Families Relocating Pets to Portugal on the Rise
CAPE CORAL, Fla., Aug. 25, 2026 — Starwood Pet Travel, an IATA-certified international pet relocation company, has announced a significant increase in requests to relocate pets to Portugal, making 2025 the busiest year to date. The rise in inquiries is attributed to several factors including remote work flexibility and growing residency programs in Portugal.
Key Highlights:
- Increase in Demand: Since 2016, over 3,100 requests have been received, with a notable increase from 454 inquiries in 2022 to 804 in 2025—a 77% surge in just three years.
- Safety Concerns: A survey of families highlighted that 46% were most concerned about their pets’ safety during transit, far exceeding other priorities such as cost and service transparency.
- Pet Demographics: Dogs comprised nearly 75% of relocations, with a growing number of families also bringing cats, and over 40% moving multiple pets.
Insights from Starwood Pet Travel
Brett Furlong, the CEO, emphasized the importance of pet safety during relocations, stating that families are increasingly treating pet relocation with the same importance as their own moves.
Laurie Lawson, a satisfied customer, highlighted the seamless logistics managed by Starwood, which complied with EU regulations.
Why Portugal?
The increasing popularity of Portugal among digital nomads and retirees, along with easier pet import regulations compared to other EU countries, has boosted interest in pet relocation services.
Starwood plans to further expand its resources related to pet imports, quarantine rules, and airline welfare standards to cater to this growing demand.
For More Information:
Those interested in relocating pets to Portugal can learn more about Starwood’s services and requirements at Starwood Pet Travel.
About Starwood Pet Travel
Starwood Pet Travel specializes in safely relocating pets globally, providing comprehensive services from documentation to logistics.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Georgiana Strait, Marketing Manager
[Email](mailto:[email protected])
573-337-8415
For updates, follow Starwood Pet Travel on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
