Ireland – Importing a Pet

Does Ireland allow pets to be imported, and are there restrictions on which animals are permitted?

Pets can indeed be brought into Ireland, though the regulatory framework centres primarily on dogs, cats, and ferrets. The legislative basis for bringing these animals into the country for non-commercial purposes is the Pet Travel (Cats, Dogs and Ferrets) Regulations 2020 together with Regulation (EU) 576/2013. Anyone wishing to bring in a different type of animal — such as a rabbit, rodent, bird, reptile, or amphibian — will need to contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) directly, as these species fall under distinct and potentially more stringent rules.

Wolf hybrids, along with Savannah and Bengal cats, are excluded from standard pet travel procedures unless the animal is at least five generations removed from its wild or pedigree ancestor. This catches many owners off guard, particularly those with exotic hybrid breeds who assume the standard process applies to them.

Ireland also draws a clear distinction between outright breed bans and restricted breed designations for dogs. Since 1 October 2024, the XL Bully is the sole breed subject to a complete ban in Ireland. It is unlawful to import, breed, rehome, or sell an XL Bully, and ownership itself is illegal without a Certificate of Exemption.

Separately, the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 designates a number of breeds as restricted. These include the American Pit Bull Terrier, English Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Dobermann Pinscher, German Shepherd, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Japanese Akita, and Japanese Tosa. Owners of restricted breeds are legally obliged to keep their dog under control at all times, use a short leash when walking, and keep the dog muzzled in any public space. These requirements are absolute and apply to every individual dog of these breeds, irrespective of temperament or training history.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering Ireland?

Rabies vaccination sits at the heart of Ireland’s pet import health framework. Every dog, cat, and ferret travelling to Ireland must comply with rabies vaccination requirements, without exception — even if the animal is coming from a territory officially declared free of rabies. Ireland’s own rabies-free status is the very reason such stringent entry controls are in place.

Microchipping must take place before any rabies vaccination is administered, and the chip must be readable by a device compatible with ISO standard 11785. The rabies vaccine may only be given after the microchip has been confirmed as readable by a vet, and the animal must be a minimum of 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. The order of these steps is not flexible: a rabies vaccination given prior to microchipping will be treated as invalid.

Before travelling to Ireland, owners must allow sufficient time for the pet to develop adequate immune protection following vaccination — this equates to at least 21 days after the primary vaccination, in accordance with the datasheet of the vaccine administered. This waiting period does not apply to booster vaccinations, so long as they are given before the expiry date of the preceding rabies vaccine. Pet owners should always confirm current waiting period requirements with the official Pet Travel Portal, as regulatory changes can affect these figures.

Pets originating from countries categorised as higher risk by the EU face further requirements. If your pet is coming from an “unlisted country”, a rabies antibody titre test is mandatory. For this test to be valid, the animal must first be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, then allowed at least 30 days before blood is drawn. The blood sample must be submitted to an EU-approved laboratory by an accredited veterinarian, and the result must demonstrate a rabies antibody level of no less than 0.5 IU/ml. Following a satisfactory result, a further three-month waiting period must elapse before the animal may travel to the EU, including Ireland. This sequence alone can extend preparations by five months or more, so early planning is essential.

Dogs face one additional health requirement not applicable to cats or ferrets. Unless your dog is travelling from Finland, Malta, Norway, or Northern Ireland, a vet must administer treatment against tapeworm (specifically Echinococcus multilocularis) and document it in the pet passport or EU health certificate. The treatment must be praziquantel-based and given no fewer than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before the dog’s scheduled arrival in Ireland (as of 2025).

While not mandated as entry conditions, additional vaccinations are strongly advisable for the health of your pet. Dogs are recommended to be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus (DHLPP), as well as Bordetella. Cats should ideally be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (FVRCP). These vaccinations will not be checked at the border but offer important protection in a new country.

What is the application process for importing a pet into Ireland, and what paperwork is required?

All preparatory steps must be completed in the country from which you are departing before any travel takes place. The steps involved in importing a dog, cat, or ferret into Ireland must be followed in sequence, and each must be completed before the next begins. The process outlined below reflects the requirements for pets travelling from outside the EU (as of 2025). Those travelling from within the EU or from listed countries follow a simplified version of these steps. Always check the current requirements on the official Ireland Pet Travel Portal, as requirements are subject to change.

