Dogs in Portugal: rules, tax and travel

Dogs, cats and ferrets must be registered in the national SIAC database by a vet. Owners must update their details when they move, record ownership changes and report a death or loss.[2]

Dogs must be microchipped and registered in SIAC within 120 days of birth. If the birth date is unknown the time counts from the loss of the milk incisors.[3]

Dogs registered in SIAC must be licensed every year at the junta de freguesia of the owner's home. The first SIAC registration counts as a one year licence.[3]

Travel between the mainland and the Azores or Madeira with a dog over 3 months needs proof of valid rabies vaccination, and the microchip must come before the vaccination.[3]

The pet travels with its owner and needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at 12 weeks or older and valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination, and an EU pet passport. Maximum 5 pets per vehicle.[4]

The pet needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (12 weeks or older, valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination), an animal health certificate valid 10 days for the entry checks, and a signed non-commercial declaration. It must enter through a travellers' point of entry. Maximum 5 pets per vehicle.[5]

Needed for pets from non-EU countries that are not on the EU list. Blood sample at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before the certificate is issued, tested at a designated laboratory, result 0.5 IU/ml or more. Not needed when travelling between EU countries.[5]

Tapeworm treatment for dogs is required only for entry into Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland, given by a vet 24 to 120 hours before entry. It is not required to enter this country.[4]

The EU entry conditions list no quarantine for pets that meet them.[5]