Flying with animals

We carry your pets safely

TAP carries your pets in the cabin or in the hold, depending on the breed, size and weight, but always with maximum safety and comfort. Book in advance and make sure your pet can be carried on your next trip.
Restarting animal carriage in the hold on flights with stopovers
The carriage of animals in the hold on TAP flights with stopovers restarted on 5 August.
Find out more

Book a ticket for your pet

Our pet carriage service is subject:
  • to the space available on the aircraft.
  • to the class you are flying in and the type of aircraft.
  • to pets being allowed into the destination country.
  • to the kind of animal and the total weight of the animal and the container.

That is why it must be requested at the time of booking your trip, or before your flight, provided that it is at least 24 hours before departure.

To find out if it is possible to book a ticket for your pet on your flight, where it will be carried and the price, you must provide the following information when requesting this service:

Breed(s) and number of animals to be carried
Only dogs and cats can be carried in the cabin.

All other kinds of animals are carried in the hold. Each passenger can bring one container with one or more animals of the same species, depending on availability.
Sizes and types of container (LxWxH)
Tell us the kind of container your pet will be in and its length, width and height.

Only malleable containers are accepted in the cabin. If you have a rigid container, the animal has to travel in the hold.
The total weight to be carried (Container + animal)
The combined weight of the animal and the container will determine whether your best friend can travel with you in the cabin or the hold.

If the total weight is no more than 8kg, it can be carried in the cabin. Animals + containers over that weight are carried in the hold.
What do you need to fly with your pet?
Wherever you are flying to, you always have to bring the container you mentioned in the booking, which should be appropriate for the size of the animal, and enough food and water for the whole trip.
The health requirements and the mandatory documents you need depending on the origin and destination of your flight.

The following health requirements and documents are mandatory for all non-commercial movements of pets on flights between EU member states1, or some non-EU countries2 that are members of the European Union’s Pet Passport.

  • Microchip ID: The animal must have a microchip to identify it. 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: This has to be issued by a vet who is authorised by the competent authority of the country of origin and attests to the animal's identification and anti-rabies vaccination.
  • Valid anti-rabies vaccination: This must be given on or after the date the microchip was implanted.
  • Hold carriage consent form: This document is only needed if the animal has to be carried in the hold. Download here (PDF, 0.2 MB, EN) and bring it completed on the day of your flight.
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 and Sweden.
2Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and the Vatican City State.

Before flying outside EU1 member states with your pet, we suggest that you always check with your vet, or Portugal’s Direção Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária, about the requirements and documents needed for the non-commercial transport of pets, for the specific date and destination of your flight.

Here are some of the documents required for some of our most popular destinations:

Flights from/to the United Kingdom:

  • Pets are not allowed into the country. The United Kingdom only allows pets to leave the country by air. Entry is only allowed for Assistance Animals (SVAN) carried in the cabin.

Flights to Brazil:

  • Dogs and cats need an International Health Certificate to enter the country.  If your destination is Brazil, the EU pet passport is not valid to enter the country with your dog or cat. An IHC is required.
  • Import licence: Apart from dogs and cats, any other pet entering the country must have an Import Licence issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply.
  • Carrying birds to Guarulhos:  Birds should be transported to Guarulhos Airport (São Paulo) as cargo.
  • See the links below for further information about carrying animals by air to Brazil:

Flights from Brazil to the EU:

1Except Andorra, Switzerland, the Faeroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and the Vatican City State as they are members of the European Union Pet Passport.

Cabin or hold? See where your pet will travel

Pets are transported in the cabin or hold, depending on their species, size and weight. See the two forms of transport available, the prices and the conditions to be met in each of them:

Transport of pets in the cabin

Only dogs and cats in their own soft container with a total weight (animal/animals + container) of up to 8kg / 17lb can be carried in the cabin. The container should be stored under the seat, which is 40x33x17cm. All pets (with the exception of assistance dogs) that exceed this weight must be carried in the hold.

Carrying pets in the cabin is subject to the species, size and weight of the animal to be carried, as well as the availability of space on the aircraft and the acceptance of entry into the country of destination. If the journey involves more than one airline, confirmation of transport from all the companies involved is required.

Maximum weight total (animal + container): 8kg / 17lb
Size of the space for the container:  40x33x17cm

Cost of transporting animals in the cabin

Type of route Price
Domestic Flights (Portugal) 35 EUR / 45 USD / 58 CAD
 7.000 miles
Europe and Morocco 70 EUR / 88 USD / 112 CAD
14.000 miles 
Intercontinental Flights 150 EUR / 185 USD / 235 CAD
 30.000 miles
The prices shown above are per flight and are charged in the local currency according to the exchange rate in force.
The carriage of pets in the cabin must meet the following conditions to ensure the safety and welfare of passengers and animals:
  • Only dogs and cats can be transported in the cabin.
  • Each passenger may carry one flexible animal transport bag/carry case which may contain more than one animal of the same species.
  • Dogs and cats cannot be carried in Executive class on long haul flights (except assistance dogs on some of these flights).
  • The cabin container has to:
    • Be malleable.
    • Have enough space for the animal(s) to move.
    • Be waterproof (to retain the animal's fluids).
    • Be stored under the seat in front of you so as not to obstruct the passage in the cabin.
  • The animal:
    • Must be fully inside the carrier throughout the flight (includes head and tail).
    • Must be clean, healthy and not smell.
    • May not occupy a seat or move in the cabin.
    • May not threaten or disturb passengers.
    • If female, may not be pregnant.
TAP reserves the right to refuse to carry the pet in the cabin and to transfer it to the hold if it considers that all the necessary conditions for this type of transport have not been met.


Carriage of pets on flights with a stopover

If you are traveling with your pet on a flight with a layover, please note that:
  • Depending on the itinerary and the combined total weight (animal + transport bag), 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).
  • If the animal is to be transported both in the cabin and in the hold, you must ensure that the connection time (time between two flights) is at least 3 hours, to ensure that all necessary processes and procedures are completed.
  • If the animal travels in the cabin and moves to the hold on the second route, you must provide the transport box for the animal at the point of origin.
Miles&Go Pets – Earn miles from your 4-legged friend
    If you are a TAP Miles&Go client, you could earn up to 500 miles by flying on TAP with your pet.
Find out more
Do you have any other questions about the carriage of pets?
    Please read our FAQ.
View FAQ
The legal definition of a pet is any animal owned by a human being who cohabits with it for its company and entertainment and which is not covered by any legislation prohibiting its detention. Due to the scope of this concept, TAP reserves the right to refuse the transport of pets whenever it considers that the necessary conditions for their transport in the cabin or in the hold are not met.
This information only concerns the non-commercial movement of pets. If you need information regarding the import and export of animals, you should contact the respective embassies or consulates.