Publication
Pet Travel
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Use the information portal below to find out the requirements your pet must meet to enter Ireland.
Please note the portal will not work if opened in Internet Explorer.
Your pet must arrive in Ireland with you, or within five days before or after you travel, if it is accompanied by a person authorised by you. Your pet must be accompanied by original paperwork.
Airlines operating within the EU are obliged to allow disabled passengers and those with reduced mobility to bring their recognised assistance dogs in the cabin of the plane. All dogs travelling in a cabin of an aircraft must be fully compliant with the rules for entering Ireland as set out.
Pets from non EU countries (apart from the European countries or territories listed above) may only enter Ireland through:
• Cork Airport
• Dublin Airport
• Dublin Port
• Shannon Airport
• Ringaskiddy port, Cork
• Rosslare Ferry Port
It is a matter for airlines whether or not they will allow animals providing other types of assistance/services, such as emotional support, to accompany passengers in the cabin of the plane.
If you are travelling from a non-EU country, you MUST provide advance notice of your intention to bring your service dog into Ireland, at least 24 hours before your departure time.
Please see the sections above on the requirements to enter Ireland and how to book a compliance check.
If you are transiting Ireland from a non-EU country on the way to another EU country, it may be possible to arrange for the compliance check to be carried out in Ireland, provided the animal is travelling in the cabin of the plane with you and the compliance check can be facilitated at your point of entry.
If you wish to enquire about this, please contact the relevant port of entry by email (found in previous sections), providing the relevant details. A DAFM official will inform you if it is possible to accommodate the compliance check.
You should keep all paperwork with you for the duration of your time in the EU, in case you are asked to present it on entry into the EU country which is your final destination.
The checks can also be carried out in the EU country that is your destination, if they cannot be facilitated in Ireland.
You may transit Ireland with your pet only if:
• the animal complies with the EU rules for pet travel, and
• you have a compliance check arranged in Ireland or in the country of destination
Pets not compliant with EU rules on pet travel must NOT disembark the aircraft in Ireland.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine may facilitate the landing of pets into Ireland by private transport, where possible. Cats, dogs and ferrets must comply with the rules for pet travel as outlined in sections above.
**advance notice of your intention to bring a pet into Ireland must be emailed to livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie at least one working day in advance of travel, but ideally during the week preceding the intended arrival date, to see if this can be arranged. Please complete the advance notice form .
Alternatively please provide us with the details required within the form in the main body of your email to livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie
The UK’s departure from the EU has resulted in a change in the rules for pet travel between Ireland and the UK. Please click here for further information.
Who to contact
Email address: livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie
- Telephone No. from within Ireland: 01 607 2827
- Telephone No. from outside of Ireland: 00 353 1 607 2827
For information on the pet travel pages of other EU countries please see here
For dogs, cats and ferrets the rules are largely the same to enter other EU countries as to enter Ireland: microchip, pet passport, rabies vaccination and waiting period. There is no tapeworm treatment required to leave Ireland. Please see the information above for more information.
If you are travelling on holiday or relocating with your pet out of the EU you will need to:
- contact the destination country for entry (certification) requirements
- contact the Regional Veterinary Office at least 2 months in advance of travel to ensure that necessary documentation can be certified by department officials
- allow sufficient time to ensure any required tests can be successfully performed
- ensure your pet qualifies to return to Ireland, see Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret into Ireland
The department may not be able to sign documentation for your pet to travel if you have not contacted your Regional Veterinary Office at least two months in advance of travel with your pet.
It is up to each individual airline as to if and how they allow pets to travel in their aircraft. Please note that from July 19th 2021, Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) are no longer allowing Pets to travel outbound as excess baggage. Please contact DAA directly for more information.
If you are taking your dog, cat or ferret out of Ireland to another EU country, or if you are returning to Ireland, you must get an EU pet passport. In Ireland this is issued by your local vet; please contact them directly.
Pets returning to Ireland from holiday must meet the requirements for entering Ireland from that country, as if it was a pet from that country. Please read sections above carefully and prepare your pet for return to Ireland BEFORE you leave .
If you are travelling to sell your pet dog, cat or ferret, for a change of ownership, or if the pet is not travelling with you or within five days of your travel, there are different rules. Please contact livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie , or your local RVO
If any of the following situations apply to you:
• you are buying a dog, cat or ferret abroad and having it shipped to Ireland unaccompanied, that is, you are not going to collect it and travel home with it, or
• your pet is in another country and you want to have it shipped to Ireland unaccompanied, that is, you are not going to collect it and travel home with it
• you are travelling to Ireland to buy, sell or gift a dog, cat or ferret, or if any change of ownership is involved after arrival, including delivery of a purchased or rehomed animal
• if you are travelling with more than 5 pets (the exception is if you are travelling for a dog show/competition, and you will need to provide written confirmation livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie
your pet may not enter Ireland under pet travel rules. These pets must follow a different set of rules.
Please see the following page gov.ie - Commercial Dog, Cat or Ferret Movements (www.gov.ie)
Pet Passports - Information for PVPs
DownloadUse the information portal below to find out the requirements your pet must meet to enter Ireland.
Please note the portal will not work if opened in Internet Explorer.
Your pet must arrive in Ireland with you, or within five days before or after you travel, if it is accompanied by a person authorised by you. Your pet must be accompanied by original paperwork.
Pet Travel - for general queries only ( not to book a compliance check )
Email:
Phone number:
Pet Movement - Dublin Port
Address:
Contact Details for advance notice only (no queries)