1. Implant a microchip. Your pet must carry a microchip that meets ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. Ireland also recognises AVID 9 and AVID 10 chips alongside ISO-standard devices. Microchipping must be completed before the rabies vaccination is given.
2. Administer the rabies vaccination. Once the microchip has been confirmed as readable, a vet authorised by the relevant national authority may administer the rabies vaccination. The animal must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. A minimum of 21 days must then pass after the primary vaccination before the pet may travel to Ireland (as of 2025).
3. Carry out a rabies titre test (if required). If the country you are departing from is classified as higher risk (“unlisted”) by the EU, blood must not be drawn for the titre test until at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The blood sample must be sent by your vet to an EU-approved laboratory. If the result meets the required threshold, a three-month waiting period then applies before travel to Ireland is permitted.
4. Obtain tapeworm treatment for dogs. If your dog is travelling from any country other than Finland, Malta, Norway, or Northern Ireland, a vet must administer a praziquantel-based tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before the scheduled arrival time and record this in the accompanying health documentation.
5. Obtain the correct travel document. Documentation for entry into the Republic of Ireland must include evidence of microchipping, a current rabies vaccination, a rabies titre test result where applicable, and one of the following: an official EU or Northern Ireland pet passport, a government-issued pet passport from a Part 1 listed third country, or an Animal Health Certificate when travelling from Great Britain. UK pet passports are no longer valid as a replacement for an Animal Health Certificate.
6. Notify the point of entry in advance. Owners bringing a pet from a non-EU country must give advance notice to the relevant entry point and arrange a compliance check before arriving. This should generally be done at least 24 hours ahead of travel — confirm the specific requirements with your chosen port or airport.
7. Arrive through an approved entry point and undergo compliance checks. Pets may only be brought into Ireland via Cork Airport, Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, Shannon Airport, the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, or Rosslare Europort. Compliance checks are conducted on arrival, and all documentation must be original — photocopies are not accepted.

A fee applies for compliance checks on pets entering Ireland from most countries outside the EU. No fee is charged for compliance checks on pets arriving from Great Britain, and guide dogs and assistance dogs are also exempt from the compliance check fee. Check the DAFM or Pet Travel Portal for the current fee schedule before making travel arrangements, as these figures may be updated.

Does Ireland require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Provided all entry requirements have been met, no quarantine period is imposed on pets arriving in Ireland. Quarantine is not a routine step in the Irish system — it is instead a consequence reserved for animals that fail to meet the required standards. If your pet does not pass the compliance checks, it may be refused entry, detained in quarantine if space allows, returned to the country of origin, or in the most serious cases euthanised. Every one of these outcomes is carried out at the owner’s expense, and there is no assurance that quarantine accommodation will be available when needed.

Pets that fall short of the entry requirements may be held under official control while the necessary tests or vaccinations are arranged. The decision to quarantine, return, or euthanise an animal rests with the authorities, and owners have little recourse once a pet has arrived without proper documentation. The gravity of these outcomes cannot be overstated — preparation before departure is the only reliable safeguard.

It is also worth noting that residents of Ireland who travel abroad with their pets and then return face entry requirements based on the country they are departing from, not the country in which the pet was born. In certain cases, travelling to a non-EU country with your pet and then returning to Ireland could trigger a requirement for up to three months’ quarantine on re-entry. This is a critical consideration for anyone planning international travel with an animal while based in Ireland.

In contrast to countries such as Australia or New Zealand, where quarantine on arrival has historically been mandatory regardless of documentation, Ireland’s approach is compliance-based: meet the rules, and quarantine is not part of the journey. However, this shifts the entire responsibility for preparation onto the owner, leaving no margin for error.

Is Ireland part of any international pet travel scheme?

Ireland is a full participant in the EU Pet Travel Scheme, which operates under EU Regulation 576/2013. This framework establishes a consistent set of standards for moving dogs, cats, and ferrets between EU member states and a range of associated countries, with the EU Pet Passport serving as the principal travel document under the scheme.

Ireland recognises pet passports issued by all EU member states, Northern Ireland, and the following European countries and territories: Andorra, Gibraltar, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and Vatican City State. If your pet is already documented in one of these countries and holds a correctly completed EU Pet Passport, the process of relocating to Ireland is considerably more straightforward.

However, simply possessing an EU pet passport does not guarantee automatic entry. The passport must be fully and correctly completed by an authorised veterinarian, with all records for microchipping, rabies vaccination, and tapeworm treatment entered in the appropriate sections. Incomplete documentation, regardless of the document type, will be identified at the compliance check.

For pets arriving from countries outside the EU Pet Travel Scheme — including the United States, Canada, Australia, and most nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America — an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) endorsed by an authorised or government-approved vet is required in place of a passport. An endorsed AHC is valid for travel between EU member states for up to four months, or until the anti-rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first. This validity applies only within the EU — if the pet leaves the EU at any point, a fresh health certificate signed by an official vet within the preceding ten days is required for re-entry.

