Portugal's seven 'potentially dangerous' breeds

Almost every summary of this subject says the list lives in Decreto-Lei 315/2009. Read the decree and it does not. Article 3(c) defines a potentially dangerous animal by its characteristics, then hands the naming of breeds to "portaria do membro do Governo responsável pela área da agricultura" — a separate ministerial order.

That order is Portaria 422/2004, de 24 de Abril, and the breeds sit in its annex. The decree is the framework; the portaria is the list. If you go looking in the decree you will not find them.

The same split applies to the money. Article 10 creates the insurance duty but sets no figure, delegating the amounts to a joint portaria of the finance and agriculture ministries.

Source: Decreto-Lei n.º 315/2009, de 29 de Outubro (DGAV), Arts. 3 and 10

From the official list published by DGAV, Portugal's veterinary authority:

• Cão de Fila Brasileiro
• Dogue Argentino
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Rottweiler
• Staffordshire Terrier Americano
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Tosa Inu

The classification reaches further than those seven names. It also covers "os cruzamentos de primeira geração, os cruzamentos destas entre si ou cruzamentos destas com outras raças, resultante numa tipologia semelhante" — first-generation crosses, crosses between the listed breeds, and crosses with other breeds that produce a similar type.

That last clause is the one that catches people. A rescue dog of no documented parentage can fall inside the definition on appearance alone, which makes it a question for your vet rather than for your paperwork.

Source: DGAV, Cães da categoria potencialmente perigoso (DL 315/2009 and the annex to Portaria 422/2004)

Article 10 is short and leaves no room: "O detentor de qualquer animal perigoso ou potencialmente perigoso fica obrigado a possuir um seguro de responsabilidade civil destinado a cobrir os danos causados por este" — the keeper of any dangerous or potentially dangerous animal must hold civil liability cover for the damage it causes.

The amounts and conditions are set separately, by Portaria 585/2004, de 29 de Maio. Figures quoted around the web vary, and we would rather send you to the portaria than repeat a number we have not confirmed against it.

This is animal liability cover — a different product from the health insurance we introduce, bought from a different market, and required of you regardless of what health cover you hold.

Licensing sits with your junta de freguesia, and sterilisation and containment duties also attach. DGAV is the authority to check against.

Source: Decreto-Lei n.º 315/2009, Art. 10, amended by Lei n.º 46/2013

To be clear about scope: we do not arrange pet transport, import permits or animal liability cover. We are an insurance introducer for international health and life cover for people.

What we can do is the human side of the same move — health cover that meets the rule your route sets out, cited and dated on the country hub. Pre-existing conditions are excluded and cover is governed by the Regency Assurance policy wording.