TAP Air Portugal Pet Policy (2026): Comprehensive Guide To Flying With a Dog or Cat to Portugal (What Actually Works)

TAP Air Portugal pet policy rules in 2026 allow dogs and cats to fly in the cabin, in the hold as checked baggage, or as air cargo but strict weight limits, carrier requirements, route-specific rules, and enforcement practices make preparation essential, especially on USA–Portugal routes.

If you’re planning to fly with your dog or cat on TAP, understanding both the official policy and how it’s applied in real life can be the difference between a smooth journey and a last-minute denial at the airport.

This guide breaks down TAP’s official 2026 pet policy, how it’s enforced in practice, and the real-world pitfalls that cause last-minute denials so you can decide whether TAP is the right airline for your pet before you book.

For general requirements on travelling internationally with your dog or cat check out our International Pet Travel hub.

TAP Air Portugal Pet Policy (2026): The Big Picture

TAP accepts dogs and cats only as pets, and offers three transport options:

• In cabin (small pets only)
• In the hold as checked baggage
• As air cargo (for large pets or certain routes)

TAP is popular for pet travel to Europe because of:

• Its Lisbon hub
• Clear written policies
• The ability to move pets via cabin, hold, or cargo on many transatlantic routes

But there’s an important distinction many travelers miss:

Government rules decide whether your pet may enter a country
(microchip, rabies, health certificate, EU entry rules, CDC rules for dogs entering the US)

TAP’s airline policy decides how your pet may fly
(cabin vs hold vs cargo, weight limits, crate specs, breed restrictions, and fees)

You must satisfy both.

Flying With a Pet in the Cabin on TAP (Dogs & Cats)

Eligibility & Weight Limits

• Dogs and cats only
• Maximum combined weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg / 17 lb
• TAP weighs the pet and carrier together at the airport

This is one of the most common failure points. Being even slightly over can result in refusal.

Carrier Requirements (Strictly Enforced)

• Maximum size: 45 × 30 × 23 cm (18 × 12 × 9 in)
• Soft or rigid carrier, but it must fit fully under the seat
• Waterproof base, good ventilation, secure closure
• Pet must be able to stand up and turn around
• No bulkhead or exit row seating
• Pet must stay inside the carrier for the entire flight

On A321neo aircraft (common on TAP routes), under-seat space is tight. Soft, flexible carriers are far safer than rigid ones.

Cabin Pet Limits & Booking Reality

• TAP limits the number of cabin pets per flight
• Flights regularly reach pet capacity
• Even with confirmation, rebooking has occurred when quotas were exceeded

On long-haul flights:

• No cabin pets in Business Class
• Economy only for in-cabin pets on transatlantic routes

Pet transport must be requested at least 24 hours before departure, but earlier is strongly recommended.

Policy vs Reality (Cabin Pets)

In practice:

• Pets and carriers are weighed together
• Flights do fill up
• Airport enforcement can be stricter than call-centre guidance

If your pet is close to 8 kg, TAP is a higher-risk airline for cabin travel.

Our Real Experience Flying TAP With Dogs

I want to add some real-world context here because this isn’t just research for us.

My dogs and I have flown TAP Air Portugal multiple times on international routes, once with a dog in the cabin and once with a dog traveling as checked baggage in the hold.

Both experiences were smooth, professional, and exactly in line with TAP’s written policy.

What stood out most:

• Clear communication at check-in
• Careful enforcement of weight and carrier rules (no surprises)
• Calm, competent handling of pets at the airport
• A strong sense that pet safety actually matters to the airline

In both cases, everything worked because we:

• Stayed well within the stated weight limits
• Used fully compliant carriers and crates
• Booked pet space early
• Traveled on routes and aircraft that made sense for our dogs

That’s why, when TAP is the right fit for a pet, we genuinely like the airline and often recommend it especially for travel to and from Portugal.

At the same time, we’ve also seen where things can go wrong for other travelers when pets are close to weight limits, flying in extreme temperatures, or booked on aircraft with tighter constraints.

The difference isn’t luck.
It’s preparation.

And that’s exactly what this guide, and Paws Abroad, is designed to help with.

Pets Traveling in the Hold (Checked Baggage)

When a pet exceeds cabin limits, TAP may accept them in the hold but weight thresholds matter a lot in 2026.

Weight Limits (Critical for USA–Portugal)

Maximum combined weight (pet + crate):

• Up to 32 kg / 70 lb
  Flights to, from, or with a stopover in:
  • United States
  • Hungary
  • France
  • Netherlands
• Up to 45 kg / 99 lb
  All other routes

If your pet exceeds these limits, air cargo is mandatory.