Northern Ireland presents a particular nuance. Although it is part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland continues to align with EU requirements for the purposes of pet travel. This means that movement of pets between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is governed by EU-aligned rules. By contrast, pets travelling from Great Britain — that is, England, Scotland, and Wales — must be accompanied by an Animal Health Certificate rather than a UK-issued pet passport, which is no longer accepted.

Do pet owners need to register or licence their pet after arriving in Ireland?

Settling in Ireland with a pet brings with it a set of ongoing legal responsibilities, especially for those with dogs. These obligations are enforced at local authority level and apply to all dogs living in Ireland, whether they arrived recently or have been resident for years.

Any dog over four months of age must be covered by a dog licence. Puppies under four months that remain with their mother are exempt, but a licence becomes necessary as soon as they leave their mother’s care. An annual dog licence costs €20 and covers a period of 12 months; once this expires, owners must either renew annually or purchase a lifetime licence (as of 2025). A lifetime licence costs €140 and covers the dog for the remainder of its life (as of 2025). Licences are available online at licences.ie or in person at any An Post branch.

Microchipping is a separate domestic legal requirement in Ireland, independent of any import obligation. Dogs must be microchipped and enrolled on a database approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. There are currently four approved databases operating in Ireland: Animark, FIDO, Irish Kennel Club, and MicroDogID. If your dog arrived with a chip already registered on a foreign database, you should arrange to transfer those details to one of the approved Irish databases.

No comparable licensing requirement exists for cats or ferrets in Ireland at present. However, voluntary microchipping for cats is becoming more widespread, and legislation may be introduced in this area in the future — it is sensible to check the current position with DAFM upon arrival.

Owners of dogs from restricted breeds are subject to additional obligations from the moment their pet takes up residence in Ireland. The dog must be kept under proper control at all times, walked on a short leash, and kept muzzled in any public area. Failure to comply with dog ownership legislation carries on-the-spot fines ranging from €150 to €300 depending on the specific offence (as of 2025).

Are there any additional rules or costs expats should be aware of when bringing a pet to Ireland?

The five-pet limit. The maximum number of animals that may travel with a person under non-commercial pet travel rules is five, regardless of the country of departure. Travelling with more than five animals, or where any transfer of ownership is involved, triggers the commercial movement classification, which brings a more demanding and costly set of requirements.

The five-day rule. The pet owner or a designated representative must travel to Ireland on the same flight as the animal. Where the owner is unable to do so, a designated person must accompany the pet on the flight, and the owner must arrive in Ireland within five days of the pet’s entry for the movement to qualify as non-commercial. If neither condition is met, the movement is treated as commercial, which changes the applicable import requirements and increases costs.

Approved routes only. Entry is restricted to six designated points: Cork Airport, Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, Shannon Airport, the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, and Rosslare Europort. Private or small airports, marinas, yacht clubs, and other ports of entry are not approved for pet arrivals, and attempting to enter via these routes will result in the pet being refused.

Airline policies. The decision on whether a pet travels in the cabin or as hold baggage rests entirely with the individual airline — the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has no role in this determination. There is no prohibition on pets travelling in the cabin to Ireland. Airlines and shipping lines operate their own distinct policies regarding crate dimensions, accepted breeds, and in-cabin versus cargo hold transport, so it is essential to confirm these details directly with your carrier well in advance of travel.

Transit considerations. Where possible, flights to Ireland should be direct or should transit only through a listed third country or another EU member state. If transit involves passing through an unlisted country, a Transit Declaration will be needed, confirming that the animal had no contact with rabies-susceptible wildlife and remained secured within the aircraft or airport throughout.

Country of departure matters. The entry requirements that apply to your pet are determined by the country it is travelling from at the time of entry — not by the country in which it was born or where it normally resides. If you travel internationally with your pet before relocating to Ireland, the rules that apply on arrival will reflect that most recent country of departure.

Ear-cropped dogs. Ireland has enacted specific regulations governing the import of dogs with cropped ears under the Ear-cropping of Dogs Regulations 2023. If your dog has undergone ear cropping, review these regulations via the Pet Travel Portal before travelling, as additional documentation may be required for entry.

Where can expats find official information about importing a pet into Ireland?

Pet travel regulations — particularly in the post-Brexit environment — are subject to periodic revision, making it vital to consult current official sources as close to your departure date as possible rather than relying on information that may be out of date. The key official resources are listed below.

