Legislation
Consult legislation for and about pets
Pet identification
The identification is mandatory for dogs, cats, and ferrets.
It involves marking the companion animal by implanting a transponder/microchip (or any other authorized system for the species in question) and registering it on the SIAC platform
DECRETO-LEI N.º 82/2019 - DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 121/2019, SÉRIE I DE 2019-06-27
This establishes the rules for companion animal identification and creates the Sistema de Informação de Animais de Companhia (SIAC). Its key points include:
- The mandatory identification and registration of dogs, cats, and ferrets;
- Defining the duties of owners and veterinary doctors.
The primary objectives are to combat animal abandonment, promote animal welfare, ensure public safety and health, and facilitate the recovery of lost animals.
It also provides for administrative offenses for non-compliance with the established obligations, with the application of fines and accessory sanctions.
REGULAMENTO (UE) N. ° 576/2013 DO PARLAMENTO EUROPEU E DO CONSELHO, DE 12 DE JUNHO DE 2013
Diploma establishing the sanitary rules applicable to the non-commercial movement of companion animals within Member States and to their entry into the territory of the European Union.
This regulation sets out the rules allowing citizens to travel with their companion animals (dogs, cats, ferrets, and other animals listed in Annex I) without compromising public health and animal health. These animals must be identified, vaccinated against rabies, and carry a passport, among other requirements.
REGULAMENTO (UE) 2016/429 DO PARLAMENTO EUROPEU E DO CONSELHO, DE 9 DE MARÇO DE 2016
The regulation is a fundamental legislative landmark known as the European Union's "Animal Health Law." Its primary objective is to establish a comprehensive and modernized legal framework for the prevention and control of transmissible animal diseases within the EU.
Owner change
Any transfer of ownership, whether free of charge or for consideration – buying and selling – of a companion animal must take into account specific legal procedures and requirements. These must be met by both breeders/sellers and buyers. The legislation aims to protect animal welfare and ensure the transparency of transactions.
Some of the obligations include the mandatory identification and registration of the animal in SIAC, compliance with requirements for sales advertisements, the delivery of mandatory documentation upon handover of the animal, and rules regarding sales locations, among others.
Non-compliance with these regulations can lead to fines and accessory sanctions, which vary according to the seriousness of the infraction.
LEI N.º 95/2017 - DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 162/2017, SÉRIE I DE 2017-08-23
This regulates the buying and selling of companion animals in commercial establishments and via the internet, as well as the gratuitous transfer of ownership. It also enacts the sixth amendment to Decreto-Lei no. 276/2001, of October 17.
This law reinforces measures for the control and protection of companion animals in Portugal. Its aim is to combat abandonment, illegal breeding, and illegal trade, while simultaneously promoting the responsibility of breeders and new owners. It provides for the application of administrative offenses and fines for non-compliance with the obligations set out in the law.
PORTARIA N.º 67/2018 - DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 47/2018, SÉRIE I DE 2018-03-07
This establishes the rules governing the buying and selling of companion animals, as well as the standards required for their commercial breeding activity, with a view to obtaining a registration number.
This administrative rule complements Lei no. 95/2017, of August 23.
DECRETO-LEI N.º 276/2001, DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 241/2001, SÉRIE I-A DE 2001-10-17
Decreto de Lei no. 276/2001, of October 17, establishes the legal norms intended to implement the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals in Portugal. Additionally, it defines a special regime for the keeping of potentially dangerous animals.
Legal Status of Companion Animals
Animals are living beings endowed with sentience and are subject to legal protection by virtue of their nature.
The legal protection of animals operates through the provisions of the Civil Code and special legislation.
The new legislation reflects a fundamental paradigm shift. It recognizes that animals are sentient beings, which gives them an intrinsic value and the need to be protected against abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This forms the ethical basis for their legal protection.
LEI N.º 8/2017 - DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 45/2017, SÉRIE I DE 2017-03-03
This establishes a legal status for animals, recognizing their nature as living beings endowed with sentience. To this end, it amends the Código Civil, approved by Decreto -Lei no. 47 344, of November 25, 1966; the Código de Processo Civil, approved by Lei no. 41/2013, of June 26; and the Código Penal, approved by Decreto-Lei no. 400/82, of September 23
Potentially Dangerous and Dangerous Animals
Owners of companion animals belonging to potentially dangerous breeds and dangerous animals are subject to specific obligations.
Potentially dangerous animals are dogs belonging to breeds (or cross-breeds) that, due to their characteristics of size, strength, and potential aggressiveness, can cause serious injury.
Dangerous animals are any animals (regardless of breed) that have bitten, attacked, or assaulted a person; have seriously injured or killed another animal; or have been declared dangerous by the competent authority (for example, after an incident).
LEI N.º 46/2013 - DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 127/2013, SÉRIE I DE 2013-07-04
This law has deepened and made more stringent the obligations for owners of dangerous and potentially dangerous animals. This includes, for example, more rigorous requirements for obtaining and renewing a license to own such animals. Both criminal and administrative penalties for non-compliance with the rules regarding the ownership of these animals have been reinforced. It also prohibited the commercialization and advertising of animals classified as dangerous.
DECRETO-LEI N.º 315/2009 - DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 210/2009, SÉRIE I DE 2009-10-2
O Decreto-Lei n.º 315/2009, de 29 de outubro, aprovou o regime jurídico da criação, reprodução e detenção de animais perigosos e potencialmente perigosos enquanto animais de companhia em Portugal.
É importante notar que este Decreto-Lei foi alterado e republicado posteriormente pela Lei n.º 46/2013, de 4 de julho.
Official Animal Collection Centers (CRO)
Legislation for the creation of a network of official animal collection centers and for the modernization of municipal veterinary services. This legislation also prohibits the culling of stray animals as a form of population control, prioritizing sterilization.
LEI N.º 27/2016 - DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 161/2016, SÉRIE I DE 2016-08-23
This approves measures for the creation of a network of official animal collection centers and establishes the prohibition of culling stray animals as a form of population control, prioritizing sterilization.
The law mandates the creation of a network of official animal collection centers, with the aim of building and modernizing these facilities. This seeks their overall improvement and promotes the responsible adoption of animals housed in these centers.
PORTARIA N.º 146/2017 - DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 81/2017, SÉRIE I DE 2017-04-26
This regulates the creation of an effective network of official companion animal collection centers, sets the rules governing the fate of animals housed in these centers, and establishes the standards for controlling stray animals.
Rabies Surveillance
The aforementioned legislative instruments establish certain measures based on the characteristics of vaccines. Considering the epidemiological evolution of rabies in Portugal and the technological advancements in the efficacy of available vaccines, these measures allow for a change in the prevention rules of the health strategy that have been in force until now.
PORTARIA N.º 264/2013 - DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 157/2013, SÉRIE I DE 2013-08-16
Aprova as normas técnicas de execução regulamentar do Programa Nacional de Luta e Vigilância Epidemiológica da Raiva Animal e Outras Zoonoses.
A portaria estabelece as diretrizes e normas técnicas para a implementação e execução deste programa. O objetivo principal é prevenir e controlar a raiva animal e outras doenças transmissíveis dos animais para os humanos (zoonoses).
Determina a obrigatoriedade da vacinação antirrábica para cães com mais de três meses de idade em todo o território nacional. A vacinação de gatos e outras espécies é facultativa ou para trânsito.
