Home/Routes/Portugal to Ireland
PT
Portugal
✈️
IE
Ireland

Pet Transport from Portugal to Ireland

Getting your pet from Portugal to Ireland is entirely achievable, but the preparation timeline is not flexible. This route is moderately involved, with a clear checklist to follow. Start preparations at least 20 weeks before your travel …

NoneQuarantine on arrival
Moderate routeExpert coordination essential
20-26 weeksPreparation lead time
Fully managedDoor to door service available
Lead time needed
20-26 weeks
Quarantine
Not required
Route complexity
Moderate
Airlines
7 carriers on this route
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Step by step

The Portugal to Ireland 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
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
4
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.
5
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
6
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 Ireland

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

Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on same day as rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. 21-day wait from first vaccination. Boosters given in-time have no additional wait.
Rabies titre test
Required for: Pets from non-EU/non-listed countries. Not required for: Pets from EU member states and approved listed countries. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant pets from listed/EU countries.
Import permit
EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate (AHC) serves as the travel document. No separate import permit needed.
Health certificate
Required. EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate (AHC). Issued by: Official or authorised veterinarian. Valid for 10 days from issue. EU pet passport valid indefinitely as long as vaccinations are current. AHC valid 10 days for entry.
Export permit (Portugal)
No formal export permit required. Destination import documentation serves as travel authority.
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
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
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
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
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
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 Ireland's pet import rules

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

EU member. Ireland uses the EU pet travel scheme. Part 1 listed country for UK entry. Large population of pets moving between Ireland, UK, and Europe.

Step-by-step: what to do first

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.

Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.

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 Portugal to Ireland pet transport

Allow at least 20 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 Ireland 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.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Ireland. Start this process as early as possible.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Portugal. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Ireland’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
FromPortugal
ToIreland
Prep time20-26 weeks
ComplexityModerate
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