Many pet lovers decide to take their furry friends when moving to another country. Pets are part of the family, but bringing them with you can be difficult. If you are planning to move to Portugal, you first need to understand the formalities and paperwork required to bring your pet in this country. If moving from the UK, you have to obtain a Pet Passport for each of your pets. You must also find the right pet transportation to fit your budget.
Portugal is a beautiful country that has something for everyone. There are plenty of places where your pet can play and enjoy the outdoors. If you want to bring a cat or a dog into Portugal, you should plan things ahead, as there is quite a lot of paperwork required. The European Union has a special system for relocating pets, including dogs, cats and ferrets. However, the Portuguese laws do not allow ferrets to be kept as domestic pets. Portugal issued this law in order to avoid cross breeding with ferrets in the wild.
Your pet must be micro chipped and vaccinated against rabies. If you currently live in the UK, you can apply to The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), which allows domestic animals to travel from the United Kingdom without undergoing quarantine. A cat or dog entering Portugal needs the following documents:
• Identification by microchip in accordance with ISO 11784
• A European Pet Passport
• Proof of a rabies vaccine
• EU Vet Health Certificate
Your pets need to be vaccinated within 21 days before they come to Portugal. For hamsters, rabbits, and mice, pet passports are not required. Dogs and cats need to have an EU Vet Health Certificate. This document will be provided by your accredited veterinarian. The health certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue. All documents must travel with the pet.
Some airlines allow pet transportation. However, sensitive pets will find this experience disturbing. Many expats bring their pets by road. You can also opt for a pet relocation service. Some companies offer door-to-door pet transport and pet travel services. If you will be traveling by car, search for hotels along the way that accept pets. Use a large carrier that allows your cat or dog to stand and turn around. Make sure your pet’s collar includes a tag labeled with your contact information, as well as license and rabies verification tags.