The identification of a companion animal is legally required for dogs, cats, and ferrets.

It essentially consists of electronic marking using a device that is implanted inside the companion animal (microchip/transponder) and its registration in SIAC.

A microchip/transponder is a device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under the animal’s skin (in the center of the left side of the neck) by a veterinarian. It is a safe, painless, and non-invasive method.

This device is assigned a unique 15-digit numeric code that allows the animal and its owner to be identified.

After the microchip is implanted, the veterinarian proceeds to register the animal's and the owner's data in SIAC.

This registration includes information such as the microchip number, animal data (species, breed, age, etc.), owner identification (name, taxpayer number, address, contact), and the identification of the veterinarian who performed the procedure.

Registration in SIAC is done only once, but it is mandatory to keep the data up to date.

After the companion animal is registered in SIAC, the veterinarian must print or digitally send the DIAC, which reproduces, in physical or digital form, the data contained in SIAC. This serves as the Identification Document for Companion Animals subject to mandatory registration in SIAC.

Registration is done only once and consists of a set of information compiled in SIAC, namely:

– details related to the transponder/microchip number;

– identifying characteristics of the animal (most relevant features and properties);

– identification of the animal's owner and their contact details;

– identification of the veterinarian who performed the marking of the animal and their contact details;

– other particularities or characteristics and official preventive health measures or relevant information that may have been associated with the animal.

After the companion animal is registered in SIAC, the veterinarian must print or send digitally the DIAC, which reproduces, in physical or digital format, the data contained in SIAC. This document constitutes the Identification Document for Companion Animals subject to mandatory registration in SIAC.

You should go to a Veterinary Care Center (CAMV) or a municipal veterinarian, bringing your animal with you, so that the veterinarian can check whether a transponder/microchip has already been implanted. If not, the veterinarian must implant the microchip and carry out the corresponding registration in SIAC.

After this procedure, you should receive the Companion Animal Identification Document (DIAC), either in physical form (paper) or digital format (sent to your email).

In the case of potentially dangerous dogs coming from abroad, the registration in SIAC must be carried out by the municipal veterinarian.

Please watch our video here.

All dogs, cats, and ferrets must be microchipped and registered in SIAC within 120 days of birth.

If it is not possible to determine the exact date of birth, for the purpose of calculating this deadline, identification must be carried out by the time the milk incisor teeth are lost.

The DIAC is the Companion Animal Identification Document that reproduces, in physical or digital form, the data contained in SIAC. It serves as the official identification document for companion animals subject to mandatory registration in this system.

This document must always accompany your animal. You can get it here.

All owners with a Digital Mobile Key or a card reader can access SIAC Owners and download the DIAC(s) for their animal(s). To login, click here.

Alternatively, you can do so by filling out the form available here .

If you do not know your animal’s microchip number, please contact SIAC services here .

The DIAC can be printed or sent by email. Printing is not mandatory, as the digital format is equally valid.

Important: Any changes to the information recorded in SIAC—such as a change of ownership, change of residence, or the animal’s place of housing, as well as any other mandatory updates—must be reported to the system, and an updated DIAC must be issued.

You can check whether a DIAC is valid here .

For any movement of the companion animal within national territory, the owner or temporary holder of the animal must always carry the corresponding DIAC or Companion Animal Passport.

You can check here if the animal is registered with SIAC.

Anyone who has possession of a companion animal that, due to its species, is not legally required to be microchipped and registered, may request a veterinarian to have the animal marked and registered in SIAC. From that moment on, the owner must ensure compliance with the rules set out in Decree-Law No. 82/2019 of June 27.

You should go to a Veterinary Care Center (CAMV) with your animal so that the veterinarian can read the microchip/transponder and check if the number is detected. If the number is successfully read, the animal must be registered in SIAC using that transponder/microchip number.

Afterward, you should receive the registration document for your animal in SIAC, the DIAC, either in physical form (paper) or in digital format (sent to your email).

After registering an animal, the owner must ensure that he/she notifies the SIAC Services of any changes to the animal's or owner's data. You must also request a new DIAC whenever the rabies vaccine is administered, as the Veterinarian is required to register it with the SIAC.

