Home/Routes/France to Portugal
FR
France
✈️
PT
Portugal

Pet Transport from France to Portugal

Moving to Portugal from France with a dog or cat means starting the paperwork months before your flight. This route is relatively straightforward compared to some international routes. Start preparations at least 4 weeks before your travel …

NoneQuarantine on arrival
Low routeExpert coordination essential
4-10 weeksPreparation lead time
Fully managedDoor to door service available
Lead time needed
4-10 weeks
Quarantine
Not required
Route complexity
Low
Airlines
7 carriers on this route
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Step by step

The France to Portugal pet import process

Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.

1
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
First step: must be done before any vaccinations.
2
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
3
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
4
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
5
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Portugal

Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.

Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Before rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. EU requirement: 21 days between vaccination and travel.
Rabies titre test
Not required for pets from EU, UK, and certain third countries.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets from approved countries.
Import permit
EU pet passport or health certificate
Health certificate
Required. Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport. Issued by: Official veterinarian. Valid for 10 days from issue. EU pet passport valid from EU; health certificate for non-EU origins.
Export permit (France)
No formal export permit. Health certificate and EU pet passport serve as documentation.
Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points to read before you book

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Carriers approved for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.

Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo

Understanding Portugal's pet import rules

Compared to some international pet transport routes, France to Portugal is manageable. That said, every country’s rules are different and the timing requirements are strict.

EU member state. EU pet travel rules apply. DGAV (General Directorate of Food and Veterinary) oversees imports.

Things to sort before you book

Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.

Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.

If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.

FAQ

Common questions about France to Portugal pet transport

Allow at least 4 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in Portugal for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
No, Portugal does not require a rabies titre test for most pets arriving from France. Your pet still needs a valid rabies vaccination and microchip. Check the current requirements with the destination authority before travel.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in France. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Portugal’s authority for the exact format required.
Airline guides
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →
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Route at a glance
FromFrance
ToPortugal
Prep time4-10 weeks
ComplexityLow
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