In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Thailand to Portugal
typically takes around 20-24 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.
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Overview
If you are relocating a pet from Thailand to Portugal, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Allow around 20-24 weeks and follow the steps in order to stay on track. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine entirely.
A rabies titre test is required, and it carries a fixed waiting period, so start it early. Use the timeline below to plan backwards from your travel date.
Step by step
The Thailand to Portugal process
1
Before rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip
Responsible: Vet
2
After microchip. Allow 21 days before titre test.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
3
Blood draw at least 21 days after vaccination. EU-approved laboratory.
FAVN titre test
Responsible: EU-approved laboratory
4
From confirmed blood draw date.
90-day waiting period
Responsible: Owner to track
5
During 90-day wait.
DLD export permit application by email
Responsible: Owner
6
Within 10 days before arrival in Portugal.
EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
Responsible: Authorised vet
7
On travel day.
DLD inspection at BKK on departure
Responsible: DLD, airline cargo
Checklist
Portugal: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit non-encrypted. Before rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. After microchip. At least 21 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre test
Required. FAVN rabies antibody titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Thailand is an unlisted third country under EU Regulation 2016/429. 90-day waiting period from blood draw date.
Quarantine
None for compliant pets entering Portugal.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued within 10 days before arrival in Portugal.
DLD (Department of Livestock Development) export permit applied for by email to the local DLD district office. Inspection at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) on departure day.
Health certificate
Issued by an accredited vet. Documents microchip, rabies vaccination, and health status.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
FAVN titre test: THB 3,000 to THB 8,000 (approximately £65 to £175)
2
DLD export permit: low cost, allow processing time
3
Rabies vaccination: THB 800 to THB 2,500
4
IATA crate: THB 3,000 to THB 10,000
5
Cargo fees (BKK to LIS): THB 20,000 to THB 60,000
6
Agent fee: THB 8,000 to THB 20,000
7
EU AHC: THB 2,000 to THB 5,000
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Thailand is unlisted for EU pet travel. FAVN titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory.
⚠ DLD uses an email-based application. Allow at least 2 weeks for permit processing.
⚠ Portugal's DGAV oversees EU border inspections at Lisbon Airport. Your cargo agent handles TRACES pre-notification.
⚠ Portugal has no breed ban beyond standard EU regulations. The EU AHC is the key document.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
TAP Air Portugal Cargo
Bangkok (BKK) to Lisbon (LIS) via a connecting hub. TAP Cargo accepts pets. The Lisbon hub is TAP's home base.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways Cargo
BKK via Doha (DOH) to LIS. Qatar Airways Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
Emirates Cargo
BKK via Dubai (DXB) to LIS. Emirates Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
BKK via Frankfurt (FRA) to LIS. Lufthansa Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
How Portugal handles incoming pets
Portugal has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.
What experienced owners do
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
No. Portugal does not impose quarantine for pets from Thailand provided the EU requirements are met: ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination, FAVN titre test at 0.5 IU/ml or above, completed 90-day wait, and EU AHC issued within 10 days before arrival. The DGAV inspection at Lisbon is a documentation check, not a quarantine hold.
TAP Air Portugal, Qatar Airways, and Emirates all serve this corridor via connecting hubs. TAP via Doha or a European connection, Qatar via Doha, and Emirates via Dubai are all used. For most pets, Qatar via Doha works well with a manageable transit time. For large dogs, KLM via Amsterdam is also worth checking. Compare space availability and total transit time before booking.
No additional national requirements beyond the standard EU AHC. Portugal follows EU Regulation 2016/429 for all third country pet imports. The AHC, combined with the DLD export health certificate from Thailand, constitutes the full document set for Portugal entry.
Thailand is classified as an unlisted country for EU pet travel. FAVN rabies antibody titre tests must be performed at EU-approved laboratories. The test requires a blood draw in Thailand (by your vet), which is couriered to an approved laboratory. Most Thai pet owners use laboratories in the USA or Europe. The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above, and the 90-day wait to Portugal starts from the blood draw date of that result.
Airline guides
TAP Air Portugal Cargo
Qatar Airways Cargo
Emirates Cargo
Lufthansa Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.