- 1. Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret into Ireland - General Information
- 2. Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret into Ireland from Another EU Country
- 3. Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret into Ireland from Outside the EU From Certain Listed Countries
- 4. Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret into Ireland from any country other than those listed above
- 5. Commercial Dogs, Cats and Ferrets
- 6. Bringing your pet dog -travelling with guide and assistance dogs
- 7. Transiting Ireland with pet cat, dog or ferrets
- 8. Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret into Ireland by private transport (aircraft/yacht)
- 9. Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret into Ireland -Hybrid pets
- 10. Bringing your pet bird reptile, amphibian, rabbit, or rodent into Ireland
- 11. Brexit
- 12. Travelling or relocating out of Ireland with your pet
- 13. Bringing an unaccompanied pet cat, dog or ferret into Ireland
- 14. Information for Vets
- 15. Contact details:
Your pet dog, cat or ferret 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.
If any of the following situations apply to you your pet may not enter Ireland under pet travel rules. :
• 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
These pets must follow a different set of rules. Please see section on Bringing an Unaccompanied Pet CAT, Dog or Ferret into Ireland.
All pets must be accompanied by original paperwork, not copies. 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.
Five is the maximum number of animals allowed to travel with you under the pet travel rules. These rules apply no matter which country you are travelling from.
Service animals must comply with the rules on EU pet travel. For more information on travelling to Ireland with a service animal, please see below.
If you are entering Ireland from a non-EU country Ireland you must give advance notice of your intention to bring your pet into Ireland and arrange in advance to have a compliance check carried out on arrival. You must not leave the airport or port before compliance checks are carried out, unless you are coming from an EU country.
Please read through the information below carefully. If you have any questions on pet travel after reading, please contact
Email address: livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie
• telephone from within Ireland: 01 607 2827
• telephone from outside of Ireland: 00353 1 6072827
Bringing your pet cat, dog or ferret into Ireland from an EU Member State or from Andorra; Gibraltar; Greenland and the Faroe islands; Iceland; Liechtenstein; Monaco, Norway; San Marino; Switzerland or the Vatican City State
Your pet cat, dog or ferret may enter Ireland from an EU country or one of the countries/ territories listed above and will not be required to enter quarantine if it:
• has been microchipped - the microchip must be inserted before the rabies vaccination is administered, and must be readable by a device compatible with ISO standard 11785. If the microchip cannot be read when you enter Ireland, your pet may be required to be quarantined under official control, or refused entry into Ireland. You may bring your own microchip scanner, if the microchip is not readable by a device compatible with ISO standard 11785.
• has a valid rabies vaccination
(i) The vaccination must be given after the microchip is inserted.
(ii) The pet must be at least 12 weeks old before the vaccination is given, and it must be given by your vet.
(iii) You must wait until the appropriate immunity has developed, as stated by the datasheet of the vaccination given, which must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given, before you can bring the dog, cat or ferret to Ireland. If the datasheet of the vaccination used says that immunity is not present until day 30 after vaccination, then you must wait 30 days before travel and your vet should record the same in the passport.
A rabies vaccination with a 1 or 3-year validity period is acceptable for entry into Ireland. Once there has been no break in coverage after a primary rabies vaccination, subsequent vaccinations are considered booster and not primary vaccinations. In the case of booster vaccinations, the 21-day waiting period does not apply. If there has been a break in coverage, the next vaccination will be considered a primary vaccination and the 21-day waiting period will apply.
• is accompanied by a valid EU pet passport or EU Health certificate
Ireland accepts pet passports from all EU countries, and from the following European countries/territories: Andorra; Gibraltar; Greenland and the Faroe Islands; Iceland; Liechtenstein; Monaco; Norway; San Marino; Switzerland; Vatican City State.
If your pet dog, cat or ferret does not have a pet passport issued by one of the countries or territories listed above, it must be accompanied into Ireland by a valid EU Health certificate . A valid passport is a passport issued by an EU country or territory listed above, which certifies that the rabies vaccine given is valid.
