Our pet transport service is subject to:

• the availability of space on the aircraft.
• the cabin in which the passenger is travelling and the type of aircraft.
• the acceptance of the animal into the country of destination.
• the type of animal and the total combined weight of the animal and box.
• the age of the animal - it must be at least 12 weeks old (10 weeks for trips within mainland Portugal, the Azores, Madeira and Spain, or when carried in the cabin)

For this reason, it must be requested when booking the trip, or before the flight, preferably at least 48 hours before departure.

Please note that the information on this page applies to flights operated by TAP Air Portugal. If the flight has a connection with another airline, please check the possibility of transporting pets with that company. 

To find out if it is possible to transport a pet on a flight and the respective cost, you must provide the following information when requesting this service:

Depending on the animal(s) size and/or weight (animal plus box), animal(s) may be accepted:

• In-Cabin – PETC (up to 08 kg)
• In Hold – AVIH (up to 45 kg)*
• In Cargo – AVI - (For more information/conditions, the local Cargo Department must be consulted).

*On certain routes, by law, the maximum weight will be restricted to 32 kg. To/from/via the following countries it’s only accepted AVIH up to 32kgs (total animal + box):
✓ USA
✓ Hungary
✓ France
✓ Netherlands

It is the passenger's responsibility:

• to have all the animal's documentation up-to-date concerning both the animal's health and the rules for entry into the country of destination (passengers are advised to contact their veterinarian or the relevant government authorities in the countries of origin and destination.); 
•  to provide a suitable box for transport following TAP's and IATA's rules.
• The passenger must also provide the necessary food and water for the journey.

This is a paid service, and it's non-refundable, except for assistance animals - SVAN. 

If the itinerary involves more than one airline

Make sure to check the conditions of carriage with each one and that you have confirmation of the service from all. This also applies to code-share flights operated by our partner airlines.

When travel requires a connection or a stopover, please note that:

• Depending on the itinerary and the combined total weight (animal + transport box), the animal may have to fly part of the route in the cabin and another part in the hold - this is the case for flights between the United States and Europe (for example, New York - Lisbon - Madrid).
• Whenever the conditions for the animal's transportation are not the same for the whole route - that is if part of the trip is in the cabin and another in the basement - the 3 hours required on the intermediate scale should be guaranteed to ensure that every fundamental process and diligence are fulfilled.
• If the animal travels in the cabin and moves to the hold on the second route, the passenger must provide the transport box for the animal at the point of origin.

Transporting pets in the cabin

Only dogs and cats may be transported in the cabin in their own soft carrier with a total weight (animal/animals + carrier) of up to 8kg / 17lbs. This carrier must be accommodated in the space under the seat, which is 45x30x23cm. All pets (with the exception of assistance dogs) exceeding this weight must be transported in the hold.

Mandatory conditions for transporting animals in the cabin:

To ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and animals, the transport of pets in the cabin must comply with the following conditions:

• Only dogs and cats can be transported in the cabin.
• Each passenger can only take one soft animal transport suitcase/bag and it can contain up to two animals of the same species.
• It is not permitted to transport dogs/cats in Business Class on long-haul flights (except assistance dogs on some of these flights).

The cabin carrier/soft bag has to:

• Be malleable.
• Have enough space for the animal(s) to move within the bag/carrier.
• Animals must fit completely in the carrier (including head and tail).
• Be watertight (to retain the animal's fluids).
• Be placed under the seat in front of the passenger so as not to obstruct passage through the cabin.

The animal:

• Must be at least 10 weeks old.
• It must be completely inside the carrier during the entire flight (including head and tail).
• It must be clean, healthy and free from odours.
• Cannot occupy a seat or move around the cabin.
• It must not constitute a threat or disturb passengers.
• If it is female, it cannot be pregnant.

Other conditions:

• Passengers with PETC cannot be accepted in the emergency rows or the first rows after the bulkheads. The allocation of specific seats to passengers may apply.
• Transport of small cats or dogs can be done in Economy Class and Business Class on most TAP equipment (not allowed in Business Class on long-haul flights, except assistance dogs - SVAN). The availability of the service must always be checked.
• An unaccompanied minor (UMNR) cannot take a PETC.
• Transporting animals in the cabin is subject to government regulations
• Each passenger can only carry one soft carrier. However, this can contain a maximum of two animals of the same species as long as they are used to living together and have space to move within the bag/carrier.
   

