Yes, backyard chickens are legal in Portugal, but compliance with municipal and veterinary regulations is mandatory. The 2026 Regulamento de Sanidade Animal (Animal Health Regulation) imposes strict biosecurity and registration requirements, particularly in urban and peri-urban zones. Failure to adhere risks fines or culling under Decreto-Lei n.º 203/2005.
Key Regulations for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Portugal
- Registration and Identification: All flocks must be registered with the Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (DGAV) via the Sistema de Informação da Sanidade Animal (SISA). Microchipping or leg bands are required for traceability, per Portaria n.º 129/2021.
- Biosecurity Measures: Coops must be rodent-proof, cleaned weekly, and located at least 5 meters from neighboring properties. The 2026 updates mandate disinfection protocols for visitors, aligning with EU Avian Influenza Prevention Zones.
- Zoning Restrictions: Municipal Planos Diretores Municipais (PDM) often prohibit chickens in residential zones within Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. Rural parishes permit up to 50 birds without permits, but larger flocks require Licença de Exploração Pecuária.
Urban dwellers must verify local Regulamentos Municipais before installation. The Associação Nacional de Suinicultores (ANS) provides 2026 compliance checklists, emphasizing mandatory veterinary inspections every 12 months. Non-compliance triggers DGAV enforcement actions, including flock destruction.