Is microchipping mandatory?
Yes. In Portugal, electronic identification by microchip (transponder) is mandatory for dogs, cats and ferrets, under Decree-Law No. 82/2019, of 27 June.
What is the deadline?
For animals born in Portugal after 25 October 2019, microchipping and registration must be completed within 120 days of birth (4 months). If the exact date of birth cannot be determined, the deadline runs until the loss of milk teeth.
Animals from breeders or rescue centres must be identified before leaving the premises, regardless of age.
What about cats born before 2019? Decree-Law No. 82/2019 introduced a transitional period of 36 months. All cats should have been identified and registered by 25 October 2022. If your cat still has no microchip, you are in breach of the law.
What is a microchip — and what it is not
The microchip is a passive transponder the size of a grain of rice, implanted under the skin. It has no GPS and does not allow real-time location tracking — a very common misconception.
The chip contains only a unique 15-digit numeric code. When read by a specific reader, this number allows the database to be consulted for the animal's and owner's details. All other data is stored in the database of the Sistema de Informação de Animais de Companhia (SIAC), not in the chip.
What is recorded in the SIAC database:
- Animal data (species, breed, date of birth, sex, colour)
- Owner details (name, address, contact)
- Neutering status
- Rabies vaccination
It is therefore essential to keep the data in SIAC up to date — if the animal gets lost and the contact details are outdated, the microchip serves no purpose.
Where is registration done — the SIAC
Registration is done in the SIAC (Sistema de Informação de Animais de Companhia), created in 2019 to replace and merge the former SIRA and SICAFE systems. It is the single mandatory database for dogs, cats and ferrets in Portugal.
After microchipping, the veterinarian registers the animal in SIAC immediately, in the owner's name.
Who can implant the microchip?
Only a veterinarian. It is not possible to implant a microchip at home or in pet shops — it is an exclusive veterinary medical procedure.
Costs and exemptions
The cost of microchipping varies by veterinary clinic. Registration in SIAC requires payment of a fee set by government regulation, updated annually.
First year exemption: Under Article 27 of Decree-Law No. 82/2019, the initial SIAC registration is valid as a licence for the first year. During this period, the owner is exempt from paying the parish council licence fee. From the second year onwards, the owner must go to the parish council with the Animal Companion Identification Document (DIAC) for annual licensing.
Exception: Dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs do not benefit from this exemption — they must obtain their first parish council licence within 30 days of SIAC registration.
Animals collected by Official Collection Centres (CRO) are exempt from the SIAC registration fee.
Change of ownership
When an animal changes owner, the SIAC must be updated within 15 days. This can be done in three ways:
- Online via the SIAC Titulares portal, with authentication by Digital Mobile Key or Citizen Card
- By form on the SIAC portal, with a signed ownership transfer document
- In person at a veterinary clinic or parish council
Animals coming from abroad
If the animal already has a microchip and is coming to live in Portugal, a new chip is not required — it only needs to be registered in SIAC. If the animal stays in Portugal for 120 days or more, registration is mandatory and must be done by an accredited veterinarian, based on the Animal Companion Passport (PAC) or health certificate.
Note on alphanumeric chips: Some countries use alphanumeric microchips. Not all readers in Portugal can read these codes, which may make it harder to recover the animal if lost. In these cases, a second chip in the standard numeric format is recommended. For registration of an alphanumeric chip in SIAC, contact SIAC support for assistance.
Frequently asked questions
Does the microchip have GPS? No. The microchip is passive — it only responds when a reader is placed next to the animal. It emits no signal, has no battery and does not allow remote location.
My animal is lost — does the microchip help? Yes, if whoever finds the animal takes it to a vet or kennel. The reader identifies the chip number and consults SIAC to contact the owner. That is why data must always be kept up to date.
What happens when the owner dies? Ownership must be transferred within 15 days. Whoever receives the animal by inheritance must register the new ownership at a veterinary clinic or parish council. In practice, a death certificate is usually required. Exact documents should be confirmed on the official SIAC portal.
Can I check my animal's data in SIAC? Yes, via the SIAC Titulares portal, with authentication by Digital Mobile Key or Citizen Card.
What is the DIAC? The Animal Companion Identification Document is the official document issued after SIAC registration. It must be presented at the parish council for annual licensing from the second year onwards.
What are the fines?
Failure to identify an animal is an administrative offence under Decree-Law No. 82/2019:
- Individuals: between €50 and €3,740
- Legal entities: up to €44,890
Summary
- Microchip mandatory for dogs, cats and ferrets
- Deadline: 120 days after birth
- Registration in SIAC (replaced SIRA and SICAFE)
- Only veterinarians can implant the microchip
- The chip has no GPS — contains only a 15-digit code
- Animal data is stored in SIAC, not in the chip
- First year: exempt from parish council fee (except dangerous dogs)
- Change of owner: 15 days to update SIAC
- Animal from abroad: no new chip needed, but must register in SIAC
- Alphanumeric chip: a second chip may be needed in Portugal
- Fine for non-compliance: up to €3,740 for individuals
Sources
- Decree-Law No. 82/2019, of 27 June — Diário da República
- DGAV — Animal Identification
- SIAC — Official Portal