So many of our clients bring their pets with them when relocating to Portugal. So not only is it a big adjustment for you, but also for your cat or dog. The process of finding a doctor, a favorite restaurant, or registering yourself locally will be similar for your pet! We wanted to put together a comprehensive post that is all about Pets in Portugal and hope it benefits all newly arrived pet owners!
Pets
Animals in Portugal are subject to legal protection. This means pets have judicial protection under the law against abuse and negligence, whereby owners found in acts of animal violence are punishable with fines or even imprisonment.
It also is established that pets in Portugal are allowed to accompany their owners into commercial establishments, which includes shops and restaurants as long as no sticker in the window/door explicitly says they do not allow pets. The law requires, however, that all pets must be secured with a short leash and not allowed to move around freely. Pet-friendly establishments are establishments that are prepared to receive pets.
Pets on public transport in Portugal
On the metro/subway in Portugal dogs need to either be in a container or on a short leash and be wearing a muzzle. No ticket is required. If taking a bus or tram, pets need to be in an appropriate carrier, which can be carried as “hand luggage”.
Pets at the Beach
During the summer, dogs are not allowed on concession beaches (beaches with flags) but they are allowed on beaches with no lifeguard and on all beaches during the winter season. Praia do Portinho da Areia do Norte in Peniche is the first dog beach in Portugal where dogs were allowed access all year-round.
Pets at the Beach
Portugal has various Parks of different sizes, and at many of them, there are sign boards with information including the rules for dogs. Also, it is common to find a pole with little plastic bags inside to throw away the poo so the park or road stays clean. Besides these large parks, there are in Portugal specific dog parks for them to make friends. These are some in the capital Lisbon area:
🐾 Dog Park Jardim Campo Grande (Alvalade)
🐾 Dog Park Jardim de São Bento (São Bento)
🐾 Dog Park Jardim Fernando Pessa (Areeiro)
Licences for Pets
If you live in an apartment in Portugal, you are only allowed to have three adult dogs and four adult cats in an apartment, both in rural and urban areas. However, you may not exceed an overall total of four pets. This can be increased if you get approval from the local authority vet and public health officer. But the main factor that determines the number of pets is the building rules.
In rural houses, you can keep up to six adult animals and possibly even more if the plot is large enough and standards of welfare for the animals are guaranteed. The owner is responsible for ensuring the well-being of the pet and for making sure it doesn’t disturb the neighbors, whether in an apartment or even on a farm in the countryside. Neighbors experiencing problems can contact the police (GNR or PSP). They can request that the owner stop the source of the noise or they will alert the council, who can issue you with a minimum fine of 500 euros.
Pet Sitter and Dog Walkers
Here you will be able to find an extensive list of sitters. Each pet sitter is verified by the website to build trust and reputation using an identification check, references, and even a criminal record check.
You can also find pet walkers here https://www.petbacker.com/s/dog-walking/lisbon–lisbon–portugal.
Veterinarians
It is always best to be prepared and know exactly where to take your best friend should an emergency ever arise.
Lisbon: https://unilocal.co.uk/c/portugal/lisbon/veterinarians
24-hour Emergency Pet Hospitals in Portugal
Lisboa: Hospital Veterinário São Bento na Rua de S. Bento 358-A.
Porto: Veterinary Hospital of the University of Porto in Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 132.
Faro: Go to the Veterinary Hospital of the Algarve in Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian 66.