Pet Transport from the United States to Portugal

Portugal has emerged as one of the top destinations for Americans seeking a European base, driven by the D7 passive income visa, the Non-Habitual Resident tax regime, and a lower cost of living …

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Days quarantine on arrival

Airlines on this route

Step by step

The United States to Portugal import process

At least 4 weeks before travel.

Microchip and rabies vaccination: confirm correct timing

Responsible: USDA-accredited veterinarian

6-8 weeks before travel.

Book cargo space with TAP or BA

Responsible: You or your IATA-registered cargo agent

Allow 2-10 business days for USDA endorsement.

USDA-endorsed health certificate within 10 days of Portuguese arrival

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet + USDA APHIS

Document check on arrival. Compliant pets cleared same day.

DGAV border vet inspection at Lisbon or Porto

Responsible: DGAV border veterinary authority

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. Must be implanted before rabies vaccination.

Rabies vaccination

Required. 21-day wait after first vaccination. Booster with continuous cover: no additional wait.

Rabies titre test

Not required. The USA is listed as an approved third country under EU Regulation 2026/131.

Import permit

Not required for personal imports.

Health certificate

USDA-endorsed official health certificate within 10 days of Portuguese arrival.

Leaving United States

Export requirements

Export permit

No formal export permit required. USDA APHIS endorsement serves as export documentation.

Health certificate

USDA-accredited veterinarian completes official health certificate, endorsed by USDA APHIS (USD 38 per certificate). Must be issued within 10 days of Portuguese arrival. VEHCS electronic system or USDA office drop-off available.

Costs

What this route typically costs

TAP or BA transatlantic cargo fee

IATA-compliant crate

USDA-accredited vet health exam and certificate

USDA APHIS endorsement fee (USD 38)

IATA-registered cargo agent fee

Critical points

TAP Air Portugal is the most direct option from the US East Coast to Lisbon. TAP flies from JFK, Newark, Boston, and Miami. If you are on the West Coast, a connection via the East Coast or via London (BA) is needed.

Portugal is growing rapidly as a D7 visa and digital nomad visa destination for Americans. This corridor is becoming busier; book cargo space well in advance, particularly in summer and autumn.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
TAP Air Portugal	Cargo from JFK, EWR, BOS, MIA, and YYZ to LIS. TAP is the primary transatlantic carrier on this corridor and handles live animals in cargo on these routes. Book through an IATA-registered agent.	Cargo Only
British Airways	Cargo from US gateways via LHR to LIS. Two-leg route via London Heathrow. BA World Cargo has live animal handling at Heathrow.	Cargo Only
United	United allows small pets in cabin on some transatlantic routes to Lisbon. No general cargo service. Not suitable for large dogs.	Cabin Only
Delta	Delta allows small pets in cabin on some transatlantic routes. Cargo is limited to active US military. Not suitable for large dogs.	Cabin Only

At a glance: USA to Portugal vs other USA-to-EU routes

Requirement	USA to Portugal	USA to Spain	USA to France	USA to Italy
USDA health cert	Yes (within 10 days)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Titre test	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required
Quarantine	None	None	None	None
Import permit	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required
PPP/breed rules	No national list	Yes (national PPP)	Regional variation	No national list
Primary carrier option	TAP Air Portugal	Iberia	Air France	ITA Airways
Complexity	Moderate (cargo)	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate

Portugal, Italy, and most of EU Europe share the same absence of breed-specific national legislation that Spain has. TAP Air Portugal provides direct connections from the US East Coast that Iberia and ITA Airways cannot always match.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. Portugal does not impose routine quarantine on pets from the USA. The DGAV border vet at Lisbon or Porto airport checks the USDA-endorsed health certificate, scans the microchip, and verifies the vaccination record. Compliant pets are cleared and released on arrival day.

No. The USA is listed as an approved third country under EU Regulation 2026/131. No titre test is required. The requirements are: ISO microchip (implanted before vaccination), current rabies vaccination (21-day wait after first dose), and a USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival in Portugal.

TAP Air Portugal is the best starting point, with direct cargo services from JFK, Newark, Boston, and Miami to Lisbon. If you are based on the US West Coast, you will need to connect via an East Coast city or use British Airways via London. Confirm current live animal acceptance before booking, as cargo pet policies can change.

TAP Air Portugal may allow small cats (under the cabin weight limit including carrier) on some transatlantic routes. Check TAP’s current cabin pet policy for transatlantic services at the time of booking. If the cat is too large or the airline does not accept cabin pets on the transatlantic leg, cargo is the alternative. Portugal imposes no quarantine on cats from the USA.

You need: a USDA-endorsed official health certificate (from a USDA-accredited vet, issued within 10 days of Portuguese arrival); a readable ISO microchip (implanted before rabies vaccination); a current rabies vaccination with 21-day wait after first dose; and the USDA endorsement (USD 38 fee, 2-10 business days processing). No titre test, no import permit, no quarantine.

Airline guides

Breed guides

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