If you have an animal of a potentially dangerous breed or a dangerous animal, you must comply with your obligations, which you can check here .

If you are the owner of a canine, you must license the animal annually at the Parish Council of your census area.

Please note: the animal's registration with the SIAC is valid for one year, so for one year from the date of registration, it will be exempt from paying the aforementioned license. Once this period has ended, you must go to the Parish Council taking the DIAC with you. This situation only applies to pets and not to animals of potentially dangerous breeds or dangerous animals.

Dogs registered with SIAC are subject to annual licensing by the parish council of the census area of ​​their owner, and parishes may issue additional regulations for the procedure of issuing the license.
With the exception of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs, the initial registration with SIAC is valid as a license for one year from the date of registration.
Juntas de Freguesias must have access to SIAC and verify the animal's registration before licensing the animal.

In its current version, the possession of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs, as companion animals, requires a license issued by the parish council of the area where the holder resides, granted after proving the holder's suitability ( artigo 5.º, do Decreto-Lei n.º 315/2009, de 29 de outubro).

To obtain a license and its annual renewals, owners of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs must present the elements required by special law, and must obtain the first license within 30 days of registration with SIAC.

When issuing and renewing the license annually, the following documents must be presented:

• Health Bulletin or Pet Passport, with proof of the medical prophylaxis act declared mandatory for that year, proven by the respective official sticker or a certificate of exemption from the medical prophylaxis act issued by the veterinarian
• Proof of Electronic Identification (the parish council verifies the animal's registration and identification in the SIAC)
• Additional documentation [see which]
• Potentially dangerous dogs [see which] and dangerous dogs [ see which ]

It is mandatory to pass a training course for the control of dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs. Submitting an application for a training course, promoted by the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) or Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP), allows you to obtain a provisional license for 3 months.

The Junta de Freguesia must register the licensing date in the SIAC.

Failure to comply with the licensing obligation may constitute an administrative infraction.

Veterinarians with an active profile in SIAC must comply with the following obligations:

a) Before registering a pet, check whether the animal already has a transponder/microchip and, if it is not yet registered, register it with SIAC;

b) As part of the identification process, check that the transponder/microchip has been read, before and after it is applied;

c) Issue the Pet Passport (PAC) in accordance with articles 22 and 29 of Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pets, when requested by the owner of a pet;

d) Ensure that the Pet Identification Document (DIAC) is renewed and record any changes to the registration in the PAC or Health Bulletin whenever requested;

e) Issue from SIAC, whenever requested by the owner, a second copy or updated copy of DIAC;

f) Always report to DGAV any irregularities detected in the identification and registration of companion animals.

There is a 15-day deadline for the owner to inform SIAC whenever one of the following situations occurs:

– change of residence of the owner;

– change of accommodation of the animal.

How to update?

– access SIAC using a digital mobile key or a card reader. (This access will give you access to all your animals). Access is done by logging into SIAC TITULARES here .

– fill out the form available here . After filling out the form, a DIAC with the updated data is automatically sent.

The owner of a pet must:

a) Comply with animal welfare standards and ensure the hygiene, health and legal requirements applicable to the animal;

b) Present the animal for marking and registration (identification) or change of registration;

c) Request the issuance of the Pet Identification Document (DIAC);

d) Whenever necessary, ask the veterinarian to issue the Pet Passport (PAC);

e) Comply, within 10 days from the date of entry of the animal, with the provisions of article 5 of Decree-Law no. 315/2009, of October 29, in its current wording, in relation to dogs of a potentially dangerous breed that have been introduced into national territory for the purpose of breeding;

f) Request registration in the SIAC of companion animals introduced into national territory and that remain for a period equal to or greater than 120 days, upon presentation of the PAC or the respective health certificate; g) Whenever requested, provide the veterinarian, the competent authority or the inspection bodies with the DIAC, the PAC or the Health Bulletin.

Regardless of the reason for transferring an animal (adoption, transfer, sale, death of the owner, etc.), it is mandatory to report this transfer of ownership to SIAC.

