THE ALGARVE

If you are considering a permanent move to Portugal and want to bring your dog or cat with you, there are certain procedures to follow. ‘PETS’ (Pet Travel Scheme) is the system that allows pet dogs and cats to travel amongst EU and certain non-EU countries. To enter EU countries with pets from the UK you should get your pet micro chipped, (although some countries accept tattoos) and vaccinated against rabies. You should then obtain an EU pet passport. This will allow you to import your pet into most other EU countries.

A non-commercial pet importer may bring up to 5 pets into Portugal. If you have more, contact the Portuguese DGV (Direcção-Geral Veterinária) for advice. Animals under three months old can only enter Portugal from an EU country if the owner can prove that an animal not yet weaned is accompanied by its mother. If the rabies vaccination was the pet’s first vaccine then 21 days must pass before the pet may enter Portugal. There is no time delay with booster injections providing there is proof that the booster was given before the last vaccine had expired.

 Step by step procedures for importing your pet into Portugal:

 1.      Have your pet micro-chipped.

2.      Have your pet vaccinated against rabies after the micro-chipping,     even if the last vaccine is still current.

3.      Arrange a blood test to confirm satisfactory level of protection against rabies.

4.      Arrange ‘PETS’ documentation. For animals travelling to countries within the EU, such as Portugal, an EU passport is required.

5.      Arrange for your pet to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route.

6.      If you intend to return to the UK with your pet, he/she must be treated against ticks and tape worms no less than 24 hours and no more than 48 hours before he/she is checked in with an approved company for the journey into the UK.

Not all transport companies are registered as animal transporters. If you want to bring your pets from the UK to Portugal by air you can use one of the following companies:

Thomsonfly; GB Airways; Monarch Airlines; My Travel; British Airways World Cargo.

They fly to and from the below airports:

 To                      From

 Faro Airport   Doncaster

                          Gatwick

                          Heathrow

                          Manchester

Lisbon Airport  Gatwick

                           Heathrow

                          Manchester

Funchal Airport           Gatwick

(Madeira)                 Manchester

If you choose to travel by sea, Brittany Ferries sail to Santander, Spain, from Portsmouth and Plymouth.

And if you prefer rail travel, the Euro Tunnel Shuttle Service allows pets to travel from Folkestone to Calais.

There are of course many issues to consider before putting your pet through an overseas journey, such as the state of the pet’s health, whether or not it will take to its new life in a foreign land with different temperatures, and if your pet will be able to learn a new language to fit in with the locals!

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