• Ireland Pet Travel Portal (pettravel.gov.ie) — The primary official online resource for non-commercial pet import requirements. By selecting your pet type and country of origin, you receive a tailored summary of the requirements that apply to your situation. Maintained by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, this is the most authoritative starting point for anyone preparing to bring a pet to Ireland.
• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) — Ireland’s national veterinary authority, responsible for biosecurity oversight, animal health certificate requirements, and compliance checks at approved entry points. DAFM personnel stationed at designated entry points carry out the arrival checks. The DAFM website also contains guidance on commercial movements and unaccompanied pet imports.
• Citizens Information — Bringing Pets to Ireland — A clear, accessible overview of the rules for people relocating to or living in Ireland. This resource is particularly useful for those wanting a plain-language introduction before working through the more technical DAFM guidance.
• EU Pet Travel Rules — Your Europe (Europa.eu) — The definitive source for EU-wide pet travel regulations, including the classification of listed and unlisted countries and the requirements governing rabies titre testing. Essential reading for any pet owner arriving from outside the EU.

Before finalising any travel arrangements, confirm all details — including applicable fees, waiting periods, and approved testing laboratories — directly through these official channels. Regulations change, and acting on outdated information is among the most frequent reasons pets are turned away at the border or held in quarantine on arrival.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my pet arrives in Ireland without the correct paperwork?

A pet that fails the compliance checks at an Irish entry point may be denied entry, placed in quarantine pending the necessary tests or vaccinations, returned to the country of origin, or in the most extreme cases euthanised. All costs associated with any of these outcomes fall to the owner. There is no certainty that quarantine space will be available, and the authorities are not obliged to hold an animal while documentation issues are resolved. Assuming that paperwork problems can be sorted out on arrival is a serious and potentially devastating mistake.

How long does the full process take from start to finish?

Preparation time varies considerably depending on your country of departure. Owners relocating from EU member states and travelling with a valid, fully completed pet passport may be ready within a matter of weeks. Those arriving from EU-unlisted countries, however, face a much longer timeline — microchipping, vaccination, a mandatory 30-day wait before the titre blood test, laboratory processing, and then a three-month waiting period after a satisfactory result can together stretch the total preparation time to five months or beyond. Beginning the process as far ahead of your intended move date as possible is strongly advised.

Are the rules different for cats versus dogs?

The foundational requirements — microchipping, rabies vaccination, and valid travel documentation — are identical for cats, dogs, and ferrets. Dogs, however, are subject to two additional obligations that do not apply to the other species: a praziquantel-based tapeworm treatment in the days immediately before entering Ireland, and — where a restricted breed is involved — muzzling and leash requirements from the moment of arrival. Cats are also not subject to the domestic dog licensing requirement that applies to dog owners in Ireland.

Can I import a rescue animal into Ireland?

A rescue animal may be imported into Ireland, but it must satisfy the same entry requirements as any other pet — a valid microchip, a current rabies vaccination with the appropriate waiting period observed, and the correct travel documentation. The particular challenge with rescue animals is that their vaccination and health history is often incomplete or difficult to verify, which can complicate compliance with titre testing and documentation requirements. All necessary arrangements should be made through an accredited veterinarian in the country of origin before any travel is booked.

Do the same rules apply to pets arriving from Great Britain?

Since Brexit, pets travelling from Great Britain — that is, England, Scotland, and Wales — to Ireland must be accompanied by an Animal Health Certificate issued and endorsed by a government-authorised vet. UK-issued pet passports are no longer accepted in place of an AHC. There is no compliance check fee for pets entering Ireland from Great Britain (as of 2025). Pets moving between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are treated differently, as Northern Ireland continues to follow EU-aligned pet travel rules, meaning an EU-format pet passport or AHC remains valid for that route.

Can my pet travel to Ireland as cargo if I am not on the same flight?

If the owner is unable to travel on the same flight as the pet, a designated person must accompany the animal and the owner must arrive in Ireland within five days of the pet’s entry for the movement to be classified as non-commercial. If no authorised person is available to accompany the pet, or the five-day condition cannot be met, the movement is treated as commercial, which triggers a separate and more complex set of import requirements. Anyone considering this route should contact DAFM or a licensed pet relocation company for specific guidance before making any arrangements.

Does Ireland require a dog licence immediately after arrival?

Yes — any dog over four months of age must be licensed as soon as it takes up residence in Ireland. An annual licence costs €20 and is valid for 12 months; a lifetime licence costs €140 and covers the dog for the rest of its life (as of 2025). Licences can be purchased online at licences.ie or at any An Post branch. Not having a licence in place is an offence that can result in on-the-spot fines.

Are there restrictions on how many pets I can bring with me?

No more than five animals may travel with a person under the non-commercial pet travel rules, and this limit applies regardless of the country of departure. If you are bringing more than five pets, or if any change of ownership is part of the arrangement, the movement is automatically classified as commercial. This classification carries higher costs and more stringent documentation requirements. Anyone in this situation should contact DAFM well in advance to understand what the commercial movement process entails.