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Pet-to-Portugal timeline generator
The paperwork for flying a dog or cat from the US to Portugal has hard deadlines in both directions — some counted back from your flight, one counted forward from a vet visit. Enter your travel date and current status; this plans every date for you.
Rules
last verified 31 July 2026 against
USDA APHIS — US to Portugal. Two traps most guides miss: the EU counts a
primary rabies vaccination as valid for only 1 year (even a US 3-year vaccine), and
Portugal requires written notice to authorities at least 48 hours before arrival.
The rules behind the dates
- Order matters: ISO microchip first; a rabies vaccination given before the chip doesn't count for the EU.
- 21-day wait after the qualifying rabies vaccination before travel (many vets recommend 30 for immunity).
- EU health certificate: issued by a USDA-accredited vet and endorsed (ink-signed and embossed) by USDA, with your pet entering the EU within 10 days of issuance. That's a tight window — book the vet and the endorsement together.
- Portugal's 48-hour notice: written notice of arrival to the authorities at least two days out.
- Up to 5 animals travel non-commercially (owner travels within 5 days of the pet); 6+ requires the commercial route.
- No tapeworm treatment for Portugal (that rule is Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway).
Information tool, not veterinary or legal advice. Airlines add their own crate, heat-embargo and breed rules — confirm with the carrier. Rules change; verify against the linked APHIS page close to travel.