Bringing your dog or cat to Portugal from the USA in 2026
Last updated: September 6, 2026: verified against official sources (European Commission, USDA APHIS, UK GOV.UK, US CDC).
Portugal applies the EU-wide pet travel rules. Whether you are moving to Lisbon or the Algarve, the paperwork is identical to the rest of the EU: microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and a USDA-endorsed EU health certificate valid for 10 days.
The 4 steps
- Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) first: Your pet must be microchipped BEFORE the rabies shot. A vaccination given before the chip does not count.
- Rabies vaccination ≥ 21 days before arrival: The vaccine must be given after the microchip and at least 21 days before entering the EU. It must stay valid on travel day.
- USDA-endorsed EU health certificate ≤ 10 days: A USDA-accredited vet issues the EU health certificate, then USDA APHIS endorses it. Valid 10 days from issue to arrival in the EU.
- Arrive via an approved EU point of entry: All main EU airports are approved for pets from the USA (Paris CDG, Madrid, Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Lisbon…).
Portugal has 14 entry points, and one rule nobody mentions
Portugal does not accept pets at any airport. The DGAV designates specific Travellers' Points of Entry (PEV), and your pet has to land at one of them so a vet can scan the microchip and check the dates against the papers. The airports are Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Beja, Cascais, Funchal in Madeira, and Ponta Delgada, Terceira and Santa Maria in the Azores. There are designated ports too, including Lisbon, Porto, Cascais marina and Funchal.
The rule people miss: the DGAV requires an arrival notice for dogs and cats. You contact them before you fly, not at the airport. Sending that notice is free and takes one email, and arriving without it is how a compliant file still stalls on the day. The contact is [email protected], or +351 213 239 500.
If you are arriving by boat: pets cannot enter through a marina or a recreational port that is not a designated PEV. The animal cannot leave the vessel. Plan the arrival at Lisbon, Porto, Cascais or Funchal, which are designated.
Age limits are stricter than the EU minimum. The DGAV does not allow dogs or cats under 12 weeks into Portugal from outside the EU, and does not allow a pet aged 12 to 16 weeks if its rabies vaccination is less than 21 days old. If you are moving a young puppy, this decides the date, not the airline.
Frequently asked questions
Are there additional checks in Portugal?
Yes. Portugal checks pets from outside the EU at a designated Travellers' Point of Entry (PEV), where a vet scans the microchip and verifies the dates. The DGAV also asks for an arrival notice before you fly, which most guides do not mention.
Can my dog enter through Lisbon airport?
Yes. Lisbon (LIS) is a designated entry point for pets from the USA, along with Porto, Faro, Beja, Cascais, Funchal and the Azores airports. Most other airports are not.
Do I need to contact anyone in Portugal before arrival?
Yes. The DGAV asks for an arrival notice for dogs and cats. It is free and done by email to [email protected]. Everything else is completed in the USA before you fly.
Can I arrive by boat or marina?
Only at a designated PEV. Pets cannot enter through a marina or recreational port that is not a designated point of entry, and the animal may not leave the vessel.
Is there a minimum age for a puppy entering Portugal?
Yes, and it is stricter than the EU baseline. The DGAV does not allow pets under 12 weeks from outside the EU, nor pets aged 12 to 16 weeks whose rabies vaccination is less than 21 days old.
Official sources
- DGAV (Portugal), entry points and pet entry rules: dgav.pt, cães e gatos
- DGAV (Portugal), designated Travellers' Points of Entry (PEV): dgav.pt, points of entry list (PDF)
- European Commission, pet movement: food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets_en
- USDA APHIS pet travel: aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
- US CDC dog import: cdc.gov/importation/dogs.html
- UK GOV.UK: gov.uk/take-pet-abroad