Ireland Pet Import Requirements

What is a pet passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Ireland pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering this country from non-EU countries. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter the Republic of Ireland will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and one of the following:

• An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU or Northern Ireland pets)
• An EU Health Certificate (non-EU-resident pets)
• A government-issued Pet Passport from a part 1 listed third country (see EU COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS)
• An Animal Health Certificate when entering Ireland from the United Kingdom (UK-residents)

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO IRELAND below.

Pets in Ireland

Ireland is a pet-friendly nation with robust infrastructure, comprehensive regulations, and a supportive community for pet owners. The most common pets in Ireland are dogs and cats, followed by birds, hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs. Ireland has a high standard of veterinary care, with many clinics and hospitals available.

Pet owners are encouraged to ensure their animals are well-cared for and adhere to legal requirements regarding pet microchipping and vaccination. Ireland has strict regulations for bringing pets into the country to prevent the introduction of diseases like rabies.

Pet-Friendly Airlines Flying to Ireland

Commercial airlines which serve pets flying to Dublin: Aegean, Aer Lingus, airBaltic, Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Egyptair, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Iberia Express, Icelandair (cargo), KLM, Lufthasa, Norwegian, Pegasus, Qatar, Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TUI Airways, Turkish Airlines and Vueling.

Flights to Ireland should be direct or transit through a listed third country or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required attesting that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Ireland

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Ireland if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

Ireland Pet Import Requirements

NEWS: The EU has modified its regulations as of April 2026 with important changes to non-commercial transport (step 2). This page includes new regulations.

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Ireland must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-8 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: EU Country Classifications

The European Union (EU) does not recognize any countries as rabies-free. Dogs, cats, and ferrets from all countries are subject to current rabies vaccination according to their regulations. The EU classifies countries as either:

• EU Member States and territories
• part 1 listed third countries
• part 2 listed third countries
• unlisted countries

The requirements to import a dog, cat, or ferret to Ireland will depend on the classification of your country of origin and whether your pet has entered an unlisted country within the past 4 months. Click on the links above to find your origination country’s classification.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their country of origin before reviewing import regulations for Ireland.

Step 2: Type of Transport

The European Union classifies the movement of pets as non-commercial or commercial. These pet import requirements apply to both non-commercial and commercial transports. Review the conditions below to determine whether your pet’s transport will be classified as non-commercial or commercial as the requirements for each type of transport are different.

Conditions for Non-Commercial Transport

• All pets must enter Ireland with their owner*. Proof of travel will be required AND
• The transport applies to no more than five pets** unless proof of participation in a competition or show is available, and pets are over six months of age AND
• The owner must attest that the purpose of the transport must not be for adoption, sale, or exchange of ownership via a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport.

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations; however, the owner must still travel to the same destination no more than 5 days before their pet travels. (New regulation)

**If entering the EU by ground, a maximum of 5 pets per vehicle can travel under non-commercial regulations. (New regulation)

Unless all of the above conditions are satisfied, your pet must travel under commercial regulations.

Conditions for Commercial Transport

• The owner or a designated representative is not traveling with the pet OR
• The transport is greater than five pets under one owner’s passport/vehicle OR
• The purpose of the transport involves any change of ownership, adoption or commercial sale.

If any of the above conditions are met, then your pet must travel under commercial regulations. The importer must be registered in the origin country and have proof of the organization they represent. They also must have proof that this business or organization will be responsible for the import of the pet. The exporter must provide proof that they are registered in the exporting country.

Step 3: Pet Microchip

Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database.

The third step to import your pet to Ireland is to have it identified by a 15-digit pet microchip which is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785. All documentation must reflect the microchip number. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s microchip.

A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturers or government database in your country.

Note: By 1 January 2028, all pet microchips must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant. As there is no guarantee that border inspection officials will have a universal scanner available, it is advised to consider updating your pet’s microchip if you are a frequent traveler. (New regulation)

A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification under the following conditions:

• It was applied prior to July 3, 2011, and
• The tattoo is clearly visible, and
• Your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied, and
• All rabies vaccinations after the tattoo was applied were kept current. (No rabies vaccinations were allowed to expire before boosters were administered.)

It is anticipated that after 2026 every dog or cat kept for sale, adoption or cross-border movement within or into the EU will need to be registered in an approved database, with the microchip number acting as the primary identifier. EU Member States without current databases will be setting those up for this purpose. It is important to ensure that your pet’s identity and contact details are correctly recorded before departure.

Step 4: Vaccinations

All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering Ireland must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted.

If entering Ireland from another EU Member State, part 1 or part 2 listed country, your pet must wait at least 21 days after primary rabies vaccination* to travel. Note that every manufacturer of rabies vaccines has specifications on when immunity is reached, and your veterinarian should inform you of the wait time for your pet’s specific vaccine.