TAP reserves the right to refuse to transport a pet in the cabin and to transfer it to the hold if all the necessary conditions for this type of transport are not met.

Examples of soft carriers permitted in the cabin:

GDS entries e.g.

Transporting pets in the hold

Only dogs and cats can be transported in the hold, in their own rigid carrier, provided they have a combined weight (carrier + animal/animals) of:

Mandatory conditions for transporting animals (+box) in the hold:

To ensure the safety and well-being of the animal, the following conditions must be met:

The transport box must:

• Be rigid and suitable for transporting animals. Bags, soft boxes or pet bags that can be easily dented are not accepted.
• Be made of resistant material with latches and pins on the door and screws and nuts on the sides that join the top and bottom of the carrier (any other closing system is prohibited).
• Be well-ventilated (on at least 3 sides).
• Have the floor covered with absorbent material such as hygienic mats, blankets or pillows that retain the animal's fluids (straw and newspaper are not allowed).
• Be delivered to the check-in or drop-off counters for passenger acceptance, and subsequently placed in the ventilated area of the hold.
• Boxes cannot have wheels. If the boxes have wheels, these must be removed.

 The passenger responsible for the animal must:

• Contact the company and wait for confirmation of availability to transport the animal in the hold.
• Provide enough food and water for the entire journey, as it is not possible to feed the animals during transit stops. If possible, separate containers for food and water should be fixed inside the container.

The animal:

• must be at least 12 weeks old (10 weeks for Azores, Madeira and Spain).
• must be able to stand inside the carrier, with your head completely raised, without it touching the top of the carrier.
• should be able to turn around inside the carrier and lie down comfortably.
• cannot have a muzzle or leash, nor can these items be left in the carrier.
• cannot be a brachycephalic (dogs or cats that, due to their short, flat snouts, have specific respiratory limitations and may be at risk of death at average basement temperatures – between 10ºC and 19ºC).
• cannot exceed, together with the carrier, 32kg / 70lbs on flights with origin, destination or stopover in USA, Hungary, France and the Netherlands.
• cannot exceed, together with the carrier, 45kg / 99lbs when travelling to, origin or stopover in other countries.
• "Fighting dogs" must be transported in a special container and will only be accepted if authorization for entry into the destination country has been confirmed.

In the same box it can be transported:

• one animal at least 12 weeks old (10 weeks for Azores, Madeira and Spain), up to 45kg (weight of the animal together with the weight of the carrier OR
• up to two animals of the same species, if over six months old, with a maximum weight of each up to 14kg and accustomed to living together OR
• up to three animals of the same species, if up to six months old, the maximum weight of each one is up to 14 kg and they are used to living together.

Other conditions:

• Cats or dogs that are used to cohabiting can be sent in the same transport box; in this case, they must not weigh more than 14 kg each;
  • Up to three puppies from the same litter, weighing up to 14kg each and less than 6 months old may also be sent together in the same box provided they have room to move around;
• The passenger must provide sufficient food and water for the entire journey, feeding or exercising animals in transit is not possible.
• The animal transport crate is delivered upon passenger acceptance at check-in and placed in the climatized area of the hold.
• The service code (SSR) in the reservation is AVIH;
  • please also enter the mandatory codes:
    • NORM - if weight is less than or equal to 32Kgs. 
    • LARGE - if the weight is over 32Kgs and up to 45Kg;                                 
  • add to the SSR the breed of the animal (dog/cat) in English.
• An unaccompanied minor (UMNR) cannot take an AVIH.

GDS entries e.g.

Important information about transporting animals in the hold

TAP Air Portugal does not advocate the use of tranquilizers or sedatives because they lower blood pressure, especially at high altitudes, which can be fatal for animals when traveling in the cargo hold of an aircraft. 

The costs associated with transporting animals as cargo are only valid from Portugal. For other countries, other fees may apply. For more information, please contact TAP Air Cargo.

