Carrying pets on CP trains

Under Article 9 of Decree-Law 58/2008 of 26 March, as amended by Decree-Law 35/2015 of 6 March:

  • Passengers can carry pets that are not dangerous, provided they are properly enclosed in an appropriate container that can be carried as hand luggage (1 per passenger);
  • Animals that are considered dangerous, in a poor state of health or hygiene, or those that, due to their odour, noise or other relevant reason, such as their size, may disturb passengers, are not allowed;
  • Passengers are responsible for the care and supervision of the animals they are travelling with, and are solely liable for any damage they cause.

Alfa Pendular / Intercidades / InterRegional / Regional / Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra urban trains

  • Transport is free of charge, as long as it is in an appropriate carrier that can be taken as hand luggage.

Celta

  • Transport is free of charge, as long as the animal does not exceed 10kg and is travelling in a carrier, with a device for storing and removing waste that is no larger than 60X35X35 cm and can be carried as hand luggage.

Pets must be muzzled, on a short leash and accompanied by an up-to-date vaccination certificate.
To ensure everyone's well-being and comfort, animals must not sit on the seats.
Owners must present the animal's up-to-date vaccination record when they buy their ticket, which must include the animal's Electronic Identification Code (chip) or the Pet Identification Document. No ticket can be issued If one of these documents is missing.
Foreign citizens from the European Union or Council of Europe member states (e.g. Switzerland) wishing to take their pets must present their passport, a Community document approved by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 of 28 June, which contains identification and all the health information necessary for the movement of animals.

  • Alfa Pendular and Intercidades: payment of the full ticket in the class in which the passenger is travelling. For return journeys, the amount payable is double that of the outward journey (only on sale at ticket offices);
  • Regional and InterRegional: half fare. For outward and return journeys, the price is double that of the one-way journey (sold exclusively at ticket offices);
  • Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra urban trains: free.

These animals are transported free of charge and do not need to be muzzled, under the terms of Decree-Law no. 74/2007 of 27 March.
Assistance dogs must not show signs of illness, aggression, lack of hygiene or any other abnormal characteristic likely to cause well-founded fears for the safety and physical integrity of people or animals, or behave in such a way as to disrupt the normal running of the place in question.
The same conditions apply to assistance dogs in training, provided they are accompanied by their trainer or foster family. Host families are those who receive assistance dogs during the phase of socialisation and adaptation of the animal to human coexistence and who are accredited as such.
Users of assistance dogs must present the following documentation:

  • Their own card and badge (placed on the animal in a clearly visible place) issued by the national or international assistance dog training establishment stating that they are accompanied by their trainer and the trainer's name;
  • Identification document for the trainer or foster family (ID or Citizen’s Card);
  • The animal's up-to-date vaccination record, which must include the animal's Electronic Identification Code (chip) or the Pet Identification Document);
  • Civil liability insurance for damage caused to third parties by assistance dogs.

The transport of dangerous and potentially dangerous animals is prohibited under the terms of Decree-Law no. 312/2003 of 17 December, as amended by Law no. 49/2007 of 31 August.
Dangerous animals are described as such on their vaccination bulletin.
Potentially dangerous animals are registered on the municipal licence.
According to the law in force (Ordinance 422/2004 of 24 April), the following breeds are considered potentially dangerous:

  • Fila Brasileiro;
  • Dogue Argentino;
  • Pit Bull Terrier;
  • Rottweiler;
  • American Staffordshire Terrier;
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier;
  • Tosa Inu.

Small pets can be carried if they fit in an appropriate carrier that can be transported as hand luggage (article 3, point c: ‘...resistant, washable, easily disinfected and watertight material, so as to avoid soiling the transport vehicle.’) and in an appropriate state of health and hygiene, as stipulated in Ordinance 968/2009.
Under no circumstances may pets sit on the seats (Ordinance 968/2009, article 2, point 3).
The owner is responsible for securing the animal's carrier during the journey.
Assistance dogs accompanying people with reduced mobility are transported free of charge and do not need to be muzzled, under the terms of Decree-Law no. 74/2007 of 27 March.