The transfer of ownership is a duty of the owner registered with SIAC and must be completed within 15 days.

How do I transfer ownership?

• The transfer of ownership can be carried out through SIAC TITULARES using a digital mobile key or CPF reader. To transfer ownership in this way, it is not necessary to attach any type of documentation. All that is required is for both owners (current and new) to access SIAC TITULARES, for the current owner to transfer the animal to the new owner and for the new owner to accept the transfer of the animal. To access SIAC TITULARES, log in here .
• Fill out the form available here, attaching the transfer of ownership document and a scan of the identification documents of both parties involved (current and new owners).
• Alternatively, if this is not possible, the transfer of ownership can be done with the Veterinarian at the Parish Council, by filling out the transfer of ownership document.

Whenever a pet dies, it is necessary to notify the database.

In the event of a pet's death, there is a 15-day period for the owner to inform SIAC.

How to do it:

• All owners with a digital mobile key or card reader can access SIAC TITULARES and directly register the death of their animal(s). You can log in here .
• Or, you can register by filling out the form available here. This form requires subsequent confirmation from SIAC services. Once validated, proof of death registration is sent.

The disappearance of a pet is a distressing moment, but there are important procedures that you must follow so that your animal can be returned.

• Search for the animal: You must search for your animal in the area where it was lost.
• Open a lost animal case: If this is not enough, you must open a lost animal case by filling out this form or by accessing SIAC TITULARES or filling out this form. The law requires the owner of a pet to report its disappearance within 15 days. You can log in here .
• Share the announcement: This form can be shared on social media. We recommend that when filling out the form you add at least one photo of the animal. Through SIAC TITULARES you can also download a poster that you can share and post in the area where your animal was lost.
• Contact professionals in the area: You can contact the Veterinary Care Centers and the official Collection Center or Municipal Kennel/Cattery. Keep your data up to date: Make sure that your contact details associated with your pet's microchip at SIAC are correct and up to date. Many lost animals are recovered because the chip allows the owner to be identified. If you are unable to access SIAC TITULARES and update your data, you can do so using the form available here .

What to do when you find an animal:

• Reading the animal's microchip/transponder: Go to the nearest veterinary clinic or hospital to have the microchip read. Alternatively, you can contact the Official Animal Collection Center (CROA)/Kennel/Cattery in your area and/or the police authorities (PSP/GRN) who may also have readers or indicate the nearest location. Some animals have a medal with the microchip number and the SIAC contact information so that you can quickly contact the database.
• Identifying the Animal in the SIAC: The 15-digit number of the microchip will be read and entered into the SIAC, allowing you to check the contact information of the animal's owner. You should also check whether the animal has any lost animal files here.
• Contacting the owner: The person who consulted the database will contact the animal's owner with the data obtained from the SIAC.
• Report a found animal to SIAC: Even if the owner is not found immediately, the person who found the animal can, through the veterinarian or even by notifying SIAC, open a "found animal" file at SIAC. This allows the information to circulate and the owner, when reporting the loss, can be associated with the found animal. You can report it by filling out this form .

The term “potentially dangerous animal” means any animal that, due to its species characteristics, aggressive behavior, size or jaw power, can cause injury or death to people or other animals.

Namely, dogs belonging to breeds previously defined as potentially dangerous in a decree (Decree No. 422/2004) issued by the member of the Government responsible for agriculture, as well as first-generation crossbreeds of these breeds, crossbreeds of these breeds among themselves or crossbreeds of these breeds with other breeds, obtaining a typology similar to some of the breeds defined in that regulatory document.

Potentially Dangerous Dog Breeds – List

Attention: According to the Food and Veterinary Department, animals classified as American Bully are also considered to be Potentially Dangerous breeds, as they appear to have morphological characteristics that indicate crossbreeding with animals of the American Staffordshire and Pit Bull Terrier breeds.

What is a Dangerous Animal?

