🐾 Bringing a Pet to Madeira: Passport, Vaccines and the Flight
Bringing a pet to Madeira is far easier than people fear, but the island plays by its own book. It is an EU region, so the rabies and microchip rules are the standard ones. The twist is that Madeira is also an Autonomous Region, which means even a dog flying in from Lisbon needs paperwork and a heads up to the local vet authority. Skip that step and your reunion at Funchal airport turns into a customs queue with a stressed animal in a box. Get it right and your dog is sniffing levadas by the afternoon. Here is exactly what to do, in order, whether you are flying from Porto or Portland.
Last updated: June 2026Bringing a pet to Madeira means an ISO microchip fitted first, a rabies vaccine given after week 12 with a 21 day wait before flying, and either an EU pet passport (from inside the EU) or an EU Animal Health Certificate valid 10 days (from outside the EU). You must notify the Funchal entry point at least 48 hours before arrival by email to dsav.dra.sra@madeira.gov.pt or phone 291 145 465. TAP carries cats and dogs up to 8kg in the cabin and up to 45kg in the hold.
Microchip first, then rabies, in that exact order
Your pet needs an ISO 11784 or 11785 compliant microchip implanted before anything else. The order matters. A vet must give the rabies vaccine only after the chip is in, and only from 12 weeks of age. A jab given before the chip, or before week 12, does not count and you start over.
Respect the 21 day wait
After the first rabies shot you must wait at least 21 days before your pet can travel. Count it on a calendar before you book flights. If your pet already had rabies cover, just make sure the booster was given before the previous one expired so protection is continuous, with no gap, and no extra wait.
Get the right document for your route
Flying in from another EU country or from mainland Portugal? Your pet needs an EU pet passport from an authorised vet, plus a health booklet showing the valid rabies jab. Coming from outside the EU, including the UK? You need an EU Animal Health Certificate issued by an official vet within 10 days of arrival. From the USA it must be the bilingual English and Portuguese version, endorsed by USDA APHIS.
Tell Funchal you are coming, 48 hours ahead
This is the Madeira specific step nobody warns you about. You must notify the regional veterinary service at the Funchal entry point at least 48 working hours before arrival. Email dsav.dra.sra@madeira.gov.pt or call 291 145 465 with your flight, microchip number and vaccine dates. This applies even on a flight from the Portuguese mainland.
Book the flight and the right carrier
On TAP, cats and dogs in a soft carrier up to 8kg total ride in the cabin, under the seat, max 45x30x23cm. Heavier pets up to 45kg travel in the hold. Request the spot at least 24 hours ahead, but book early, as Madeira flights have very few pet slots. Puppies must be at least 10 weeks old for the hold. Never sedate your pet for the hold.
Sort a local vet once you land
Register with a Funchal vet in your first weeks. They handle annual rabies boosters, the SIAC chip registry update to your new address, and the health certificate you will need if you ever fly back to the mainland. A good local vet is also your fastest route to pet insurance and emergency cover on the island.
Direção de Serviços de Alimentação e Veterinária (DSAV Madeira)
Avenida Arriaga, Funchal, Região Autónoma da Madeira, Portugal
🕒 Working days, business hours; notify at least 48 working hours before arrival
Need a trusted Madeira vet?
Landing soon with a furry passenger? Get matched with a vetted Funchal vet for the rabies booster, SIAC update and health checks, or read the full newcomer hub before you move.
Get a quote from a vetted Madeira vet Explore the Madeira newcomer hubFrequently asked questions
Do I need a pet passport to fly to Madeira from mainland Portugal?
If your pet is microchipped and has a valid health booklet with the rabies vaccine, that works for the mainland to Madeira route. The catch is the 48 hour arrival notice to the Funchal veterinary service, which you must send even on a domestic flight.
Is there quarantine for pets arriving in Madeira?
No. Madeira has no quarantine if your paperwork is in order. The microchip, valid rabies vaccine, the correct passport or health certificate and the advance arrival notice are what replace quarantine. Miss a document and your pet can be held or refused.
Can my dog fly in the cabin to Funchal?
Yes, if the dog plus its soft carrier weighs 8kg or less and fits a 45x30x23cm bag under the seat on TAP. Anything heavier goes in the hold, up to 45kg. Pet cabin and hold slots on Madeira flights are very limited, so book as early as you can.
How much does it cost to bring a pet to Madeira?
Budget for the microchip and rabies vaccine (roughly 30 to 80 euros at a vet), the EU pet passport (around 25 to 50 euros), and the airline pet fee, which on TAP runs from about 35 euros in the cabin up to several hundred for large dogs in the hold.
Who do I contact to bring my pet into Madeira?
The regional Food and Veterinary Services at the Funchal entry point. Email dsav.dra.sra@madeira.gov.pt or phone 291 145 465 at least 48 hours before arrival with your flight details, the microchip number and the rabies vaccine date.
Can I bring a pet to Madeira from the UK or USA after Brexit?
Yes, but you need an EU Animal Health Certificate from an official vet issued within 10 days of arrival, not a pet passport. From the USA it must be the bilingual version endorsed by USDA APHIS, and your pet must arrive within that 10 day window.