Planning to relocate with your furry family member from Canada to Portugal? This process requires careful preparation and understanding of international pet travel regulations. Whether you're moving permanently or taking an extended vacation, ensuring your pet's safe and legal transport is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know about pet travel from Canada to Portugal, from documentation requirements to transportation options.
Before embarking on your journey, it's crucial to understand Portugal's specific requirements for pet entry. As an EU member state, Portugal follows European Union regulations for pet imports.
The first step in preparing your pet for travel to Portugal is ensuring proper identification. All pets entering Portugal must:
The microchip serves as your pet's permanent identification and is the first thing officials will check upon arrival.
Portugal requires all incoming pets to have:
Your veterinarian should record all vaccination details in your pet's health documents, including the vaccine name, batch number, and administration date.
When traveling from Canada to Portugal, you'll need:
This documentation confirms your pet is healthy and meets all entry requirements for Portugal.
Portugal follows the EU's "5-Day Rule" for non-commercial pet transport, which means:
Additionally, be aware that Portugal restricts certain dog breeds, including:
If you own one of these breeds or a mix, additional requirements may apply.
When planning pet travel from Canada to Portugal, you have several options:
In-cabin transport: Small pets (typically under 8-10kg including carrier) may travel in the cabin with you on certain airlines. This option provides the comfort of having your pet nearby throughout the journey.
Checked baggage: Medium to large pets typically travel in the temperature-controlled cargo hold as checked baggage when you're on the same flight.
Cargo shipping: For separate pet transport or larger animals, cargo shipping is an option, though it requires more coordination.
Professional pet transport services: Companies like Paws en route specialize in international pet travel and can handle the entire process from documentation to delivery.
Air Canada offers multiple options for pet travel, making it a popular choice for international pet transport. For in-cabin Air Canada pet travel, small cats and dogs weighing under 22 lbs (10 kg) including their carrier are permitted. The pet fee for traveling with pets in the cabin is $50 USD for domestic flights and $100 USD for international flights.
When traveling with pets on Air Canada, note that starting June 1, 2025, all pets traveling in the cabin must be transported in soft-sided carriers only, as hard kennels will no longer be accepted on board any Air Canada flights. This policy change helps ensure pets can fit comfortably under seats across different aircraft types.
For larger pets, Air Canada allows cats and dogs as checked baggage if the combined weight with the carrier doesn't exceed 100 lbs (45 kg). The fee for this service is $105 for one-way travel within Canada/US and $270 for international flights. Air Canada may refuse animals traveling in the hold if temperatures are too high, and brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dog breeds cannot travel in the baggage compartment due to breathing risks.
WestJet pets policy is relatively flexible, allowing dogs, cats, rabbits, and certain birds to travel in-cabin. Unlike many airlines, WestJet permits various pets to fly in the cabin for fees ranging between $50 and $100 each way, depending on your destination. For pet travel WestJet requires advance reservations, which must be made by phone rather than online.
When traveling with pets on WestJet, carriers for in-cabin pets should have maximum dimensions of 16" x 8.5" x 10" (41 cm x 21.5 cm x 25.4 cm) and must be soft-sided, airline-approved, and leak-proof. For pets traveling as checked baggage, WestJet accepts a wider variety of animals including cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, chinchillas, guinea pigs, and hedgehogs.
WestJet recommends several preparations for pet travel, including consulting your veterinarian before reserving travel if your pet is pregnant, feeding your pet a light meal prior to departure, exercising your pet before leaving for the airport, and acclimating your pet to their kennel well before the travel date. Note that WestJet does not allow pets to travel during the holiday season from December 15th through January 6th each year.
When booking flights for international pet travel to Portugal, consider:
Your pet's carrier must:
For more detailed information on airline-approved pet carriers, check out our dedicated blog post Airline-Approved Pet Carriers: The Ultimate Guide
As your departure date approaches, follow this timeline:
4-6 months before travel:
1-2 months before travel:
10-30 days before travel:
48 hours before travel:
Upon arrival in Portugal, you'll need to:
Portugal's main international airports in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro have Border Inspection Posts for pet entry. You must notify these authorities at least 48 hours before arrival.
For a stress-free experience, consider hiring professional pet transport services like Paws en route. These specialists offer:
Professional pet relocation services can be particularly valuable for complex international moves or when you're unable to travel with your pet.
Pet travel from Canada to Portugal requires careful planning, but with proper preparation, the process can be straightforward. By understanding the requirements, preparing the necessary documentation, and considering professional assistance when needed, you can ensure a safe and comfortable journey for your beloved companion.
Remember that regulations can change, so always verify the most current requirements with official sources before traveling. With the right preparation, you and your pet will soon be enjoying Portugal's beautiful landscapes and pet-friendly culture together.
Need assistance with your pet's journey to Portugal? Contact Paws en route for complete pet transport services tailored to your specific needs.