Crate Requirements (IATA Rules)

• Rigid crate (hard plastic, fiberglass, or metal)
• Strong, secure door (no snap-lock only)
• No wheels
• Waterproof base
• Enough room to stand, turn, and lie down

Up to three puppies under 6 months (≤14 kg each) may share one crate only if they are littermates and space allows.

Temperature & Seasonal Risks

This is one of TAP’s gray areas.

• Many sources cite temperature limits around 10–19°C (50–66°F)
• Some TAP agents deny formal limits exist
• Local airport staff can still refuse pets on the day if conditions are deemed unsafe

In practice, temperature restrictions create de facto summer and winter embargoes at certain airports.

Early morning or late-evening departures reduce risk.

Check out our guide on Summer Pet Travel Restrictions for general information on summer heat embargoes for pet travel by airline.

Brachycephalic (Flat-Faced) Breed Ban in the Hold

TAP bans many flat-faced breeds from traveling in the hold, including:

Dogs:

• Bulldogs (all types)
• Pugs
• Boxers
• Boston Terriers
• Shih Tzus
• Chow Chows
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
• Shar Pei
• Lhasa Apso

Cats:

• Persian
• Himalayan
• Exotic
• Burmese
• Scottish Fold

Mixed breeds with brachycephalic traits may require veterinary documentation but approval is inconsistent.

TAP Air Cargo for Pets

When Cargo Is Required

• Pet + crate exceeds 32 kg (USA routes) or 45 kg (other routes)
• Certain destinations (e.g. Angola) require cargo
• Some high-risk or regulated breeds

Cargo pets are checked at the cargo terminal, usually 4+ hours before departure.

Costs & Logistics (What to Expect)

TAP does not publish public cargo pricing.

Industry estimates for similar European carriers suggest:

• €600–€2,000+ depending on size, weight, and route

Quotes must be obtained directly from TAP Cargo or a licensed freight forwarder.

TAP Pet Fees (2026)

In-Cabin Fees (One-Way, Per Segment)

• Domestic Portugal: €40 online / €45 airport
• Europe & nearby regions: €70 online / €75 airport
• Intercontinental (USA, Brazil): €150 online / €160 airport

Checked Baggage (Hold) Fees

Intercontinental routes (e.g. USA–Portugal):

• Up to 32 kg: €230
• 32–45 kg: €300

Cargo pricing is quoted separately.

Route-Specific Rules You Must Know

USA ↔ Portugal

• 32 kg max for pet + crate in the hold as checked baggage
• Over that = cargo
• Economy only for cabin pets
• Must comply with US CDC dog import rules on return

UK Routes

• TAP does not accept pets as regular pets into the UK
• Only recognized assistance dogs are allowed in cabin

Intra-Europe

• Generally more flexible
• Aircraft type matters (Embraer vs Airbus)
• Cabin space and pet caps vary by flight

Common Reasons Pets Are Denied on TAP (Even With Confirmation)

• Pet + carrier exceeds 8 kg for cabin
• Carrier doesn’t fit under the seat
• Crate is not IATA-compliant
• Flat-faced breed booked into the hold
• Missing or mismatched documentation
• Temperature or aircraft changes
• Cabin pet quota reached

This is where most pet parents get blindsided.

Is TAP a Good Airline for Flying With Pets in 2026?

TAP can work well if:

• Your pet is well under 8 kg and flexible on dates
• You’re flying Economy
• You have compliant equipment
• You plan with contingencies
• Your pet is able to fly as checked baggage

TAP is higher risk if:

• Your pet is close to weight limits
• Your pet is brachycephalic
• You’re flying in peak summer
• You can’t absorb a rebooking or cargo switch

How Paws Abroad Helps (And Why This Matters)

TAP’s written policy is only half the equation. What actually determines success is:

• Aircraft type
• Route
• Time of year
• Pet size + breed
• Enforcement patterns at specific airports

That’s exactly what Paws Abroad is built for.

With a Paws Abroad membership, you get:

• Route-specific airline rules (not generic summaries)
• Weight and carrier checks before you book
• Country entry requirements tied to your itinerary
• Clear guidance on when TAP is a good option and when it’s not

For routes like USA–Portugal, or pets near weight limits, this can save thousands in rebooking fees and weeks of stress.

For information on other airline pet policies, check out our Airline Pet Policy guide.