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Pet Transport from Portugal to Maldives: 2026 Guide

The journey from Portugal to Maldives for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. This is one of the more demanding routes, so allow around 5-8 weeks …

5-8 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Very High
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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Lead time needed
5-8 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Very High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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What's required
MicrochipRequired. A 15-digit ISO …
Rabies vaccinationRequired for cats, given between 30 days …
Rabies titre testNot part of the standard cat pathway …
QuarantineNone for a compliant cat. Non-compliant …
Import permitGenerally not required for a pet cat …
Health certificateOriginal certificate completed by a …
In short: Preparing to move a pet from Portugal to Maldives typically takes around 5-8 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
Before anything else.
Confirm you're moving a cat, not a dog. There is no standard pathway for a dog to enter the Maldives.

Responsible: Owner.

2
At least 30 days before travel.
Microchip if not already done, then vaccinate against rabies and the core feline diseases.

Responsible: Vet in Portugal.

3
3-4 weeks before travel.
Book the flight and an IATA-compliant crate via an agent used to the Male routing, starting from LIS Terminal 6.

Responsible: Owner and pet shipping agent.

4
Within 10 days of departure.
Get the health certificate signed.

Responsible: Vet in Portugal.

5
Travel day.
Fly and present documents at Velana International.

Responsible: Airline ground handler, Maldivian quarantine officer.

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. A 15-digit ISO 11784/11785-compliant chip, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required for cats, given between 30 days and 12 months before entry. Dogs cannot enter under any standard pathway, so this simply does not apply to them.
Rabies titre test
Not part of the standard cat pathway based on current published guidance, though sources here are thinner than for most destinations. Confirm directly with your vet or agent.
Quarantine
None for a compliant cat. Non-compliant animals face quarantine where available or return to origin, per guidance summarised by PetTravel.com's Maldives country page.
Import permit
Generally not required for a pet cat travelling with its owner, though official Maldivian sources on this point are limited.
Health certificate
Original certificate completed by a licensed vet within 10 days of entry, recording the core feline vaccinations (viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia and feline leukaemia) alongside rabies.
Export permit
No export permit required to move a pet cat out of Portugal.
Health certificate
Official veterinary health certificate confirming microchip, vaccination history and fitness to travel, signed close to departure.
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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
Handles the Lisbon-side departure, with cargo processed through Terminal 6 before connecting onward via a Gulf hub to Male.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways
Lisbon to Male via Doha, using QR Cargo's dedicated animal handling facility at Hamad International.
Cargo Only
Emirates
Lisbon to Male via Dubai, requiring an IATA-compliant crate booked through a recognised pet shipping agent.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

Portuguese export health certificate: EUR 120-220.
Rabies vaccination and additional feline vaccines, if not already current: EUR 70-140.
IATA crate, cargo booking and agent fee: EUR 950-1,750.
Air waybill, Lisbon to Male via Doha or Dubai: EUR 900-1,650.
Total typical range: EUR 2,040-3,760 over 5-8 weeks.

Critical points

Dogs cannot enter the Maldives. The Maldives Customs Service lists dog import as prohibited, with no standard exception for pet owners, so this route only works for cats.

Savannah and Bengal cats face an added restriction: they're only accepted once at least five generations removed from a wild ancestor, per PetTravel.com's country guidance.

Maldivian government sources on the exact cat pathway are thinner than for most destinations on this site. Confirm permit and titre test status directly before finalising flights.

The rules for bringing a pet into Maldives

Maldives takes biosecurity seriously, and the requirements reflect that. The paperwork is exacting, so accuracy matters as much as timing.

How to keep this move on track

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. Dog import is prohibited under Maldives Customs Service rules, with no standard exception for pet owners, including assistance dogs. Get written confirmation from the Maldives government directly if you believe a genuine exception applies.
Through Terminal 6, Lisbon’s dedicated cargo building, rather than the main passenger terminal. DGAV inspects the export paperwork there before the flight departs.
Around 5 to 8 weeks in most cases: time for the rabies and feline vaccines to be given at least 30 days before arrival, plus booking cargo space and getting the health certificate signed within 10 days of travel.
Yes. They’re restricted unless the cat is at least five generations removed from its wild ancestor. Check pedigree paperwork before assuming a Bengal or Savannah qualifies.
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Airline guides
  • TAP Air Portugal
  • Qatar Airways
  • Emirates
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