Effective from 21NOV24

PETC (Pet in Cabin) - up to 8 kg

AVIH (Animal in Hold) - Up to 32 Kg

AVIH (Animal in Hold) - Over 32kg and up to 45kg

The above prices are per route and will be charged in the local currency, according to the exchange rate in force. These services are non-refundable.
For transactions carried out outside Europe, which use a different local currency, the service's value will be converted from the fixed amount in USD to the local currency (except Canada).

High Season: 11-Apr-25 to 28-Apr-25 / 15-Jul-25 to 31-Aug-25 / 12-Dec-25 to 05-Jan-26
Low Season: Rest of the year

Conditions applicable when the weight of the animal, including the carrier, exceeds the maximum permitted weights: 45kg / 99 lbs or 32kg / 70 lbs in the case of flights to, from or via the USA, Hungary, France and the Netherlands. In these cases, the following conditions must be met: 

• The animal must be at least 12 weeks old (10 weeks for the Azores, Madeira and Spain).
• Transport must be on the route described on the passenger's ticket.
• The animal is handed over for transport 4 hours before departure. The conditions/times for accepting the animal may differ depending on the place of departure.
• The passenger provides all the necessary documents and is responsible for any additional fees charged at origin and destination.
• TAP reserves the right to decide which flight the animal is transported on.
• Brachycephalic animals may not be transported.

Contact TAP Cargo for more information.

The health requirements and documents mentioned below are mandatory for all non-commercial movements of pets on flights between EU¹ member states or some non-EU² countries that are members of the European Union Pet Passport. We suggest that passengers always check with a veterinarian or with the competent government authorities in the countries of origin and destination about the requirements and documents needed for the non-commercial transportation of pets for the date and flight they wish to travel on.

• Microchip identification: The animal must have a microchip implanted in it that allows its identification. Animals identified by tattoo are only allowed if the tattoo was applied before 03/07/2011 and upon presentation of written proof.
• EU pet passport: it must be issued by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority of the country of origin and certify the animal's identification and anti-rabies vaccination.
• Valid anti-rabies vaccination: must be administered on or after the date of microchipping.
• Disclaimer for hold transport: (this document is only necessary if the animal has to be transported in the hold.)

Animals between the ages of 10 and 12 weeks do not need to present microchip identification, a pet passport or rabies vaccination. In this case, the documents required are:

• Health report for dogs and cats and Health certificate issued by a veterinary.

¹Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Finland.
²Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Vatican City State. 

Health requirements for travelling with pets between Mainland Portugal and the
Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira:

• Cats without rabies vaccination, of any age (in Portugal, rabies vaccination is not compulsory for these species), and dogs up to 3 months old - must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by a clinical veterinarian, certifying that the animal, on the date of the clinical examination, showed no signs of diseases specific to the species and was fit to travel to the destination;
• Dogs over 3 months old - must present a health report or passport with proof of valid rabies vaccination. Electronic identification is compulsory before this vaccination;
• Cats born on or after 25 October 2019 must be electronically identified within 120 days of birth. Cats born before 25 October 2019 must be electronically identified until 25 October 2022. 
• The Pet Passport is not compulsory.
• Deworming against internal and external parasites is always advisable.

Requirements and documents required for flights outside EU member states:

Before traveling by air to/from non-EU¹ countries with pets, we suggest that passengers always check with a veterinarian or with the competent government authorities in the countries of origin and destination about the requirements and documents needed for the non-commercial transportation of pets for the date and flight they wish to travel on.

¹Except Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and the Vatican State as they are members of the European Union Companion Passport.

For flights originating outside EU member states, the following requirements stand out: 

a) The Official Health Certificate for Entry into the European Union is valid for ten days until the date of the checks on arrival and for a further four months for movement through the Member States (unless the rabies vaccination expires earlier).

b) The EU Pet Passport is valid for return if the information on it has not changed during the stay outside the EU. If it is changed, the Official Health Certificate applies. 
As of 01/01/2021, passports issued up to that date in the United Kingdom are no longer valid in this context.

c) If the final destination is Portugal, it is compulsory to fill out and submit the form to report arrival. The form must be submitted as far in advance as possible and no later than 48 hours before arrival. You can obtain the form and the contact details where it should be sent here.

