A move from Portugal to South Korea with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Plan on roughly 4-8 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. Your …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Portugal to South Korea
typically takes around 4-8 weeks.
Expect 3 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Portugal to South Korea import process
01
Before booking any appointment
Confirm ISO microchip is implanted and recorded before the rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
02
Well ahead of the certificate appointment
Confirm rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: Vet
03
Certificate valid 10 days from issue, so time this close to departure
Book an appointment with a DGAV-authorised official vet for the Korean QIAS-format certificate
Responsible: DGAV-authorised official vet
04
Before the travel date is finalised
Submit advance QIAS notification ahead of arrival at Incheon
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
05
4-6 weeks before travel
Book cargo space on both legs: LIS to hub, hub to ICN
Responsible: Owner or agent
06
On arrival
QIAS inspection on arrival at Incheon, 1-3 days for EU-origin pets
Responsible: QIAS Incheon facility
Requirements
South Korea 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, implanted before the rabies vaccination is recorded.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current and valid for the travel period.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Portugal's EU membership gives it QIAS equivalency status, so the FAVN titre test that applies to non-EU origins does not apply here.
Quarantine
QIAS inspection on arrival at Incheon, typically 1-3 days for EU-origin pets. This is shorter than the 5-10 day hold applied to pets from rabies-endemic non-EU countries, but it is not waived.
Import permit
Advance QIAS notification required before your pet arrives at Incheon.
Health certificate
Korean QIAS-format certificate signed by a DGAV-authorised official vet and endorsed by DGAV. The EU pet passport alone is not accepted at Incheon.
Leaving Portugal
Export requirements
Export permit
No standalone export permit. The DGAV endorsement on the health certificate functions as the export authorisation for a non-EU destination such as South Korea.
Health certificate
Korean QIAS-format health certificate, not the standard EU pet passport. Must be issued by a DGAV-authorised official veterinarian and endorsed by DGAV before departure. Valid 10 days from issue.
Costs
What this route typically costs
DGAV-authorised official vet certificate and endorsement: EUR 90-220
Cargo LIS to ICN via Frankfurt or Amsterdam: USD 900-2,200 depending on crate size
QIAS inspection fee at Incheon (1-3 days): approximately KRW 50,000-150,000
IATA-approved travel crate: USD 100-400
Pet transport agent fee (optional): EUR 250-550
Total typical range: USD 1,400-3,300 over a 4-8 week window
Critical points
The EU pet passport is not accepted at Incheon. Presenting it instead of the Korean QIAS-format certificate is a common mistake that causes delays.
There is no direct flight from Lisbon to Seoul. Book cargo space on both legs at the same time; a missed connection on a live animal booking is a serious problem, not a minor inconvenience.
The 1-3 day QIAS inspection is not guaranteed. Incomplete documentation or a health concern on arrival can extend it.
DGAV-authorised official vets who handle third-country export certificates are concentrated around Lisbon and Porto. If you're outside those areas, book the appointment early.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Lufthansa Cargo
LIS to Frankfurt (FRA), then Lufthansa's nonstop FRA-ICN service, roughly 11 hours 20 minutes and running most days of the week. FRA has a dedicated live-animal handling facility. Brachycephalic breeds are restricted from Lufthansa's hold year-round.
Cargo Only
KLM Cargo
LIS to Amsterdam (AMS), then KLM's nonstop AMS-ICN service, around 11 hours 50 minutes. TAP and KLM share a SkyTeam interline relationship with Korean Air, which can simplify the cargo handoff at the hub.
Cargo Only
TAP Air Portugal
TAP covers the Lisbon departure leg and feeds cargo into either the Frankfurt or Amsterdam connection. TAP does not fly its own aircraft to Seoul.
Cargo Only
Korean Air Cargo
Operates the onward FRA-ICN or AMS-ICN sector on some routings, with strong QIAS familiarity at the Incheon end.
Cargo Only
South Korea entry requirements at a glance
The path into South Korea is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Getting the details right
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.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No. South Korea requires a Korean QIAS-format health certificate, issued by a DGAV-authorised official vet and endorsed by DGAV. The EU pet passport is not an accepted substitute, and arriving with only the passport will cause delays at Incheon.
No. Portugal’s EU membership gives it QIAS equivalency status, which removes the titre test requirement that applies to non-EU origins. A current microchip and rabies vaccination are the pre-travel health requirements.
Typically 1 to 3 days for EU-origin pets, including those from Portugal, provided documentation is complete and the health check is clear. Incomplete paperwork or a health concern can extend the hold.
No. Cargo routes via a European hub, most commonly Frankfurt with Lufthansa or Amsterdam with KLM, before the nonstop sector to Incheon. Book pet space on both legs at the same time.
From a DGAV-authorised official veterinarian, concentrated around Lisbon and Porto. Your private vet cannot issue this certificate; ask DGAV or your pet transport agent for the nearest authorised official vet.
Budget USD 1,400-3,300 in total, covering the DGAV certificate and endorsement, cargo fees from Lisbon to Incheon via a European hub, the crate, and the QIAS inspection fee at Incheon.
Airline guides
Lufthansa Cargo
KLM Cargo
TAP Air Portugal
Korean Air Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.