The science here is simpler than it sounds. TAP Air
Portugal welcomes dogs in the cabin, and that changes everything about how you pack and prepare. Pixel taught me that a calm, well-booked traveler beats a scrambling one every time. Before you dream about Lisbon, get the cabin details right. This guide keeps the paperwork tidy and the decisions clear, so your dog boards without drama.
TAP Air Portugal's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How TAP Air Portugal handles your pet Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ Accepteddomestic animals such as dogs and cats or s ervice animals, such as seeing-eye and hearing dog transported in the passenger cabin. 2. verified 2026-08-28 Snub-nosed breeds list Bulldog Pug Boxer Boston Terrier Pekingese Lhasa Apso Chow Chow Cane Corso Brussels Griffon Japanese Chin Shar Pei Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mastiff Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold verified 2026-07-20 Minimum age 10 weeks …vaccination: Must be administered when the microchip is implanted or afterward; Exception: For pets aged 10 to 12 weeks traveling to Portugal (including the Portuguese Islands) or Spain, or when transported in the… verified 2026-08-28 Advance booking notice 24 hours 2 - Access Manage your Booking and add your pet's transport Up to 24 hours before your flight departure, enter your booking code and, on the extras selection page, select the… verified 2026-08-28 Advance booking required ✓ Yes2 Conditions of acceptance of SVAN or ESAN ESAN – Fully emotional support dog acceptance requirements must be checked with PROCEDURES * 48-hour advance notice 1 General Definitions Depending on the animal verified 2026-08-20 Booking method Book online Related: How to clear airport security with a pet Pet fee Domestic Flights Book online : 40 EUR / 48 USD / 61 CAD Pay at ticket counter : 45 EUR / 58 USD / 72 CAD Europe, Morocco, Tunisia, Israel… verified 2026-07-20 Banned destinations ✗ YesIf your flight destination is an EU Member State, you should consider the first general point above. *In flights departing from London Gatwick Airport (LGW), the carriage of pets as baggage, either in the cabin or in… verified 2026-08-04 Max per flight 5 commercial airport. Other Information Passengers can fly a maximum of five pets per flight. The pet fee can be paid in cash or with credit card verified 2026-08-28 Min age months 6 months …cabin or in the aircraft's hold) and assistance dogs, which must meet the following requirements: Be over 6 months old; Have a microchip; Travel with a CDC ( Dog Import Form Receipt ) verified 2026-07-14 Nursing allowed ✗ Nohealthy, and free of odors; Pets are not allowed to occupy a seat or move around the cabin; Throughout the flight, pets must remain fully inside their carrier (including their head and tail), and must not pose a threat… verified 2026-08-28 Advance notice hours 48 hours Reservations Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance of departure. verified 2026-07-20 Pregnant animals accepted ✗ Noitems be left inside the carrier; Pets must not be brachycephalic—that is, dogs or cats suffering from respiratory limitations due to their short, flat snouts, which pose a risk of death under the aircraft hold's… verified 2026-08-28 Max weight (pet + crate) 8 kg Transporting pets in the cabin Weight and size Maximum total weight: 8 kg / 17 lbs (pets + carrier). verified 2026-08-15 Crate must have/be water bowl, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier are used to being close to each other (animals weighing more than 14 kg must travel individually), or - Up to three animals (dogs and cats), aged 6 months or less and up to 14 kg each, as long as they are used to being… verified 2026-07-20 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedAnimals in hold are domestic animals such as dogs, cats, birds, etc. and other small warm - blooded animals transported as checked baggage in the aircraft hold. Note: Tap Air Portugal does not acce pt the transport in… verified 2026-08-18 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ Yesfor pets to change position and lie down comfortably; Pets must not wear any muzzle or leash, nor should these items be left inside the carrier; Pets must not be brachycephalic—that is, dogs or cats suffering from… verified 2026-08-28 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds list Bulldog Pug Boxer Boston Terrier Pekingese Lhasa Apso Chow Chow Cane Corso Brussels Griffon Japanese Chin Shar Pei Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mastiff Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Minimum age 10 weeks rry one carrier; The carrier can contain up to two animals of the same species; Pets must be at least 10 weeks old; Pets must be clean, healthy, and free of odors; Pets are not allowed to occupy Rules and… verified 2026-08-12 Hold: Advance booking notice 24 hours …dimensions up to 190cm x 75cm x 65cm, provided that