For many, a move abroad wouldn’t be complete without their pets. Fortunately, Portugal is a rather pet-friendly country, welcoming dogs, cats, and other companions with relatively straightforward import rules, plenty of green space, and a growing pet culture. But before you book your pet’s one-way ticket, it’s important to understand the rules, logistics, and lifestyle of living with a pet in Portugal.
Here’s everything you need to know—from paperwork to paw prints on the beach.
Bringing Your Pet to Portugal
Import Rules (Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets):
Microchip: Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip.
Rabies Vaccination: Mandatory and must be administered at least 21 days before travel if it’s the first vaccination.
Health Certificate: For non-EU countries (like the U.S. or Canada), you’ll need an EU-compliant veterinary certificate (often referred to as the “Annex IV” form), signed by an accredited vet and endorsed by your country’s USDA or CFIA authority.
Tapeworm Treatment: Required only for dogs coming from certain countries (e.g., the UK).
Work with a qualified vet to get the right paperwork together. And, work with the airline when you book the ticket to get the animal a place on the aircraft.
All arriving pets must see the airport vet for a check up.
Entry Points: Pets must arrive at designated airports (Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Azores) and should enter Portugal within 10 days of the date on their health certificate being issued in your home nation.
Travel Tip: If flying, check with your airline about pet travel policies—some allow pets in the cabin under a certain weight, others require cargo travel. TAP Air Portugal and Delta, for example, allow small pets in-cabin in a carrier. Please check in advance.
Finding a Home with a Pet
Rental Restrictions: Not all landlords allow pets, especially in urban apartments. Be upfront in your search, and look for listings that say “aceita animais de estimação” (pets allowed).
Pet-Friendly Areas: Rural properties and houses with yards are more accommodating. In cities, neighborhoods near parks—like Lisbon’s Campo Grande or Porto’s Jardins do Palácio de Cristal—make great choices.
Vet Care and Pet Services
Veterinary Care: Portugal has excellent veterinary services at affordable rates. Most cities and towns have local vet clinics, and larger cities offer 24-hour animal hospitals. Routine care is inexpensive—vaccinations, exams, and even surgeries cost a fraction of what you might pay in North America.
Pet Passport (EU Pet Passport):Once you're in Portugal and have residency, you can get an EU Pet Passport from a local vet. This makes future travel around Europe much easier.
Pet Insurance:Optional, but increasingly popular. Companies like Tranquilidade and Fidelidade offer pet plans covering accidents, illness, and sometimes routine care.
Day-to-Day Life with a Pet in Portugal
Portuguese people do treat their dogs well—but the culture around pet ownership has evolved a lot in recent years, and it still varies depending on the region, age group, and urban vs. rural setting. The culture of pet companionship is rapidly expanding, supported by better laws, stronger veterinary care, and a growing network of services and community groups. Still, dogs are often seen as more animal than pet, and abuse is still not uncommon. But remember, in the US more than 250,000 animals annually are victims of animal hoarding, with most living in unsanitary conditions. Close to 400,000 dogs that enter American shelters are euthanized annually.
Walks and Parks:
Dogs are walked everywhere—on sidewalks, beaches, and trails. Dogs are not allowed on any beach where there are life guards in the summer season.
Leashes are required in public spaces, and you’re expected to clean up after your pet.
Some cities have parques caninos (dog parks), and many beaches allow dogs in the off-season (October–May). A few now have designated praias para cães (dog beaches).
Dog Culture: Portugal is becoming more pet-friendly, with dogs welcome at some cafés, shops, and even wineries. Most often they are allowed in outdoor eating areas only. Not all public transport allows animals—on trains or buses, small pets are typically allowed in carriers; larger dogs may need muzzles and tickets.
Cats & Other Pets: Cats are common and often indoor-outdoor. Pet shops also sell supplies for rabbits, birds, and reptiles. Stray cats are prevalent in some areas, and there are many local animal charities helping with rescues and sterilization.
Pet Adoption & Community
If you’re not bringing a pet but want to adopt one locally, there are plenty of opportunities. Shelters (canis and gatis) across the country are full of loving animals looking for homes. You can also volunteer, foster, or donate to groups like:
SOS Animal (Lisbon)
Dogs of Portugal (Setúbal)
Animais de Rua (nationwide)
Pata Ativa (Porto)