General

The dog or cat must be identified by means of a microchip and must have a European passport.

Vaccinations

The dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination must be given at least 21 days before departure, and must be repeated within the validity period. A vaccination after this period is considered a first vaccination and is only valid again after 21 days.

A puppy/kitten must be at least 12 weeks old when receiving its first rabies vaccination, which means they can only cross the border from the age of 15 weeks.

Parasites

In Portugal, you need to protect your pet against two dangerous parasites:

Sandflies can transmit Leishmaniasis, a serious disease that affects joints, kidneys and eyes and is difficult to treat.

Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be fatal if not detected in time.

Fortunately, both problems can be prevented with proper preventive treatment. Ask your veterinarian for advice on protective measures against these parasites.

Transportation

The dog or cat must not interfere with the driver and must be protected against sudden movements or in case of an accident. This can be achieved through a securely fastened car crate, a special harness attached to the seat belt, or a closed luggage compartment with a safety net or barrier.

According to Portuguese law, it is not permitted to travel with loose animals in the car. In the traffic law, animals are considered "cargo" and must be transported safely. If authorities find that your dog or cat is not being transported correctly, you may receive a fine.

Leash requirement

In Portugal, dogs must wear a collar or harness with the owner's name and contact details on public roads or in public places. Dogs must always be under the supervision of their owner.

Dogs must be leashed in public spaces. If a dog is not leashed, it must wear a functional muzzle. For regular dogs, it's therefore a choice: either leashed, or with a muzzle. Exceptions apply to dogs during competitions, training, and hunting dogs during hunting activities.

Municipalities can designate specific off-leash areas where dogs may run without a leash or muzzle under conditions established by the municipality.

Exceptions for specific breeds

In Portugal, strict rules apply to dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs. This specifically applies to seven breeds identified in the law: Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Tosa Inu. Crossbreeds of these dogs are also considered potentially dangerous.

Owners of these dogs must be of legal age, have a clean criminal record (no convictions in the past 5 years), and have liability insurance. A special permit must be requested from the local municipality (junta de freguesia).

In public spaces, these dogs must wear a muzzle and be leashed. Potentially dangerous dogs without a pedigree must be sterilized between 4 and 6 months of age.

A dog can also be classified as "dangerous" if it has bitten, attacked, or caused injury to a person, or if it has caused serious injury to or killed another animal.

Traveling with more than 5 animals

When traveling with more than five animals, they must undergo a clinical examination, and their passport must include an additional certificate issued by the official veterinarian of the country of departure. The animals will then be subject to commercial transportation regulations.

The non-commercial transportation rules still apply when transporting more than five animals for participation in competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, or training, as long as the animals are older than 6 months and the owner can provide written proof of participation.