Moving a dog or cat from South Korea to Portugal is very doable with the right preparation. There is a fair amount of paperwork here, so plan on around 20-28 weeks. No routine quarantine applies as …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from South Korea to Portugal
typically takes around 20-28 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The South Korea to Portugal import process
01
Before vaccination
ISO microchip confirmed and pre-dating first rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
02
30+ days before titre test
Primary rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
03
30+ days after vaccination
FAVN titre test at EU-approved lab in South Korea
Responsible: Vet and EU-approved lab
04
2-4 weeks for results
Receive passing titre result
Responsible: EU-approved lab
05
Three calendar months
90-day wait from passing result date
Responsible: Owner
06
Within 10 days of departure
IPPC vet issues export health certificate in EU format
Responsible: IPPC vet
07
4-6 weeks before travel
Book connecting cargo route via European hub
Responsible: Owner or agent
Requirements
Portugal entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip; must pre-date first rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Valid rabies vaccination; 21-day wait after primary course
Rabies titre test
Required. South Korea not on EU listed countries. FAVN titre test at 0.5 IU/ml from EU-approved lab. Blood drawn 30+ days after vaccination. 90-day wait from passing result.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets
Import permit
No import permit required
Health certificate
IPPC-endorsed certificate accepted by Portuguese DGAV
Leaving South Korea
Export requirements
Export permit
IPPC export certificate required
Health certificate
IPPC-registered vet health certificate; IPPC export endorsement
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test South Korea: USD 200-400
IPPC health certificate: KRW 50,000-150,000
Air cargo ICN to LIS via hub: USD 1,000-2,400
Professional relocation agent: USD 600-1,400
Critical points
No direct Incheon to Lisbon service exists. All pets travel via a European hub. Frankfurt is recommended for established live animal transit handling.
Portugal's Lei 9/2009 requires owners of restricted breeds (Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, others) to register and licence their dog after arrival. Not an entry restriction, but a domestic compliance obligation.
The 90-day wait is from the passing titre result, not from the vaccination date.
DGAV inspection at Lisbon Airport will check all date sequences in the documentation chain.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Korean Air (via European hub)
ICN to LIS via FRA, CDG or MAD connection. No direct ICN-LIS service. Pets as cargo throughout.
Cargo Only
TAP Air Portugal (via European hub)
LIS to ICN via European connection. TAP Cargo accepts pets; coordinate with TAP for live animal bookings.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa (ICN-FRA-LIS)
Incheon to Lisbon via Frankfurt. Established live animal transit at FRA. Good option for this routing.
Cargo Only
Portugal entry requirements at a glance
Bringing a pet into Portugal involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.
Getting the details right
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.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No. There is no direct Incheon to Lisbon service. All South Korea to Portugal pet moves require a connecting flight via a European hub. Frankfurt is recommended for its live animal facilities.
No. Lei 9/2009 is a domestic ownership regulation, not a border prohibition. Restricted breeds can enter Portugal but owners must register and licence the dog with local authorities after arrival.
No. The EU’s listed country classification is a formal regulatory process, not a quality assessment. South Korea’s excellent veterinary standards do not affect its non-listed status under EU law. The FAVN titre test and 90-day wait remain mandatory.
Frankfurt (FRA) is generally recommended for its established live animal facilities and Lufthansa’s experience handling Asian-origin pet transits. Paris CDG is a strong alternative.
The 90-day wait begins on the date of the passing FAVN titre test result (0.5 IU/ml or above). It is calculated from that result date, not from the vaccination date or the blood draw date.
Airline guides
Korean Air (via European hub)
TAP Air Portugal (via European hub)
Lufthansa (ICN-FRA-LIS)
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.