A move from Uganda to Portugal with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Expect around 20-28 weeks of lead time to line up the documents and the fixed waiting …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Uganda 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 Uganda to Portugal import process
01
Before the rabies vaccination is given
Microchip implanted (ISO 11784/11785)
Responsible: Ugandan vet
02
After the microchip is confirmed
Rabies vaccination administered
Responsible: Ugandan vet
03
At least 30 days after vaccination
Blood drawn for the titre test at an approved laboratory
Responsible: Ugandan vet and laboratory
04
Counted from the draw, not the result
90-day wait from the blood draw date
Responsible: Owner
05
Within 10 days of travel
MAAIF-endorsed EU-format certificate issued
Responsible: MAAIF-authorised vet, then MAAIF
06
After the 90-day wait completes
Cargo booked, Entebbe to Lisbon via chosen hub
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
Requirements
Portugal 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, before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Administered after microchipping, at least 21 days before the titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre test
Required. Uganda is not on the EU's approved list under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636. Titre test at an approved laboratory, minimum 0.5 IU/ml, blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, with a 90-day gap before the certificate is issued. Source: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant arrivals. DGAV inspection at the Lisbon Airport cargo terminal.
Import permit
Not required for personal companion pets.
Health certificate
EU-format health certificate, MAAIF-endorsed, valid 10 days from examination date. Inspected by DGAV officials at LIS.
Leaving Uganda
Export requirements
Export permit
No formal export permit required for personal companion pets leaving Uganda.
Health certificate
Official export health certificate from a MAAIF-authorised vet, endorsed by MAAIF, reformatted to EU standard. Issued within 10 days of travel.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Titre test and international sample shipping: EUR 100-220
MAAIF certificate and endorsement: UGX 100,000-250,000 (approx EUR 24-60)
Cargo Entebbe to Lisbon via chosen hub: EUR 900-2,000 depending on crate size
IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 80-300
Pet transport agent coordination: EUR 400-900
Total typical range: EUR 1,500-3,500 over a 5-7 month window
Critical points
DGAV inspects every incoming pet at Lisbon's cargo terminal. Incomplete paperwork on arrival can mean delay or refusal, so match every document to the health certificate exactly.
The 90-day wait runs from the blood draw date, not the date you receive the titre result.
Microchip before vaccination, without exception. Reverse the order and the sequence restarts.
No approved laboratory operates within Uganda, so international shipping of the blood sample adds lead time that needs confirming with your vet.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Ethiopian Airlines
Entebbe (EBB) to Addis Ababa (ADD), then ADD to Lisbon (LIS). Ethiopian's established East Africa network makes this the usual starting point for a Portugal-bound quote.
Cargo Only
Turkish Airlines
Direct EBB to Istanbul (IST), then IST to Lisbon. The non-stop first leg shortens the front half of the journey.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways
Direct EBB to Doha (DOH), then DOH to Lisbon. A dependable Gulf alternative, subject to summer heat embargoes.
Cargo Only
What Portugal requires
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.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
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.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Around 20 to 28 weeks. The titre test sequence alone requires at least 120 days, and MAAIF endorsement plus international lab shipping typically add further weeks.
Yes. DGAV applies the same unlisted-country rules to cats and dogs. Microchip, vaccination, titre test and the 90-day wait all apply regardless of species.
No airline currently operates a direct EBB to LIS route for pet cargo. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is generally the shortest routing in practice, with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Qatar Airways via Doha as alternatives.
The test fails and the 90-day wait does not begin. Revaccination and a fresh blood draw restart the sequence, extending the overall timeline by whatever time the retest process takes.
Airline guides
Ethiopian Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Qatar Airways
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.