5 weeks. The requirements are modest compared with stricter …
MicrochipRequired (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in …
Rabies vaccinationRequired and current. Recorded in EU Pet …
Rabies titre testNot required for intra-EU travel.
QuarantineNone for EU to EU travel with valid …
Import permitNot required.
Health certificateEU Pet Passport. Italy applies EU …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Portugal to Italy
typically takes around 3-5 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 import process, in full
1
Before booking. Allow 21 days for revaccination if needed.
Check EU Pet Passport (microchip and vaccination records current)
Responsible: Your DGAV-authorised veterinarian
2
At ticket purchase. Cabin spaces limited.
Book airline and register cabin or cargo pet
Responsible: You
3
Before travel.
Prepare IATA-compliant carrier (soft for cabin, hard for cargo)
Responsible: You
Checklist
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in EU Pet Passport.
Rabies vaccination
Required and current. Recorded in EU Pet Passport. Valid from 21 days after first dose.
Rabies titre test
Not required for intra-EU travel.
Quarantine
None for EU to EU travel with valid documents.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU Pet Passport. Italy applies EU Regulation 2019/2035 for companion animals from EU member states. Administered by the Italian Ministry of Health.
Export permit
Not required
Health certificate
EU Pet Passport only. Issued by a DGAV-authorised veterinarian in Portugal.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Portugal to Italy move gets missed.
Pet Transport Global
Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
TAP Air Portugal
Direct Lisbon to Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa. Cabin pets up to 8kg including carrier. Cargo option for larger dogs. Strong option for this route.
Cabin and Cargo
ITA Airways
Direct Italy-Portugal connections from Rome and Milan. Cabin pets up to 10kg including carrier. Cargo for larger pets.
Cabin and Cargo
Vueling
Connects Lisbon to multiple Italian cities via Barcelona. Cabin pets accepted (up to 8kg with carrier). Budget-friendly option with wide Italian coverage.
Cabin and Cargo
Ryanair
Does not accept pets. Not suitable.
No Pets
Costs
What this route typically costs
Cabin pet fee (30-60 EUR typically)
IATA-compliant soft-sided or hard-sided carrier
Vet fee if EU Pet Passport needs updating
Critical points
Ryanair covers many Lisbon-Italy routes but accepts no pets.
Italy has breed restrictions for certain dogs in public spaces -- check Italian law for your destination.
Source: EU Regulation 2019/2035; DGAV Portugal (dgav.pt); Italian Ministry of Health.
How Italy handles incoming pets
Italy keeps its import requirements relatively light, which makes preparing easier. Even so, the basics still need to be right and in the correct order.
What experienced owners do
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.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. A valid EU Pet Passport issued by a DGAV-authorised vet in Portugal is the only document required. No extra health certificate, import permit, or quarantine applies for EU-to-EU travel.
Yes. TAP Air Portugal and ITA Airways both fly direct from Lisbon to Rome and accept cabin pets. Book the cabin pet space at the time of purchasing your ticket.
No. UK-issued EU Pet Passports are no longer valid for EU travel since Brexit. Your pet needs an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for UK-origin travel, not a Portugal-EU route issue. For Portuguese-issued passports there is no problem.
Vueling allows cabin pets up to 8kg including the carrier. Check current limits at booking as policies are subject to change.
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