Vets in countries outside of the EU or the countries/territories listed above may not complete, sign or stamp the section on rabies vaccination in the passport. If they were to do so, this would make the pet passport invalid for travel into the EU.
If your pet dog, cat or ferret does not have a pet passport, issued by one of the countries or territories listed above, it must be accompanied by a valid EU Health certificate .
An EU health certificate must be:
• completed by your veterinary practitioner, AND
• signed and endorsed by an Official (State) Veterinarian of the country of departure, within 10 days of pets arrival into the EU, AND
• immediately upon arriving into the EU, signed and endorsed by the EU country which performed the compliance checks.
An Official State Veterinarian is a veterinarian directly employed by the government in the country of departure.
If the pet is travelling by sea, the validity is extended by the number of days of travel by sea.
The endorsed certificate is valid for travel between EU Member States for up to 4 months, or until the anti-rabies vaccination expires, whichever is the earliest.
• has been administered tapeworm treatment for dogs
If your dog is entering Ireland from any country apart from Finland, Malta, Norway or the UK (before 1st January 2021), a vet must treat your dog for tapeworm (specifically Echinococcus multilocularis) and record the treatment in the pet passport or EU health certificate before each time you intend to travel to Ireland.
The treatment must contain praziquantel and must be administered by a veterinarian no less than 24 hours (1 day) and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before the scheduled arrival time of the dog in Ireland. Your dog may be refused entry into Ireland or quarantined under official control if it has not been correctly treated against Echinococcus multlocularis before entry into Ireland.
Pets coming from other EU countries or the countries/territories listed above may enter Ireland through any port/airport of entry.
• It is up to each individual airline to decide whether to carry the animal in the cabin or as excess baggage – the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine does not decide on this.
• Spot checks are carried out on pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering Ireland from EU countries and the countries/ territories listed above. These checks are carried out at the port/airport of entry and are free of charge.
• Pets failing Compliance Checks
If you do not follow these rules, or your pet fails the compliance checks, it may be refused entry into Ireland, or may be placed into quarantine under official control for the necessary tests or vaccinations. In very limited circumstances, the pet may be euthanised. These measures will be implemented at the owner’s expense.
Coming from one of the countries/ territories listed below
Ascension Island; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Aruba; Australia; Barbados; Bahrain; Belarus; Bermuda; Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (the BES Islands); Bosnia and Herzegovina; British Virgin Islands; Canada; Cayman Islands; Chile; Curaçao; Fiji; Falkland Islands; French Polynesia; Hong Kong; Jamaica; Japan; Malaysia; Mauritius; Mexico; Montserrat; New Caledonia; New Zealand; North Macedonia, Russia; Saint Helena; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Sint Maarten; Saint Pierre and Miquelon; Singapore; Taiwan; Trinidad and Tobago; United Arab Emirates; United States of America (including American Samoa; Guam; Northern Mariana Islands; Puerto Rico; US Virgin Islands); Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Vanuatu; Wallis and Futuna.
Your pet cat, dog or ferret may enter Ireland from one of the countries/territories listed above and will not be required to enter quarantine if it has:
• been microchipped
The microchip must be inserted before the rabies vaccination is administered, and must be readable by a device compatible with ISO standard 11785. If the microchip cannot be read when you enter Ireland, your pet could be put into quarantine under official control or refused entry. You may bring your own microchip scanner, if the microchip is not readable by a device compatible with ISO standard 11785.
• a valid rabies vaccination
(i) The vaccination must be given after the microchip is inserted.
(ii) The pet must be at least 12 weeks old before the vaccination is given, and it must be given by a vet authorised by the authorities of your country.
(iii) You must wait until the appropriate immunity has developed, as stated by the datasheet of the vaccination given, which must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given, before you can bring the dog, cat or ferret to Ireland. If the datasheet of the vaccination used says that immunity is not present until day 30 after vaccination, then you must wait 30 days before travel and your vet should record the same in the health certificate.
A rabies vaccination with a 1 or 3-year validity period is acceptable for entry into Ireland.
Once there has been no break in coverage after a primary rabies vaccination, subsequent vaccinations are considered booster and not primary vaccinations. In the case of booster vaccinations, the waiting period does not apply.
