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Bringing a Dog or Cat to Ireland from the US or UK
To bring a dog or cat into Ireland from the US or Great Britain you need an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccine given after the chip and at least 21 days before travel, and an EU animal health certificate endorsed by an official vet within 10 days of arrival. You must give advance notice and book a compliance check on arrival. Dogs also need a tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before arrival. Pets can only enter through listed points of entry such as Dublin, Cork or Shannon airport.
Requirements at a glance
| Microchip | Readable by an ISO 11785 reader, implanted before the rabies vaccine |
|---|---|
| Rabies vaccine | At 12+ weeks old, then wait 21 days (30 if the vaccine datasheet says so); 1- or 3-year vaccines accepted |
| Health certificate | EU animal health certificate, signed and endorsed by an official vet within 10 days of arrival; originals only |
| Tapeworm (dogs) | Praziquantel 24 to 120 hours before arrival, unless coming from Finland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland |
| Advance notice | Required from outside the EU; book the compliance check online before travel |
| Entry points | Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, Dublin Port, Port of Cork (Ringaskiddy) and Rosslare Europort only |
| Quarantine | None if the rules are met |
| Plan ahead | At least 4 weeks |
Step-by-step timeline
- 4+ weeks beforeCheck the chip reads and that the rabies vaccine has no gap. If it lapsed, the next shot counts as a primary vaccination with a 21-day wait, which often catches travellers from North America.
- Before bookingChoose a listed point of entry and check its opening hours. Manifest cargo arriving at Dublin Airport outside Border Control Post hours needs approval before you book the flight.
- Before travelGive advance notice through the Department of Agriculture's online pet portal and arrange the compliance check. Dogs with cropped ears need an import licence, applied for at least 5 days before travel.
- 10 days beforeEU animal health certificate signed and endorsed by an official vet (USDA APHIS in the US, an Official Veterinarian in the UK). Photocopies and digital printouts are not accepted.
- 1 to 5 days beforeDogs: tapeworm treatment with praziquantel, 24 to 120 hours before the scheduled arrival.
- ArrivalStay at the airport or port until the compliance check is done. There is a fee per pet from most non-EU countries, but none from Great Britain.
Dogs vs cats
Dogs, cats and ferrets follow the same microchip, rabies and certificate rules. Only dogs need the tapeworm treatment. Ireland has no breed ban, but dogs with cropped ears need an import licence. More than 5 pets counts as a commercial movement unless you are going to a show or competition.
Common mistakes
- Bringing photocopies or printouts. Ireland only accepts the original certificate.
- Leaving the airport or port before the compliance check.
- Giving the tapeworm dose outside the 24 to 120 hour window. A dog that arrives more than 5 days after treatment must be treated again.
- Arriving at a small or private airport or port. Pets can only enter at the listed points of entry.
Official source: DAFM: bringing your pet into Ireland from outside the EU
Other destinations
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to notify anyone before bringing my dog to Ireland?
Yes, when you come from outside the EU. You give advance notice and arrange a compliance check through the Department of Agriculture's online portal before you travel.
Can my dog fly in the cabin to Ireland?
Ireland's Department of Agriculture has no objection to pets in the cabin or as excess baggage. The airline decides where your pet travels.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test for Ireland?
Not from the US, Great Britain or the EU. Pets from countries that are not on the EU list may need one.
Is there quarantine for pets entering Ireland?
No, if everything is in order. Pets that fail the checks can be refused entry or quarantined at the owner's cost.
Sources
Rules change. Always confirm with the official source above and your vet before you travel or change a vaccine plan.