A “dangerous animal” is any animal that:

Has bitten, attacked or offended the body or health of a person;

Has seriously injured or killed another animal, outside the owner’s property;

Has been voluntarily declared by its owner, to the Parish Council of his/her area of ​​residence, as having an aggressive character and behavior;

Has been considered by the competent authority as a risk to the safety of people or other animals, due to its aggressive behavior or physiological specificity.

Please check it here .

Animals belonging to the breeds listed below, as well as first-generation crosses, crosses between these breeds or crosses with other breeds, resulting in a typology similar to any of the breeds mentioned, are considered animals of potentially dangerous breeds:

• Cão de Fila Brasileiro
• Dogue Argentino
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Rottweiler
• Staffordshire Terrier Americano
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• American Bully (Tipo)
• American Bully Pocket (Tipo)
• Tosa Inu

Please check it here.

Pet animals that are moved, without a commercial purpose, to another Member State of the European Union must comply with the identification conditions required by Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals, and must always be accompanied by a Pet Passport (CAP).

• To Açores and Madeira – Check it here
• To UE – Check it here
• Other countries – Check it here

• Cats and ferrets not vaccinated against rabies, of any age (in Brazil, rabies vaccination is not mandatory for these species), and dogs up to 3 months old – must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by a veterinary doctor, which ensures that the animal, on the date of the clinical examination, did not show signs of diseases specific to the species and that it was fit to travel to the destination.
• Dogs over 3 months old – must present a health card or passport with proof of valid rabies vaccination. Electronic identification is mandatory before this vaccination.

A Pet Passport is not mandatory.

Deworming against internal and external parasites is always advisable.

Pets of other species

As a general principle, the owner must have a health certificate issued by a veterinarian guaranteeing that the animal in question, on the date of the clinical examination, did not show signs of diseases specific to the species and that it was fit to travel to the destination – as, for example, in the case of passerine or psittaform birds, rabbits, hamsters and aquarium fish.

For other species, the interested party must request written authorization from the competent service, since, for health reasons or for the preservation of species and biodiversity, some species may be subject to their own restrictions, or even bans, in the case of entry into Madeira or the Azores – for example squirrels, turtles and tortoises, dwarf pigs, peacocks, among others.

The entry of Exotic Animals into the Azores requires an Opinion from the Regional Directorate of the Environment: Regional Legislative Decree No. 15/2012/A, of April 2.

The entry of Exotic Species into the Autonomous Region of Madeira requires an Opinion from the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation, IP-RAM (IFCN, IP-RAM) as the competent authority under the terms and for the purposes of Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014.

Regional Legislative Decree No. 17/2023/M, of April 11, which approves the legal regime applicable to the control, detention, introduction into nature and repopulation of exotic species in Madeira and ensures the implementation, in the regional legal system, of Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014, on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, rectified by Rectification Declaration No. 2/2023/M, of May 2.

For further information of a health nature, you can contact local services:

Madeira:

Direção de Serviços de Alimentação e Veterinária da Direção Regional de Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural

Tel. 291 145 465

e-mail: dsav.dra.sra@madeira.gov.pt

Açores:

Direção de Serviços de Veterinária da Direção Regional da Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural

Tel. 295 404 200/280

Fora da União Europeia (inclui o Reino Unido, exceto a Irlanda do Norte)

Na União Europeia

Pets entering the national territory of a Member State of the European Union or a third country must be registered with the SIAC, provided they remain in the national territory for a period of 120 days or more.

Pets in the above conditions must be registered with the SIAC by a veterinarian accredited by the SIAC.

In the case of potentially dangerous canines arriving from abroad, registration with the SIAC must be carried out by the municipal veterinarian.

An animal with an alphanumeric microchip can be registered in Portugal. In order to register the animal, the veterinarian must request assistance from the SIAC services.

Registration is only possible after the animal's number has been read and confirmed.

In the case of animals with an alphanumeric microchip that come to live in Portugal, it is recommended that a second microchip be applied, as not all microchip readers can read these microchips and, in the event of the animal being lost, it becomes difficult to return it to its owner. If you choose this option, you must register the animal twice, indicating in the observations that the animal has two microchips and their respective numbers.