If there has been a break in coverage, the next vaccination will be considered a primary vaccination and the appropriate waiting period will apply.
• is accompanied by a valid EU pet passport or EU Health certificate . Ireland accepts pet passports from all EU countries, and from the following European countries/territories:
Andorra, Gibraltar, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican City State
A valid passport is a passport issued by an EU country or a country/ territory listed above, which certifies that the rabies vaccine given is valid.
Vets in countries outside of the EU and the countries/territories listed above may not complete, sign or stamp the section on rabies vaccination in the passport. If they were to do so, this would make the pet passport invalid for travel.
If your pet dog, cat or ferret does not have a pet passport issued by an EU country or the countries/territories listed above, it must be accompanied by an EU Health certificate before entering an EU country, including Ireland.
An EU Health certificate must be:
• completed by your veterinary practitioner, AND
• signed and endorsed by an Official (State) Veterinarian of the country of departure, within 10 days of pets arrival into the EU, AND
• immediately upon arriving into the EU, signed and endorsed by the EU country which performed the compliance checks
An Official State Veterinarian is a veterinarian directly employed by the government in the country of departure.
If the pet is travelling by sea, the validity is extended by the number of days of travel by sea.
The endorsed certificate is valid for travel between EU Member States for up to 4 months, or until the anti-rabies vaccination expires, whichever is the earliest.
• has been administered tapeworm treatment for dogs
If your dog is entering Ireland from any country apart from Finland, Malta, Norway or the UK (before 1st January 2021), a vet must treat your dog for tapeworm (specifically Echinococcus multilocularis) and record the treatment in the pet passport or EU health certificate before each time you intend to travel to Ireland.
The treatment must contain praziquantel and must be administered by a veterinarian no less than 24 hours (1 day) and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before the scheduled arrival time of the dog in Ireland. Your dog may be refused entry into Ireland or quarantined under official control if it has not been correctly treated against Echinococcus multlocularis before entry into Ireland.
• Pet dogs, cats and ferrets from the above countries may only enter Ireland through Cork Airport, Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy or Rosslare Europort and must undergo compliance checks on arrival.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your animal undergoes the compliance check.
Only in the event of an airport/port emergency should you leave the baggage reclaim area or point of entry without undergoing a compliance check. If this was to happen, you must contact DAFM immediately to explain why you left and re-arrange the compliance check.
• There is a fee for compliance checks on pets. There is no charge for compliance checks on guide dogs.
Compliance checks are usually performed at the port or airport of arrival.
If you are arriving into Dublin only, and your pets are travelling cargo or outside of DAFM staffs working hours in Dublin Airport (7.30a, - 9pm), the compliance check will be carried out by either:
Lissenhall Vet. Hospital info@lissenhallvet.ie ++ 353 1 8900375
Vets Direct info@vetsdirect.ie ++ 353 87668 6278
A fee for checks will apply, please contact your chosen provider directly for details.
Please note: Lissenhall Veterinary Hospital is located approximately 10km from Dublin airport. If the compliance check is to be completed at Lissenhall, pets will be securely transported to Lissenhall Veterinary Hospital; owners are not allowed to travel in the vehicle with the animal. Owners must make their own arrangements to travel to Lissenhall, at their own expense, in order to collect their animals.
• You must provide advance notice and organise compliance checks for your pet in advance of your arrival into Ireland.
advance notice should be emailed to:
- Dublin Airport petmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Shannon Airport PetsShannon@agriculture.gov.ie
- Cork Airport corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Ringaskiddy Port, Cork corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Rosslare Europort rosslare.europort@agriculture.gov.ie
Or the providers above if appropriate (please see previous section.)
Please include the following information: Date and time of arrival, Airport, Name and contact number of the person who will be travelling with the pet, Flight Number, number of animals to be checked and paperwork the pet will be travelling with, for example, EU Pet Passport or EU Health certificate ,
Or alternatively fill out the advance notice form.
• Pets transiting through other EU Member States may have the compliance check carried out at the first point of entry into the EU OR in Ireland. If the compliance check was performed in another EU Member State, you should produce proof of this on arrival into Ireland.