Below are some of the requirements and documentation needed for some of our most popular destinations:

Flights to Portugal

Animals flying to Portugal from non-EU countries (including the UK, except Northern Ireland) must submit an entry request to the DGAV at least 48 hours before arrival.

Flights from/to the United Kingdom

Flights to the UK:

Pets are not permitted. TAP is not authorized to transport pets to the United Kingdom - with the exception of Service Animals (SVAN) transported in the cabin.

Flights from the United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland):

• Microchip identification: The animal must have a microchip implanted that allows it to be identified.
• Valid rabies vaccination: This must be administered on or after the date the microchip is implanted,, and at least 21 days before the date of travel. The vaccine is administered to animals from 12 weeks of age.
• European Union pet passport: See point b) above.
• Animal Health Certificate (AHC): This document must be issued by an official veterinarian recognized by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), or by the Scottish or Welsh governments. Passengers should check with the animal's vet that it meets this requirement. The Animal Health Certificate is valid for ten days from the date of issue. If the destination is one of the EU member states, this certificate is the one indicated in a).

Flights from/to Brazil

Flights to Brazil:

• Valid documentation required: Pets are only allowed to enter Brazil on presentation of the International Veterinary Certificate¹, so the European Pet Passport is not valid. With the exception of dogs and cats, all other animals entering the country as cargo via TAP Air Cargo need to present an Import License issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply.
• Transportation of birds to Guarulhos: Birds bound for Guarulhos Airport (São Paulo) must be transported as cargo.
• For more information on transporting animals by air to Brazil, see the information links below:
  • Passenger Guide
  • Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture website (entering Brazil with pets)
  • International Agricultural Surveillance.
• Connecting flights operated by GOL and Azul: Passengers carrying animals in the hold (AVIH) or in the cabin (PETC) who have connecting flights within Brazil operated by GOL (G3) and Azul (AD) are not accepted. This rule applies to all flights operated by these airlines, even if the marketing flight number is TP.  Passengers should contact each airline directly.

Flights from Brazil to the EU:

• International Veterinary Certificates (CVI): Since November 1, 2022, CVIs for the European Union, Norway and Switzerland have been issued electronically². Check all the information here.
• If the passenger needs to transport animals by air from Brazil to the European Union, this document outlines the procedures.

¹Both the official health certificate issued in Brazil for entry into the European Union and the Brazilian passport are valid for return to Brazil, provided that no more than 60 days have elapsed, respectively, from the date of issue of the official certificate and from the date of departure of the animal as recorded in the passport, and provided that the rabies vaccination remains valid.
²The e-CVIs of pets destined for or in transit through Germany, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands must be stamped. The digital signature of the official veterinary doctor of Vigiagro/MAPA is enough.

Flights from/to Ireland (DUB)

Passengers from countries outside the European Union transporting animals to Dublin Airport by air must inform the Irish veterinary authorities of their arrival at least 24 hours in advance. Arrival times for animals from non-EU countries must be between 07:00 and 21:00, 7 days a week. Boarding will only take place if the veterinary check is confirmed. Check the detailed information by country of origin on the Pet Travel Portal. 

Flights to the USA

As determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 1 August 2024 the transport of dogs to the United States of America will be subject to new rules due to the risk of rabies transmission (https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/).

These rules apply to all pet dogs (transported in the cabin and hold) and assistance dogs that will have to:

• be more than 6 months old
• have a Microchip
• Travel with a CDC Dog Import Form (Dog Import Form Receipt - Animal Importation Form 
  • Instructions for filling in the form can be found HERE.

Dogs with rabies vaccinations administered outside the United States and coming from high-risk countries, whose list can be found here (High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies | Importation | CDC), should only enter through airports approved by the CDC, which can be consulted HERE.

Note: On the day of travel, passengers should go to the check-in desk as early as possible to validate their documentation. Find the check-in opening times HERE.

Flights in transit/to South Africa

PETC/AVIH will not be accepted on flights to/in transit of South Africa unless manifested as Cargo - see TIMATIC.

Flights from/to Angola

For travel between Lisbon and Luanda, the transport of animals in the hold cannot be accepted. It is advised to contact the Cargo Department in advance.