TAP has been notified at the time of booking or at least 24 hours before flight. verified 2026-08-12 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesNote: Tap Air Portugal does not acce pt the transpo 2 Conditions of acceptance of SVAN or ESAN ESAN – Fully emotional support dog acceptance requirements must be checked with PROCEDURES * 48-hour advance not verified 2026-08-20 Hold: Min age months 6 months …cabin or in the aircraft's hold) and assistance dogs, which must meet the following requirements: Be over 6 months old; Have a microchip; Travel with a CDC ( Dog Import Form Receipt ) verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Nursing allowed ✗ Nohealthy, and free of odors; Pets are not allowed to occupy a seat or move around the cabin; Throughout the flight, pets must remain fully inside their carrier (including their head and tail), and must not pose a threat… verified 2026-08-28 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ Noitems be left inside the carrier; Pets must not be brachycephalic—that is, dogs or cats suffering from respiratory limitations due to their short, flat snouts, which pose a risk of death under the aircraft hold's… verified 2026-08-28 Hold: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier For pets in the hold, carriers need to be hard-sided and provided by the passenger. verified 2026-08-19 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedGeneral acceptance criteria The availability of our pet transportation service, whether in the cabin or in the aircraft's hold, is contingent upon: the pet's species, size and weight (only dogs and/or cats are allowed;… verified 2026-08-28 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ Yesfor pets to change position and lie down comfortably; Pets must not wear any muzzle or leash, nor should these items be left inside the carrier; Pets must not be brachycephalic—that is, dogs or cats suffering from… verified 2026-08-28 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds list Bulldog Pug Boxer Boston Terrier Pekingese Lhasa Apso Chow Chow Cane Corso Brussels Griffon Japanese Chin Shar Pei Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mastiff Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Minimum age 12 weeks …and is therefore subject to confirmation); Each carrier can contain: - An animal with a minimum age of 12 weeks (10 weeks in the case of the Azores, Madeira and Spain), up to 45 kg or up to 32 verified 2026-08-28 Cargo: Advance booking notice 24 hours …dimensions up to 190cm x 75cm x 65cm, provided that TAP has been notified at the time of booking or at least 24 hours before flight. verified 2026-08-13 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesBook this service in advance and ensure your safety on board. Close Important information All information on this page applies to flights operated by TAP Air Portugal. If your trip includes a connection with another… verified 2026-08-12 Cargo: Nursing allowed ✗ Nohealthy, and free of odors; Pets are not allowed to occupy a seat or move around the cabin; Throughout the flight, pets must remain fully inside their carrier (including their head and tail), and must not pose a threat… verified 2026-08-28 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ Noitems be left inside the carrier; Pets must not be brachycephalic—that is, dogs or cats suffering from respiratory limitations due to their short, flat snouts, which pose a risk of death under the aircraft hold's… verified 2026-08-28 Cargo: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg Transporting pets as cargo If the total weight exceeds 32 kg / 70 lbs on flights to, from, or with a stopover in the United States, Hungary, France or the… verified 2026-08-04 Cargo: Crate must have/be water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Water containers must be deep enough to prevent water loss; Pets must be able to stand up inside the carrier with their head fully raised, without touching the top; Carriers must be spacious enough for pets to change… verified 2026-08-10 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesPets cannot be transported in the cabin or the aircraft's hold (on direct routes or with stopovers), except for assistance pets , which are permitted in the cabin. Flights departing from the United Kingdom (except… verified 2026-07-30 Health certificate validity 10 days …for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), or the Scottish or Welsh governments, and is valid for 10 days after the date of issue. verified 2026-08-04 Microchip · Required ✓ YesPets identified by tattoos are only permitted if the tattoo was applied before July 3, 2007, and if written proof of it is provided; EU Pet Passport: Must be issued by a veterinarian authorized by the relevant authority… verified 2026-08-12 Import permit · Issuing authority local authorities. The permit application must be submitted electronically at least five days before the trip