If you originally came from outside the EU and a compliance check was not carried out in another EU Member State, then you must have a compliance check on arrival into Ireland.
If you do not follow these rules, or your pet fails the compliance checks, it may be refused entry into Ireland, or may be placed into quarantine under official control for the necessary tests or vaccinations. In very limited circumstances, the pet may be euthanised. These measures will be implemented at the owner’s expense.
• Contact Details at Points of Entry
Dublin Airport: If you need to contact a Department of Agriculture officer on arrival in Dublin Airport, you may do so by pressing the button marked Duty Supervisor on the courtesy telephone outside the Department of Agriculture offices in the baggage reclaim hall, opposite
- carousel No. 6 in Terminal 1, or
- carousel No. 2 in Terminal 2
Mobile telephone number: + 353 (0) 87 417 8986.
Shannon Airport, on arrival you should pass through passport control and present your animal to the Department of Agriculture in the Arrivals Hall. You must not leave the baggage reclaim hall without undergoing the compliance check. If the inspector is delayed please take a seat and await their arrival.
If you need to contact DAFM staff in Shannon Airport or cancel the inspection please call the Portal Inspector on Duty on +35361500940 or by emailing PetsShannon@agriculture.gov.ie .
• Pets failing Compliance Checks
If you do not follow these rules, or your pet fails the compliance checks, it may be refused entry into Ireland, or may be placed into quarantine under official control for the necessary tests or vaccinations. In very limited circumstances, the pet may be euthanised. These measures will be implemented at the owner’s expense.
Your pet cat, dog or ferret may enter Ireland from any country or territory not listed in the previous sections, and will not be required to enter quarantine, if it has:
• been microchipped
The microchip must be inserted before the rabies vaccination is administered, and must be readable by a device compatible with ISO standard 11785. If the microchip cannot be read when you enter Ireland, your pet may be required to be quarantined under official control, or refused entry into Ireland. You may bring your own microchip scanner with you, if the microchip is not readable by a device compatible with ISO standard 11785.
• a valid rabies vaccination and successful rabies serological test (blood test)
Rabies vaccination
- the vaccination must be given after the microchip is inserted
- the pet must be at least 12 weeks old before the vaccination is given, and
- it must be given by a vet authorised by the government authorities of your country
Rabies serological test (blood test)
- you must wait at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination has been given before the blood test is carried out. Otherwise your pet will fail the compliance check
- your vet must send the blood sample to an EU-approved blood testing laboratory. The laboratory may be located either in an EU Member State or another country. A list of approved laboratories can be accessed here
- the result of the blood test must show that the vaccination was successful (a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml)
- the animal must wait three months from the date of the blood draw, if a satisfactory result has been obtained, before it can travel to the EU, including Ireland
- the original blood test certificate from the lab, or a copy received from the lab, must travel with the animal as part of it’s health certificate and be presented when the compliance check is being carried out
The 3-month wait period does not apply if:
- the blood sample was taken by a vet in an EU Member State or in Andorra, Gibraltar, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland or the Vatican City State and
- the satisfactory result is entered into the passport or EU health cert (see below) before the animal left the EU and
- there was no break in rabies vaccinations after the blood test was carried out
This is particularly relevant to a pet in an EU country who is to travel to an unlisted country, and the owner wishes to re-enter the EU with their pet without having to wait 3 months.
A rabies vaccination with a 1 or 3-year validity period is acceptable for entry into Ireland.
A valid blood test will remain valid for the life of the animal only if there is no break in rabies vaccination cover after the blood test is performed.
If there has been a break in rabies vaccine coverage, the next vaccination will be considered a primary vaccination and the blood test must be repeated at least 30 days after the vaccination, and then the 3-month waiting period following a successful blood test will apply.
• is accompanied by a valid EU pet passport, or EU Health certificate
Ireland accepts pet passports from all EU countries, and from the following European countries/territories: Andorra; Gibraltar; Greenland and the Faroe Islands; Iceland; Liechtenstein; Monaco; Norway; San Marino; Switzerland; Vatican City State.
