Northern Ireland Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

A pet passport is a collection of documents that are required for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering Northern Ireland from non-EU countries. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets (pets that have resided in the EU for four months or those with a permanent EU address). All Northern Ireland pet import requirements are explained in the steps below.

Pet Passport

Your pet’s passport to enter Northern Ireland will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and either:

• An EU Health Certificate (non-EU-resident pets)
• An official EU Pet Passport (resident-EU pets)
• An Animal Health Certificate (pets entering Northern Ireland from England, Scotland or Wales prior to June 2025)
• A pet travel document issued in Great Britain for resident pets (travel after June 2025)

Animals Eligible for These Import Regulations

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, 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 NORTHERN IRELAND below.

EU Pet Travel Scheme

Note: Although a member of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland remains under the legislation of the EU Pet Travel Scheme. All pet dogs, cats, and ferrets entering Northern Ireland must conform to EU legislation.

Exception: Currently, there are no regulations or requirements for pets traveling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland if Northern Ireland is their final destination. Pets cannot enter Ireland from Northern Ireland without meeting requirements as stated here. Additionally, there are no requirements for pets traveling from Northern Ireland to Great Britain aside from microchipping if the pet is at least 8 weeks of age according to the Windsor Agreement between Great Britain and the EU.

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 handles the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Northern Ireland

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Northern Ireland if the following import regulations 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. All costs will be borne by the importer.

Northern Ireland Pet Import Requirements

NEWS: The EU has modified its regulations as of April 2026 with important changes to non-commercial transport (step 2). The EU has granted a transition period until March 2027; however, some countries like Germany have already enforced these new regulations. All new regulations have been indicated as such on this page.

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

Step 1: Country Classifications

The European Union (EU) and Northern Ireland (NI) do 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 and NI 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 Northern Ireland will depend on the classification of the origination country, and whether your pet has entered an unlisted country within the past four months. Click on the links above to find your country classification.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their origination country before reviewing import regulations for Northern 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.

Non-Commercial versus Commercial Transport

Step 3: Pet Microchip

The second step to import a dog, cat, or ferret to Northern Ireland is to have your pet identified with a 15-digit pet microchip that meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse must implant the microchip. (New regulation) You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer’s or government’s 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 up-to-date. (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 Northern Ireland must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted.

If entering Northern Ireland from another EU Member State, part 1 or Part 2 listed third country, pets must wait 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.

If entering Northern 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.

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

These other vaccinations are always recommended when traveling internationally; however, proof of these vaccinations is not required when entering Northern Ireland.

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, measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It is administered by a licensed veterinarian, and the blood sample must be sent to an approved laboratory for processing.

A rabies titer test must be administered to pets entering Northern Ireland from an unlisted third country no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination is administered. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit.

The test must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories.

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 boosters are administered prior to the expiration of the previous rabies vaccination.

Step 6: Import Permit

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

Step 7: Parasite Treatments

Before your dog can enter Northern Ireland, it must be treated against tapeworms by a licensed veterinarian between one and five days prior to entering the country unless your pet is entering directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway. The treatment must be recorded on the health certificate (next step).

Step 8: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires current health certificates in their pet import regulations, and Northern Ireland is no exception. The EU Health Certificate must include pet owner information (New regulation) 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 displays 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 Northern Ireland from an EU Member State or Part 1 Listed Country

Steps 3, 4 and 6 apply. Step 5 does not apply unless your pet has entered an unlisted third country within four months of travel.

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.

Note: There will be additional requirements to return to a part 1 listed third country in addition to the EU Pet Passport. Find them here.

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 Northern Ireland from Great Britain

Although a member of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland has remained under the jurisdiction of the European Union in regard to the import and export of live animals according to the Windsor Agreement. The following changes have recently been approved.

Step 3 applies. Steps 4 and 5 apply only if your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel.

Effective June 4, 2025, pet owners who reside in Great Britain who are importing a dog, cat, or ferret to Northern Ireland can apply for a Pet Travel Document (PTD) that will suffice for import to Northern Ireland. Pet owners do not need to visit a veterinarian to apply for a PTD. It must be applied for online, is valid for the life of the pet, and can be used multiple times. There is no cost for the document.

Pets must be microchipped, and their owners must attest that they will not import their pet to Ireland during their stay in Northern Ireland. If this is the case, then an EU Health Certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in Northern Ireland is required.

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

Steps 3, 4, and 6 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.