transport a dog with cropped (or partially cropped) ears to Ireland, you must have an import permit issued by local authorities. The permit application must be submitted electronically at least five days before the trip; In addition to this permit, the pet must be accompanied by a certificate issued verified 2026-08-28 Health certificate · Issuer a licensed veterinarian vaccination, regardless of their age, and dogs up to 3 months old: You must provide a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian stating that the pet showed no signs of species-specific diseases on the date of verified 2026-08-28 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesDogs over 3 months old: You must provide a health certificate or passport with proof of a valid anti-rabies vaccination. verified 2026-08-12 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesDogs over 3 months old: You must provide a health certificate or passport with proof of a valid anti-rabies vaccination. verified 2026-08-12 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 12 weeks herefore subject to confirmation); Each carrier can contain: - An animal with a minimum age of 12 weeks (10 weeks in the case of the Azores, Madeira and Spain), up to 45 kg or up to 3 Rules and requirements… verified 2026-06-04 Health certificate valid within days · Health certificate valid within days 10 days Forms Required A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel or EU Pet Passport, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country. verified 2026-07-20 Other rules Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedpose a threat to or disturb other passengers; Transporting pregnant pets is not allowed; Only one soft carrier is permitted, containing up to two pets of the same species; Only carriers with a flexible s Rules and… verified 2026-06-04 Minimum age 10 weeks contain up to two animals of the same species; Pets must be at least 10 weeks old; Pets must be clean, healthy, and free of odors; Pets are not allowed to occupy a seat or move… verified 2026-08-28 Dangerous breeds banned ✗ YesBreeds not allowed in the aircraft's hold Dogs: Affenpinscher Boston Terrier Boxer Bulldog (all types) American Bully Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chihuahua Japanese Chin / Japanese Chin Chow Chow Griffon Bruxellois… verified 2026-07-29 Restricted breeds list American Staffordshire Terrier …(all types) / Cane Corso Pekingese Pug (all types) Shar Pei / Chinese Shar Pei Shih Tzu Tibetan Spaniel American Staffordshire Terrier / ”Amstaff” Staffordshire Bull Terrier / ”Staffys” English Toy Spaniel / King Charles Spaniel Cats: Burmese… verified 2026-07-20 Breed restrictions apply ✗ YesBreeds not allowed in the aircraft's hold Dogs: Affenpinscher Boston Terrier Boxer Bulldog (all types) American Bully Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chihuahua Japanese Chin / Japanese Chin Chow Chow Griffon Bruxellois… verified 2026-08-04 Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoMandatory conditions Cabin transportation prices Mandatory conditions Each passenger can only carry one carrier; The carrier can contain up to two animals of the same species; Pets must be at least 10 weeks old; Pets… verified 2026-08-12 Assistance animals accepted ✓ YesService Fees charges on other currencies should be converted at the BBR – Bank Buying Rate BAGGAGE AND SERVICE FEES Revised: Changes/Updates effectiveness AUG2019 23 4.2 Animals 4.2.1 General Definitions verified 2026-08-10 Emotional support animals allowed ✗ NoBookings for the transport of emotional support animals, used for therapeutic purposes and without the need for any training beyond the basics, are not permitted. verified 2026-08-13 Service & assistance animals Esa note Emotional support animals are welcome Emotional support animals are welcome in the cabin on most flights if they weigh under 17lbs (8kg). verified 2026-08-19 Fee waived ✓ YesService animals | TAP Air Portugal Skip to main content Traveling with service animals Take your service dog with you on board with no additional cost verified 2026-08-13 Recognized ✓ YesHowever, animals (including “service animals” (SVAN) are permitted for transportation out of the United Kingdom. verified 2026-08-18 Cabin allowed ✓ YesHowever, animals (including “service animals” (SVAN) are permitted for transportation out of the United Kingdom. verified 2026-08-18 Esa recognized ✓ YesEmotional support animals are welcome in the cabin on most flights if they weigh under 17lbs (8kg) verified 2026-07-20 Forms required ✓ YesHowever, at the time of booking, the following forms must be filled in and submitted: US Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form (PDF, 0.1 MB, EN) (for passengers wishing to travel with a… verified 2026-08-13 Advance notice hours 24 hours You must inform Ireland's veterinary authorities of the pet's arrival at least 24 hours in advance. verified 2026-08-16 Documentation required ✓ YesDocumentation proving that dog has been officially trained and certified must be p resented at check- in. verified 2026-08-12 Recognized organizations Assistance Dogs International In compliance with Decree-Law No.74/2007, of March 27th, TAP Air Portugal recognizes the certification issued by the following entities or entities recognized by them: International Assistance Dogs International ;… verified 2026-08-28 In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedWe transport your pet, whether in the cabin or in the aircraft's hold. verified 2026-08-14 Minimum age 10 weeks …vaccination: Must be administered when the microchip is implanted or afterward; Exception: For pets aged 10 to 12 weeks traveling to Portugal (including the Portuguese Islands) or Spain, or when transported in the… verified 2026-08-15 Advance booking notice 24 hours 2 - Access Manage your Booking and add your pet's transport Up to 24 hours before your flight departure, enter your booking code and, on the extras selection page, select the "pet" option. verified 2026-08-15 Advance booking required ✓ YesWhenever booking passenger on direct con nection flights, wi thin 24hrs interval, pet must be booked as -AVIH- for such flights, if at least one of aircraft type involved is wide-body verified 2026-08-28 Booking method Website …informações sobre o transporte de animais por via aérea para o Brasil, consulte: Guia do Passageiro 2014 ; Website do Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária do Brasil . verified 2026-08-19 Min age months 6 months …cabin or in the aircraft's hold) and assistance dogs, which must meet the following requirements: Be over 6 months old; Have a microchip; Travel with a CDC ( Dog Import Form Receipt ) verified 2026-07-14 Nursing allowed ✗ Nohealthy, and free of odors; Pets are not allowed to occupy a seat or move around the cabin; Throughout the flight, pets must remain fully inside their carrier (including their head and tail), and must not pose a threat… verified 2026-08-28 Advance notice hours 48 hours Reservations Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance of departure. verified 2026-07-20 Pregnant animals accepted ✗ Noitems be left inside the carrier; Pets must not be brachycephalic—that is, dogs or cats suffering from respiratory limitations due to their short, flat snouts, which pose a risk of death under the aircraft hold's… verified 2026-08-28 Max weight (pet + crate) 8 kg Transporting pets in the cabin Weight and size Maximum total weight: 8 kg / 17 lbs (pets + carrier). verified 2026-08-15 Crate must have/be water bowl, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier are used to being close to each other (animals weighing more than 14 kg must travel individually), or - Up to three animals (dogs and cats), aged 6 months or less and up to 14 kg each, as long as they are used to being… verified 2026-07-20 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedAnimals in hold are domestic animals such as dogs, cats, birds, etc. and other small warm - blooded animals transported as checked baggage in the aircraft hold. Note: Tap Air Portugal does not acce pt the transport in… verified 2026-08-18 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ Yesfor pets to change position and lie down comfortably; Pets must not wear any muzzle or leash, nor should these items be left inside the carrier; Pets must not be brachycephalic—that is, dogs or cats suffering from… verified 2026-08-28 Hold: Advance booking notice 24 hours …dimensions up to 190cm x 75cm x 65cm, provided that TAP has been notified at the time of booking or at least 24 hours before flight. verified 2026-08-13 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ Yeschevron_right Accessing Manage your Booking 3 - Use your miles to complete the booking of your transport On the extras selection page or on the payment page, select the option “use miles to pay for your extras”. 1 -… verified 2026-08-28 Hold: Min age months 6 months …cabin or in the aircraft's hold) and assistance dogs, which must meet the following requirements: Be over 6 months old; Have a microchip; Travel with a CDC ( Dog Import Form Receipt ) verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Nursing allowed ✗ Nohealthy, and free of odors; Pets are not allowed to occupy a seat or move around the cabin; Throughout the flight, pets must remain fully inside their carrier (including their head and tail), and must not pose a threat… verified 2026-08-28 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoMandatory conditions Cabin transportation prices Mandatory conditions Each passenger can only carry one carrier; The carrier can contain up to two animals of the same species; Pets must be at least 10 weeks old; Pets… verified 2026-08-04 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg Transporting pets in the aircraft's hold Maximum total weight Up to 32 kg / 70 lbs on flights to, from, or with a stopover in the US, Hungary, France