A valid passport is a passport issued by an EU country or territory listed above, which certifies that the rabies vaccine given is valid.
Vets in non-EU countries (apart from the European countries/territories listed above) may not complete, sign or stamp the section on rabies vaccination or the rabies serological test in the passport. If they were to do so, this would make the pet passport invalid for travel.
If your pet dog, cat or ferret does not have a pet passport, issued by one of the countries or territories listed above (point 3), it must be accompanied by an EU Health certificate , before entering an EU country, including Ireland.
An EU Health certificate must be:
- completed by your veterinary practitioner, AND
- signed and endorsed by an Official (State) Veterinarian of the country of departure, within 10 days of pets arrival into the EU, AND
immediately upon arriving into the EU, signed and endorsed by the EU country which performed the compliance checks
An Official State Veterinarian is a veterinarian directly employed by the government in the country of departure.
If the pet is travelling by sea, the validity is extended by the number of days of travel by sea.
The endorsed certificate is valid for travel between EU Member States for up to 4 months, or until the anti-rabies vaccination expires, whichever is the earliest.
• Tapeworm treatment for dogs
If your dog is entering Ireland from any country apart from Finland, Malta, Norway or the UK (before 1st January 2021), a vet must treat your dog for tapeworm (specifically Echinococcus multilocularis) and record the treatment in the pet passport or EU health certificate before each time you intend to travel to Ireland.
The treatment must contain praziquantel and must be administered by a veterinarian no less than 24 hours (1 day) and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before the scheduled arrival time of the dog in Ireland. Your dog may be refused entry into Ireland or quarantined under official control if it has not been correctly treated against Echinococcus multilocularis before entry into Ireland.
Pets may only enter Ireland through Cork Airport, Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, Shannon Airport, the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy or Rosslare Europort and must undergo compliance checks on arrival.
Only in the event of an airport/port emergency should you leave the baggage reclaim area or point of entry without undergoing a compliance check. If this was to happen, you must contact DAFM immediately to explain why you left and re-arrange the compliance check.
• There is a fee for compliance checks on pets. There is no charge for compliance checks on guide dogs.
Compliance checks are usually performed at the port or airport of arrival.
If you are arriving into Dublin only, and your pets are travelling cargo or outside of DAFM staffs working hours in Dublin Airport (7.30a, - 9pm), the compliance check will be carried out by either:
Lissenhall Vet. Hospital info@lissenhallvet.ie ++ 353 1 8900375
Vets Direct info@vetsdirect.ie ++ 353 87668 6278
A fee for checks will apply, please contact your chosen provider directly for details.
Please note: Lissenhall Veterinary Hospital is located approximately 10km from Dublin airport. If the compliance check is to be completed at Lissenhall, pets will be securely transported to Lissenhall Veterinary Hospital; owners are not allowed to travel in the vehicle with the animal. Owners must make their own arrangements to travel to Lissenhall, at their own expense, in order to collect their animals.
• You must provide advance notice and organise compliance checks for your pet in advance of your arrival into Ireland.
advance notice should be emailed to:
- Dublin Airport petmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Shannon Airport PetsShannon@agriculture.gov.ie
- Cork Airport corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Ringaskiddy port, Cork corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Rosslare Europort rosslare.europort@agriculture.gov.ie
Or the providers above if appropriate (please see previous section.)
Please include the following information: Date and time of arrival, Airport, Name and contact number of the person who will be travelling with the pet, Flight Number, number of animals to be checked and paperwork the pet will be travelling with, for example, EU Pet Passport or EU Health certificate
Or alternatively fill out the advance notice form.
• Pets transiting through other EU Member States may have the compliance check carried out at the first point of entry into the EU OR in Ireland. If the compliance check was performed in another EU Member State, you should produce proof of this on arrival into Ireland.
If you originally came from outside the EU and a compliance check was not carried out in another EU Member State, then you must have a compliance check on arrival into Ireland.