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 traveler’s point of entry in Northern Ireland. (New regulation)

The EU Health Certificate for Germany is good for the transport 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)

Commercial Transport to Northern Ireland from an EU Member State

Steps 3, 4 and 6 apply. Step 5 does not apply.

Your pet must travel from a licensed premise that 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 Intratrade Pet 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 EU.

Commercial Transport to Northern Ireland from Great Britain

All pets traveling to Northern Ireland under commercial regulations must

• Originate in a registered premise located in Great Britain.
• Obtain an Export Health Certificate issued by an Official Veterinarian in Great Britain.
• Schedule an inspection of their pets within 48 hours of travel.
• Provide advance notification of transport to the appropriate Traveler’s Point of Entry at least 48 hours prior to arrival.
• Present the pets for inspection upon arrival at the animal inspection facility.

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

Steps 3, 4 and 6 apply. Step 5 does not apply unless your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel.

Your pet must be inspected, and a commercial EU Health Certificate must be issued and endorsed by a licensed veterinarian and 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 or leaving the EU.

Commercial Transport to Northern Ireland from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3, 4, 5 and 6 apply.

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

Your pet must be inspected, and a commercial EU Health Certificate must be issued and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES by an agent in Northern Ireland. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Step 8: Import Permit

An import permit is not required when importing a dog, cat, or ferret to Northern Ireland.

Other Information

Importing Dogs and Cats to Northern Ireland from Malaysia and Australia

If your pet is entering Northern 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 a negative 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 Northern 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 Northern Ireland

Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies until reaching 12 weeks of age. Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter Northern Ireland until they are vaccinated for rabies. Wait times will depend on the country classification of the origination country.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned for Import to Northern Ireland

The following breeds are not permitted to enter Northern Ireland:

• Brazilian Fila or
• Dogo Argentino or
• Japanese Tosa Inu or
• American Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier.

If you have a wolf hybrid or Savannah cat, then you must seek advice from the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency before you travel.

Entering Northern Ireland with a Pet

All live animals entering Northern Ireland from part 2 listed or unlisted countries must do so at an approved Traveler’s Point of Entry at Belfast Airport, Belfast City Airport, City of Derry Airport, Belfast Port or Larne Port.

If flying, pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?

Pets whose final destination is Northern Ireland must file an import application with the Department of Agriculture,
Environment and Rural Affairs at least 28 days prior to entry.

Noncompliance

Importers whose pets do not conform to regulations to enter Northern Ireland must do so under an Import Authorization issued by the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs. An Import Authorization must be completed at least 10 days before your pet enters Northern Ireland. You must also engage the services of an approved quarantine establishment to facilitate the checking of accompanying paperwork, as there are not facilities at the airport to do this. There is a charge for this service.

Routing

All live animals should enter Northern 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.

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

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

Exporting Resident Pets

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Northern 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. Resident pets must travel to another EU Member State with an official Northern Ireland Pet Passport.

If your pet will visit or enter an unlisted country, a veterinarian in Northern Ireland should administer a rabies titer test before leaving the country if your pet is to 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 destination country.

Unaccompanied transports may require export permits.

All animals leaving Northern Ireland for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain an export health certificate in accordance with their destination country requirements prior to the issuance of an export permit. The origin province responsible for the issuance of export permits will issue the necessary documentation.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Northern Ireland

There are no requirements for pet rodents, rabbits, birds, ornamental fish, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles entering Northern Ireland from an EU Member State under non-commercial regulations.

When importing a pet rodent or rabbit from Great Britain under non-commercial regulations, the following will apply:

• They must be healthy.
• They must number fewer than five.
• They must be accompanied by their owner.
• They must be accompanied by an original National Health Certificate.
• They must enter Northern Ireland at an approved Traveler’s Point of Entry.

Bird Import

Owners of birds can import them to Northern Ireland from an EU Member State or part 1 listed country under the following conditions:

• They must conform to non-commercial regulations.
• They must enter Northern Ireland within 5 days of when their owner travels.
• They must travel with a Pet Bird Declaration.
• They must enter Northern Ireland and provide advance notice to the Traveler’s Point of Entry.
• All CITES permits must be available if the bird is protected under CITES (next step).

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 and enforce CITES regulations.

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

Related: Learn more about CITES

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Northern Ireland?

Have a question about importing a pet to Northern Ireland? Post it below and we will respond promptly. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.

Please note that the accuracy of comments made below by users other than Pet Travel has 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 Northern Ireland’s pet import requirements.