*The primary vaccination is one of the following:

• Your pet was microchipped at the time of its previous rabies vaccination; however, the previous rabies vaccination had expired when the current vaccination was administered.
• The first vaccination your pet has received after a microchip was implanted.

If entering Ireland from an unlisted country, pets must wait for 30 days to have a licensed veterinarian administer a rabies titer test (next step). In either case, do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time. *(30 days for Nobivac vaccine)

Other Vaccinations

Pet owners should always consider healthy vaccinations against diseases such as:

• canine distemper (also for ferrets)
• canine hepatitis
• canine leptospirosis
• canine parvovirus
• feline viral rhinotracheitis
• feline panleukopenia
• feline leukemia
• feline calicivirus

Exception: Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper when being transported commercially.

Step 5: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test, also known as a serology test, must be administered to pets entering Ireland from unlisted countries only. The test should be administered no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination is administered. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit.

This test measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. There are several kinds of rabies titer tests, although the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) is preferred.

The test must be administered by a licensed veterinarian, and the blood sample must be sent to an approved laboratory for processing.

The titer test must be administered more than 90 days prior to the date on the EU Health Certificate (step 8). (New regulation)

Rabies titer test results will not be accepted as a substitute for proof of current rabies vaccination.

It is worth noting that some EU Member States require that serology levels be confirmed prior to leaving their country. It is always wise to have this test done prior to travel, if possible. The test is valid to enter any EU Member State for the life of your pet if rabies vaccinations never expire.

Step 6: Import Permit

Pet owners do not need an import permit when entering Ireland with a dog, cat, or ferret. Unaccompanied pets may need an import permit.

Step 7: Parasite Treatments

Pet owners should always protect their pets from internal and external parasites to protect them from foreign parasites. All dogs must be treated for internal parasites by a licensed veterinarian between one and five days of import with products approved in the origination country unless entering directly from Northern Ireland, Norway, Finland or Malta.

Step 8: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires an original health certificate in their pet import regulations, and Ireland is no exception. The EU Health Certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number. Your veterinarian must state that your pet is fit to travel and is not originating from an area that is under restrictions for rabies. Additionally, your veterinarian should attest that your pet is displaying no symptoms of any contagious diseases.

The type of health certificate required will depend on the type of transport the pet is traveling under – non-commercial or commercial. Both certificates must be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Your pet must enter the EU Member State within 10 days of endorsement (non-commercial) and depart the country of origin within 48 hours of endorsement (commercial). (New regulation)

Non-Commercial Transport to Ireland from an EU Member State or Part 1 Listed Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply unless your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel. Step 7 applies unless your pet enters Malta directly from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Finland.

EU-Resident Pets: Have your veterinarian issue and update an EU Pet Passport or a government-issued Pet Passport (part 1 listed third countries) for your pet. A health check prior to travel is recommended and may be required by your air carrier.

An EU Health Certificate is not required for pets traveling to Ireland with a current EU Pet Passport.

Non-Resident Pets (visitors): If your pet has not lived in an EU Member State or part 1 listed country for six months or you do not have a permanent address in an EU Member State, then your pet will need a non-commercial EU Health Certificate. (New regulation)

Non-Commercial Transport to Ireland from a Part 2 Listed or Unlisted Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 applies under the following conditions:

• Your pet is originating from an unlisted country or
• Your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel.

Step 7 applies unless your pet enters Ireland directly from Malta, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Finland.

A licensed veterinarian must issue a non-commercial health certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals. The certificate is valid for 10 days from endorsement to the day your pet arrives at the border inspection post. (New regulation)

The EU Health Certificate for Germany is good for transports of five or fewer dogs, cats, or ferrets. The form is good for six months of travel within the EU if the rabies vaccination documented on the certificate does not expire during that time. (New regulation)

Note: Resident UK pet owners traveling from the UK to any EU Member State under non-commercial regulations (see step 2) should not use an EU Pet Passport and instead obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) according to the Animal and Plant Agency. The validity of the AHC has been extended to six months.

Commercial Transport to Ireland from an EU Member State

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply. Step 7 applies unless your pet enters Ireland directly from Malta, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Finland.

Your pet must travel from a licensed premise which is registered with the governing authority in your EU Member State
responsible for the import and export of animals. Your veterinarian must obtain and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet. Your pet must be inspected, and an intra-trade health certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of entry.

The transport must be recorded in the TRACES system by an agent ahead of travel. This system tracks the import, export, and intra-trade of all live animals entering or leaving the European Union.

Commercial Transport to Ireland from a Part 1 and 2 Listed Third Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply. Step 7 applies unless your pet enters Ireland directly from Malta, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Finland.

Your pet must be inspected, and a Commercial EU Health Certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES by an agent. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering, transiting or leaving the European Union. The transport must also be recorded in IPAFF if originating in Great Britain.

Commercial Transport to Ireland from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3, 4, and 5 apply. Step 7 applies unless your pet enters Ireland directly from Malta, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Finland.

