Portugal to Implement New Pet Travel Regulations from April 2026: What New Updates You Need to Know

Starting April 22nd, 2026, Portugal will implement the new regulations on the movement of pets within the EU. This system will replace the one that has been in place since 2013. The new rules, which are part of the European Commission’s Delegated Regulations, will focus on the welfare of pets as well as improve regulations regarding pets crossing EU borders. Most of the current requirements, including microchipping and rabies vaccines, will stay the same. However, the new regulations will add more requirements to help prevent illegal trafficking of pets and protect the health of the animal(s) and humans in the EU.

Increased Health and Documentation Requirements

The new regulations will increase the health documentation and checks regarding pets traveling to Portugal, especially regarding pets coming from outside the EU. Under the new regulations, pets will need to have an EU health certificate. The certificate will need to state that the pet’s rabies status is current, and will need to state that the pet originates from an EU rabies-free country and has been in that country for the 30 days prior to traveling. The goal of new documentation requirements is to limit the introduction of rabies and other zoonotic diseases into the EU.

New rules will start applying to the transport of pets within the European Union, applying to dogs, cats, and ferrets, with a non-commercial limit of five animals transported per trip. Any transport of animals that exceeds this limit is subject to stricter commercial trade regulations, except if the animals are being transported for confirmed sporting activities or competitions.

New Rules for Pet Birds

New rules are being implemented for the transport of pet birds due to the rising risk of the spread of avian influenza. The disease is due to the transport of birds, and in order to lessen the effects, pet birds will now have to be tagged with a unique ID number (alphanumeric). Birds that are, in some instances, subject to quarantine and testing, and only after that may they gain access to the European Union, including Portugal.

Digital Transformation and Traceability

The new pet travel rules facilitate the use of new technologies. Although it is not mandatory, the regulation suggests the use of digital pre-registration for all pets entering the EU. This step is part of the European Commission’s efforts to control illicit traffic of pets. The aim of the pre-registration system is to aim at digital traffic systems control. It also helps develop an animal traceability system at the European level, which helps control the traceability of pets. This will help control the animals. Traceability will also help control animals entering the EU under the new rules. This will also help control the animals. Traceability will also help control the animals. Animals will be traceable under the new laws. Animals will be traceable.

Portugal’s National Guidelines and Custom Procedures

Portugal’s national authorities are expected to issue guidelines for residents and tourists to adapt to these new EU regulations. This will help transform the pet transportation system to comply with the EU “One Health” policy that integrates human, animal, and environmental health.

The New Rules for Pet Owners in Portugal

New rules in Portugal are affecting pet owners. They are also going to affect travelers with multiple pets. There will also be effects on owners who are bringing pets to Portugal from outside the EU. Now, owners will be able to digitally register their pets to travel with them to Portugal. This will simplify the process and allow for a more transparent system. Lastly, responsible travelers will have to be informed about the requirements for their travels. They will have to provide a lot of time to complete the registrations and process the required documents.

The new smuggling rules also have to do with the health of travelers and pet owners in Portugal. The new rules will be able to protect the health of pets in Portugal because of the new traceability measures. This will also protect European pet owners and travelers because there will be less animal trafficking.

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