Pet Transport from Portugal to the Philippines

No airline operates a non-stop service from Lisbon to Manila. Your options centre on connecting hubs.

Lufthansa via Frankfurt and Air France via Paris CDG are the two most straightforward European hub options. Both have established animal cargo operations and good Manila connectivity. On the European leg, small pets may travel in cabin (Lisbon to Frankfurt or Paris), then proceed as cargo to Manila.

Emirates via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha are popular for Asia-Pacific routings from Europe. Both have reliable cargo operations but summer embargoes (June-September for some Gulf transit routes) are worth factoring in if you are travelling with a brachycephalic breed.

Singapore Airlines via Changi is worth considering if schedule and cost allow. SIN is one of Asia’s best animal cargo hubs, and Singapore Airlines has a good welfare reputation. The slightly longer routing from Lisbon is offset by the quality of the connection.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) does not serve Lisbon directly but connects from London and other European cities. As the national carrier, PAL has familiar handling at Manila.

The Bureau of Animal Industry is the Philippines’ authority for animal imports. Their process has three firm requirements:

First, you need an import permit obtained at least 30 days before your pet arrives. You cannot apply on arrival. The permit application requires your pet’s microchip number, vaccination history, and titre test result. Your pet transport agent can file this.

Second, the titre test must show a result of 0.5 IU/ml or greater. Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination at a BAI-recognised laboratory. Keep the original laboratory printout.

Third, the 7-day quarantine is non-negotiable. Your pet will be held at a BAI-approved facility near Manila for 7 days. You can visit, but your pet does not come home until the quarantine period ends. Book the facility in advance – space is limited.

The health certificate must be issued by a Portuguese veterinarian and endorsed by DGAV. The certificate must confirm microchip number, vaccination status, titre test result, and fitness to travel.

Portugal’s Directorate-General of Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV) acts as the competent authority for certifying animal health certificates for export outside the EU.

The process involves your regular vet drafting or completing a health certificate in the BAI-required format, then submitting it to the local DGAV district office for official endorsement. Allow at least 5-7 working days for endorsement, and do not schedule this for the final 24 hours before a flight.

The certificate must be dated within 10 days of your pet’s departure. If you have a connection in Frankfurt or Paris, the certificate must still be valid on arrival in Manila. DGAV has offices in Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and other cities – confirm which office handles your region.