DGAV

Published 4 November 2026, 21:42

DGAV — Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (the state food and veterinary service)

The body responsible for animal health, the safety of food and animal feed, and veterinary rules. Newcomers deal with it mainly because of pets: the vaccinations, tests and certificates a dog or cat needs to cross the border.

Where you come across it. Bringing pets into and out of the country, veterinary certificates, questions about food and feed.

In chat groups people write “DGVA”, with the letters swapped. The correct form is DGAV, from Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária.

Official website: dgav.pt

Guides

How to move to Portugal with a dog or cat The Asian hornet in Portugal: how to recognise it, what to do if you are stung and where to report a nest