PT
DK

Pet Transport from Portugal to Denmark

Portugal to Denmark is intra-EU travel, which means your pet's EU pet passport is all you need on the documentation side. No titre test, no quarantine, no import permit. The 21-day wait after any …

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1-4
Weeks lead time needed
Start this early minimum
0
Days quarantine on arrival
Very Low
Route complexity
6
Airlines on this route
Step by step

The Portugal to Denmark import process

01
Confirm microchip and rabies vaccination are valid.
Check EU pet passport is current

Responsible: Your veterinarian

02
Before booking -- Danish law bans 13 breeds.
Confirm your dog is not on Denmark's banned breed list

Responsible: You

03
1-2 weeks before travel.
Book flight with TAP or SAS; confirm pet space

Responsible: You

04
Present EU pet passport at check-in. No special entry process in Denmark.
Travel day

Responsible: You

Requirements

Denmark entry requirements

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

Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785).
Rabies vaccination
Required. 21-day wait after primary vaccination. Booster: no wait if administered before previous vaccination expires.
Rabies titre test
Not required for EU-origin pets.
Quarantine
No quarantine.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU pet passport accepted. Danish Food and Veterinary Administration (FVST) governs compliance.
Leaving Portugal

Export requirements

Export permit
{'required': False}
Health certificate
EU pet passport accepted for intra-EU travel to Denmark. No separate endorsement required.
Costs

What this route typically costs

Cabin pet fee (approximately EUR 40-80 with TAP or SAS)
Cargo fee for larger pets (EUR 120-400)
EU pet passport if not already issued
IATA-approved carrier or crate

Critical points

Denmark bans 13 dog breeds including the Pit Bull Terrier and Tosa Inu. Banned breeds cannot legally be brought into Denmark even as EU residents. Check the full list before you book.

Ryanair and easyJet do not accept pets. If you find a budget ticket, verify pet policy before purchase.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

AirlineNotesType
TAP Air PortugalDirect and indirect Lisbon-Copenhagen service. Small pets accepted in cabin (under 8kg including carrier). Larger pets via TAP Cargo. Good cabin pet acceptance record on European routes.Cabin and Cargo
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)Operates Lisbon-Copenhagen service. Denmark's partner national carrier. Small pets accepted in cabin. Familiarity with Danish pet import rules.Cabin and Cargo
LufthansaVia Frankfurt. Small pets in cabin. Larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo. Adds a connection but good pet handling at FRA.Cabin and Cargo
Air FranceVia Paris CDG. Small pets in cabin. Indirect but a reliable option.Cabin and Cargo
RyanairDoes not accept pets. Not suitable for pet transport.No Pets
easyJetDoes not accept pets. Not suitable for pet transport.No Pets

TAP Air Portugal vs SAS: which is better for your pet?

Both TAP and SAS operate on the Lisbon-Copenhagen route and both accept pets in cabin. For most owners, the choice comes down to schedule and price.

TAP is your home carrier and has good familiarity with cabin pet bookings from Lisbon. Their cabin pet policy allows animals under 8kg (including carrier) in the cabin. Larger animals travel as cargo.

SAS brings its Scandinavian orientation: their staff at Copenhagen Airport are accustomed to pet arrivals. SAS also accepts small pets in cabin on this route. If you are settling into Denmark for the long term, some owners find SAS useful for loyalty programme purposes.

Neither airline needs any extra documentation beyond the EU pet passport and the standard pet booking form.

Budget carriers on this route – Ryanair and easyJet in particular – do not accept pets in any capacity. If someone recommends a budget flight for a pet owner, it is worth double-checking their assumptions.

Denmark's breed ban: what you need to know

Denmark’s Dog Act (Hundeloven) prohibits the import, ownership, and breeding of 13 dog breeds. The list includes: Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Ovcharka, Tornjak, and Sarplaninac.

This applies to all dogs regardless of where they were born or how long the owner has lived in Portugal. Moving from Portugal to Denmark does not create an exemption.

Mixed-breed dogs that appear to match a prohibited breed may also be assessed under Danish law. This is a real risk for certain rescue dogs.

If your dog is one of these breeds or potentially one of them, seek legal advice before booking anything. There is no workaround.

What happens when you land in Copenhagen with a pet?

Arriving at Copenhagen Airport (CPH) with a pet from Portugal is routine for EU residents. Present the EU pet passport at the border. A veterinary inspection may occur but is not always mandatory for intra-EU movements from low-risk countries.

Danish authorities (FVST) can spot-check pet documentation at the border. Ensure your pet’s EU passport is fully and correctly completed, with microchip number, vaccination dates, and veterinarian details all legible and consistent.

There is no quarantine facility wait. If your pet’s documentation is in order, they travel home with you.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. An EU pet passport is sufficient for a dog, cat, or ferret moving between Portugal and Denmark. The passport must show a valid microchip and a current rabies vaccination. No titre test, quarantine, or import permit is required.
Denmark bans 13 breeds under the Dog Act. Check the list: Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd, Caucasian Shepherd, South Russian Ovcharka, Tornjak, and Sarplaninac. If your dog is on this list, it cannot legally enter Denmark.
Yes. TAP accepts cats and small dogs in the cabin on this route. The combined weight of pet plus carrier must be under 8kg. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. Reserve your pet’s place when booking your own ticket.
Book a booster with your vet as soon as possible. If your dog has had previous rabies vaccinations and the booster is given before the previous one fully lapses, no 21-day wait applies. If you have missed the window and the booster is given after expiry, a new 21-day wait applies. Your vet will know which situation applies.
Budget EUR 40-80 for the cabin pet fee on TAP or SAS. Add the cost of an IATA-compliant soft carrier if you do not have one. For dogs travelling as cargo, fees range from EUR 120-400 depending on size. The total cost of the journey is usually under EUR 200 for a small dog.
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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