The journey from Portugal to Latvia for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. Give yourself roughly 2-4 weeks, though this route carries fewer hurdles …
Rabies titre testNot required. Portugal and Latvia are …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine for fully …
Import permitNot required for companion pets moving …
Health certificateEU pet passport, issued by a …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Portugal to Latvia
typically takes around 2-4 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Before booking
Confirm microchip pre-dates the rabies vaccination in the EU pet passport
Responsible: DGAV-authorised vet
2
21-day wait if primary; immediate if a current booster
Check rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: DGAV-authorised vet
3
Any time before travel
Obtain or update the EU pet passport
Responsible: DGAV-authorised vet
4
4-6 weeks before travel
Book Lisbon to Riga, direct with airBaltic or via TAP's connection
Responsible: Owner
5
Travel day. PVD spot checks at Riga Airport are occasional
Travel to Riga with the EU pet passport
Responsible: Owner
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. Must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current. Primary vaccination: at least 21 days must have passed before entry. Booster within valid period: no wait.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Portugal and Latvia are both EU member states with a low rabies risk profile.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for fully compliant arrivals.
Import permit
Not required for companion pets moving between EU member states.
Health certificate
EU pet passport, issued by a DGAV-authorised vet and kept current.
Export permit
No export permit required for intra-EU movement.
Health certificate
EU pet passport issued or updated by a DGAV-authorised vet. Portugal and Latvia are both EU member states, so no additional export certificate is needed.
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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.
airBaltic
Operates Lisbon (LIS) to Riga (RIX), its own home hub, on select schedules. A genuine advantage for a Latvia-bound pet, since it stays on the destination carrier's own network throughout.
Cabin and Cargo
TAP Air Portugal via a European hub
TAP connects Lisbon onward through a major European hub to Riga on days when airBaltic's direct schedule doesn't fit. Confirm live animal acceptance on the connecting leg before booking.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
EU pet passport issue or update: EUR 40-100
Rabies vaccination update if needed: EUR 30-80
Cabin pet fees Lisbon to Riga: EUR 55-120
Cargo fee for larger dogs: EUR 400-950 depending on carrier and routing
IATA travel crate, if needed: EUR 60-250
Total typical range: EUR 200-1,050 depending on pet size and airline choice
Critical points
airBaltic's Lisbon-Riga service does not run on every day of the week. Check current schedules before committing to a travel date.
The microchip must be recorded in the EU pet passport before the rabies vaccination entry. This sequence is the most common error on EU pet passports.
PVD's spot checks at Riga Airport are occasional but do happen. Carry the EU pet passport throughout.
Latvia import rules, explained
Latvia keeps its import requirements relatively light, which makes preparing easier. Even so, the basics still need to be right and in the correct order.
Practical tips for this move
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. Both countries are EU member states, and intra-EU pet travel does not require a rabies titre test. A current rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport are sufficient.
airBaltic operates Lisbon to Riga on select schedules, its own home hub. Check current availability for your travel dates, and use TAP Air Portugal’s connecting service as a fallback.
It remains valid, since the EU pet passport does not expire. What matters is that the rabies vaccination recorded inside it is current.
No. PVD spot checks are occasional for intra-EU arrivals with compliant documentation. Carry the EU pet passport in case one occurs.
Ready when you are
Move your pet
to Latvia.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. Preparation timeline, full cost breakdown, and breed specific advice. No commitment.