Note: Pets can enter Ireland from unlisted countries under commercial regulations only from these countries.

Your pet must be inspected by a licensed veterinarian who will issue a commercial EU Health Certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering, transiting or leaving the European Union.

Other information

Importing Pets to Ireland from Malaysia and Australia

If your pet is entering Ireland from peninsular Malaysia, the following additional conditions must be met:

• Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.
• Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.
• Your pet has been tested with negative a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within ten days of export.

Cats may only enter Ireland from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Ireland

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter Ireland from any country. Although your puppy or kitten can be microchipped at 8 weeks of age, rabies vaccinations must not be administered prior to 12 weeks of age. There is a 21-day wait for puppies and kittens over 12 weeks of age arriving from EU Member States or part 1 or 2 listed third countries. The minimum age for entering Austria from an unlisted country is 7 months of age.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy

Breeds Banned from Import to Ireland

The following breeds of dogs or their crosses are not banned but are controlled while in Ireland, namely the American Pit Bull Terrier; English Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier; Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd (Alsatian,), Rhodesian Ridgeback; Rottweiler; Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa and to every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog).

The owner is responsible for their pet’s actions and are liable for injuries or attacks. In public places, they must be on a strong, short lead. The person holding your pet must be over 16 years old, and your dog must be muzzled. The court, if they deem the dog as dangerous, has the power to have your dog destroyed.

Entering Ireland with a Pet

All dogs, cats and ferrets entering Ireland from outside of the European Union by air must provide advance notice to the Department of Agriculture in Ireland. Accompanied pets entering by air from inside the EU can enter Ireland at any airport. All pets from outside the EU should enter Ireland at Cork Airport, Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Dublin Port and the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, or Rosslare Europort unless they meet the requirements of a service dog.

Pets entering Ireland by air can enter according to their airline’s pet policies (checked baggage or air cargo).

All live animals should enter Ireland directly or transit through an EU Member State, or part 1 or 2 listed third country if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. This statement must attest that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply, and layovers should accommodate possible customs clearance.

All commercial transports, whether by air or land must be preregistered in the TRACES database and the responsible transporter must be registered in this system.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Ireland. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

Exporting Resident Pets from Ireland

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Ireland for another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies (in that order) and wait for 21 days before leaving Ireland after primary vaccination. 

If your pet will visit, transit or enter an unlisted country, a veterinarian in Ireland should administer a rabies titer test before leaving Ireland if your pet will be returning. Even if your pet is not entering an unlisted country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your pet’s destination country.

Exporters of pets must contact the Regional Veterinary office well in advance of travel. All animals leaving Ireland for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate and regulations in accordance with the requirements of their destination country.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Ireland

All other pets entering Ireland can do so under non-commercial regulations if they are accompanied by their owner and number less than five per owner.

Other Animals

Pet rodent and rabbits, amphibia and reptiles entering Ireland from an EU Member State or part 1 listed third country must secure an import permit and advance notice of import must be provided. Amphibia and reptiles (except newts and salamanders) must have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of travel detailing species, identifying marks, origin of birth, and more specifics regarding your pet.

Pet rodent and rabbits, amphibia and reptiles entering Ireland from part 2 listed third country must adhere to the regulations when entering from an EU Member State as stated above. In addition, compliance checks must be arranged in advance of import so your pet can be inspected.

Birds

Pet birds (non-poultry or wild birds) entering Ireland from EU Member States must have an Owner Declaration and provide advance notice of import before arrival.

Pet birds (non-poultry or wild birds) entering Ireland from non-EU Member States will be subject to 30 days of quarantine in both the origination and destination countries. They must be accompanied by their owner, identified by a non-removable, legible individual marking displaying an alpha-numeric code (clip, ring, microchip, transponder, ear tag) which will be noted on all test results.

Birds must have, within the last six months and not later than 60 days prior to dispatch from the third country,

• have undergone official veterinary isolation for 30 days prior to export in the origination country (not all countries are eligible)
  OR
• have been in isolation for at least 14 days prior to export (territories and listed countries only) and have undergone an avian influenza H5 and H7 antigen or genome detection test carried out on a sample taken not earlier than the seventh day of isolation. The results of the test must be negative.

Clinical examinations by an official veterinarian must be performed within 48 hours of export. All birds entering Ireland must be accompanied with an endorsed health certificate indicating these conditions. Birds may not be exposed to any other birds prior to export. A compliance check must be arranged at customs clearance. Once entering the European Union, the bird must be in isolation for 30 days and not exposed to other birds.

Owners of all birds subject to CITES regulations will need to contact the agency in their country that is responsible for the protection of wildlife.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat and very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Read more about CITES

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Ireland?

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Please note that the accuracy of comments made below by users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.

Current information

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to:

• Make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense or
• Return your pet to the country of origin at your expense or
• Euthanize your pet.

We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Ireland pet import requirements.