and the Netherlands, or up to… verified 2026-08-04 Hold: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, a carrier For pets in the hold, carriers need to be hard-sided and provided by the passenger. verified 2026-08-19 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedGeneral acceptance criteria The availability of our pet transportation service, whether in the cabin or in the aircraft's hold, is contingent upon: the pet's species, size and weight (only dogs and/or cats are allowed;… verified 2026-08-28 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ Yesfor pets to change position and lie down comfortably; Pets must not wear any muzzle or leash, nor should these items be left inside the carrier; Pets must not be brachycephalic—that is, dogs or cats suffering from… verified 2026-08-28 Cargo: Minimum age 10 weeks …vaccination: Must be administered when the microchip is implanted or afterward; Exception: For pets aged 10 to 12 weeks traveling to Portugal (including the Portuguese Islands) or Spain, or when transported in the… verified 2026-08-16 Cargo: Advance booking notice 24 hours Contact TAP Book our pet transportation service This service must be requested at least 24 hours before the flight , as it requires booking specific seats on our planes. verified 2026-08-06 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ Yeschevron_right Accessing Manage your Booking 3 - Use your miles to complete the booking of your transport On the extras selection page or on the payment page, select the option “use miles to pay for your extras”. 1 -… verified 2026-08-28 Cargo: Nursing allowed ✗ Nohealthy, and free of odors; Pets are not allowed to occupy a seat or move around the cabin; Throughout the flight, pets must remain fully inside their carrier (including their head and tail), and must not pose a threat… verified 2026-08-28 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ Noitems be left inside the carrier; Pets must not be brachycephalic—that is, dogs or cats suffering from respiratory limitations due to their short, flat snouts, which pose a risk of death under the aircraft hold's… verified 2026-08-28 Cargo: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg Transporting pets as cargo If the total weight exceeds 32 kg / 70 lbs on flights to, from, or with a stopover in the United States, Hungary, France or the… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Crate must have/be water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Water containers must be deep enough to prevent water loss; Pets must be able to stand up inside the carrier with their head fully raised, without touching the top; Carriers must be spacious enough for pets to change… verified 2026-08-28 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesFlights from Brazil to the EU: International Veterinary Certificates (IVCs): Issuance for the European Union, Norway and Switzerland is carried out online 2 ; For more information, please visit the Brazilian Ministry of… verified 2026-07-30 Health certificate validity 10 days …regarding flights from non-EU Member States: The Health Certificate for entry into the EU is valid for 10 days until the date of checks upon arrival, and for an additional four months for movement verified 2026-08-28 Health certificate · Validity days 10 days …regarding flights from non-EU Member States: The Health Certificate for entry into the EU is valid for 10 days until the date of checks upon arrival, and for an additional four months for movement verified 2026-08-28 Other rules Minimum age 10 weeks contain up to two animals of the same species; Pets must be at least 10 weeks old; Pets must be clean, healthy, and free of odors; Pets are not allowed to occupy a seat or move… verified 2026-08-28 TAP's pet transportation service must be requested at least 24 hours before the flight. That window exists because specific seats get reserved on the aircraft for pets. Call TAP to book the pet slot the moment your ticket is confirmed. Do not wait for airport check-in. Confirm the 24-hour booking in writing and keep the reference number with your travel documents.
TAP does not accept brachycephalic dogs, the short-nosed breeds that struggle to breathe under travel stress. Check whether your dog's breed falls into this category before booking any TAP flight. Confirm breed status directly with TAP when you request the pet service. A brachycephalic dog will be refused, so arrange an alternative carrier or route in advance rather than at the gate.
Every dog and every route carries its own quirks, and TAP's cabin option is only the starting point. Pull the exact rules for your dog's breed, weight, and destination into one place before you buy tickets. Build your personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder and let it map the microchip, booking, and breed checks to your real trip. Then pack with confidence, not guesswork.
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
