Are you planning to move to Portugal with your furry friend? You must learn how to take them on the plane. The good news is that Portuguese airlines allow dogs, cats, and ferrets to travel with their owners. Want to know how?
Pet Travel Documents & Requirements for Portugal
Travelling with a pet to Portugal requires certain documents and adhering to specific requirements. Ensure all necessary pet travel documents, including health certificates and vaccination records, are obtained and carried.
Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip and vaccinated against rabies with a one-, two-, or three-year vaccine. The rabies vaccine must be administered simultaneously or after the microchipping. Your pet must also wait at least 21 days after receiving the rabies vaccine before travelling to Portugal. No other vaccinations are mandatory.
Before the flight, you’ll need to fill out a health certificate, which must be signed by a veterinarian. After arrival, you’ll need to fill out another health certificate within 10 days of arrival.
Lastly, remember that pets under 15 weeks old are not allowed to travel.
Where will my pet travel: Cabin or Hold?
It can be stressful if you’re travelling with your pet and need to know whether they’ll be allowed in the cabin with you or on hold. However, the airline you’re travelling with will dictate what is allowed. Typically, dogs and cats in soft carriers weighing up to 8 kilograms can be brought into the cabin with you. Assistance dogs are permitted in the cabin, no matter their weight. For pets weighing up to 45 kilograms, they will need to travel in the hold. Your carrier or crate must be appropriate and safe for transporting animals.
Take The Stress Out
Travelling with a pet can be a stressful experience. There are plenty of things to consider, from the required documentation to the comfort of your furry companion. Here are some top tips to make travelling with your pet to Portugal as smooth as possible:
First, talk to your vet to ensure your pet is in good health to travel. If your pet is a dog or a cat that weighs over 32 kilograms, you should purchase a suitable crate. Add their favourite toys and blankets to make them feel comfortable, but do what is necessary and take up your pet’s little room in the crate.
Ensure you have all the necessary paperwork and that your pet’s vaccinations are current. Vets suggest not feeding your pet on the day of travel to avoid stress, diarrhoea, and motion sickness.
It’s essential to keep your pet hydrated during travel, so depending on the airline, you should include a bowl with water inside the crate. Check whether there are any restrictions on your pet’s breed.
Book your pet’s ticket in advance and check the airline’s website for information on travelling with pets. Let your pet get used to the crate at home by feeding them inside it for several weeks before the flight. It’s important not to give your pet a tranquillizer as this can be dangerous and interfere with their ability to control body heat at high altitudes.
Is Portugal Pet-Friendly?
In recent years, Portugal has become known as a pet-friendly country, with over half of Portuguese households owning a pet. Plenty of public parks and beaches are perfect for taking dogs on walks and allowing them to explore nature. Some shops and restaurants are even labelled as pet friendly, which means that you can bring your pet in on a leash.
Although some restaurants in Portugal do not allow pets inside, you can still enjoy a meal with your furry friend on a terrace due to the warm weather. Additionally, there are some pet-friendly hotels throughout the country. During the summer, there may be specific beaches where pets are not allowed, but other beaches always welcome pets. It’s worth noting that most public transportation does not permit pets, except trains and buses. For those modes of transport, pets must wear a muzzle.
Fortunately, animals are protected under Portuguese law, and in 2014, fines and imprisonment became the punishment for mistreating or abandoning pets.
FAQ about Traveling with Pets to Portugal
What documents do I need if I take my dog to Portugal?
To fly with a dog (or a cat or ferret), you will need the following documents:
– Pet passport issued by a vet with up-to-date rabies vaccine
– Proof of ISO-compliant microchip
– Health certificate filled out before flying
Can I take my dog on holiday to Portugal?
If you plan to travel with your pet, you must purchase an additional airline ticket for your furry friend. The airline you are flying with will determine whether your pet will travel in the cabin or hold. Generally, small dogs and cats weighing up to 8 kilograms can be carried in the cabin in a soft container. However, if your pet is an assistance dog, it can travel with you in the cabin at any weight. If your pet weighs 8 to 45 kilograms, it will be transported in the hold.
In addition to purchasing the pet airline ticket, which documents do I have to gather?
An EU pet passport issued by a veterinarian with an up-to-date rabies vaccine, proof of an ISO-compliant microchip, and an animal health certificate filled out before flying.
If you travel from a non-EU country, including the UK, you cannot obtain an EU pet passport. Instead, you will need an animal health certificate, which is valid for four months.
How much does it cost to take a dog to Portugal?
The cost of taking a pet to Portugal will depend on the airline. For TAP, the Portuguese airline, a pet ticket can cost anywhere between €70 and €160, depending on where you’re flying from.
It is essential to remember that there are additional costs aside from purchasing a ticket. If you are an EU resident, these costs include the pet crate, microchip, vaccines, and the EU pet passport. An EU pet passport may cost around €150 but will last throughout your pet’s lifetime. You can expect to pay between €300 to €500 for these additional expenses, including the EU pet passport. However, the actual prices may vary depending on your location and the veterinarian you choose.
Do I need to microchip my pet to travel to Portugal?
All pets travelling to Portugal (only dogs, cats, and ferrets allowed) must have a microchip implanted that is linked to an EU pet passport or a health certificate completed by a veterinarian for non-EU citizens. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is given.