• Contact Details at Points of Entry
Dublin Airport: If you need to contact a Department of Agriculture officer on arrival in Dublin Airport, you may do so by pressing the button marked Duty Supervisor on the courtesy telephone outside the Department of Agriculture offices in the baggage reclaim hall, opposite
- carousel No. 6 in Terminal 1, or
- carousel No. 2 in Terminal 2
Mobile telephone number: + 353 (0) 87 417 8986.
Shannon Airport, on arrival you should pass through passport control and present your animal to the Department of Agriculture in the Arrivals Hall. You must not leave the baggage reclaim hall without undergoing the compliance check. If the inspector is delayed please take a seat and await their arrival.
If you need to contact DAFM staff in Shannon Airport or cancel the inspection please call the Portal Inspector on Duty on +35361500940 or by emailing PetsShannon@agriculture.gov.ie.
• Pets failing Compliance Checks
If you do not follow these rules, or your pet fails the compliance checks, it may be refused entry into Ireland, or may be placed into quarantine under official control for the necessary tests or vaccinations. In very limited circumstances, the pet may be euthanised. These measures will be implemented at the owner’s expense.
General principles and relevant legislation
1. Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/294 and Directive 92/65/EC harmonises the rules and establishes the general animal health conditions for the import into the territory of the EU of commercial dogs, cats and ferrets.
2. The list of Third countries, territories or parts thereof authorised for the export of commercial dogs, cats and ferrets can be found in:
Part 1 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010;
Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013;
Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/659, except those third countries for which a time limit is indicated in column 16 of the table in that Annex.
3. Decision 2006/146/EC on Nipah and Hendra Virus contains additional requirements for consignments of dogs and cats from Malaysia (Peninsula) and Australia.
4. Other EU rules, such as animal welfare requirements in Regulation (EC) 1/2005, or the requirement for authorised transporters still apply.
Import conditions
1. The list of Third countries, territories or parts thereof authorised for the export of commercial dogs, cats and ferrets can be found in:
(a) Part 1 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010;
(b) Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013;
(c) Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/659, except those third countries for which a time limit is indicated in column 16 of the table in that Annex.
2. If the animals are destined for a premises approved under Directive 92/65/EC, then the list of Third countries, territories or parts thereof authorised for the export of commercial dogs, cats and ferrets, or that the animals can transit through, can be found in:
(a) Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013;
3. Consignments of these animals must be accompanied by the appropriate veterinary certificate drawn up in accordance with the relevant model heath certificate (See Veterinary Certification below).
4. As well as complying with all the requirements set out in the veterinary certificate, this may also include additional requirements to minimise potential disease risks, including:
(a) Decision 2006/146/EC on Nipah and Hendra Virus
5. The animals must come from a holding registered by the competent authority in the country of origin.
6. When additional requirements are necessary, the official veterinarian in the exporting non-EU country must ensure that the relevant sections are completed in the veterinary health certificate.
7. During the period after loading in the third country of origin and before arrival at the border control post of introduction into the Union, consignments of live animals shall not be:
a. transported together with live animals that:
i. are not intended for introduction into the Union
ii. are of a lower health status
b. unloaded in, or when transported by air, moved to another aircraft, or transported by road, by rail, or moved on foot through a third country, territory or part thereof which is not authorised for imports of the animals concerned into the Union.
8. Consignments of live animals shall only be introduced into the Union where the consignment arrives at the border control post of introduction into the Union within 10 days of the date of issue of the appropriate veterinary certificate.
9. In the case of transport by sea, that period of 10 days shall be extended by an additional period corresponding to the duration of the journey by sea.
Veterinary Certification
1. The relevant certificates for commercial consignments of dogs, cats, and ferrets are laid down in Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/294:
Model animal health certificate for imports into the Union of dogs, cats and ferrets
Download2. An official veterinarian in the authorised Third country must sign the certificate to attest that all the relevant conditions in the certificate have been met.
3. A certified copy of the identification and vaccination details, and a certified copy of the official report from the approved laboratory with the results of the rabies antibody titration test if applicable, of the animals concerned must be attached to the health certificate.
4. The certificate must accompany the consignment en-route to the EU and be presented with the animals when they are presented for entry into the EU at an approved EU Border Control Post (BCP).
Document submission
1. Live animals entering the Union must be inspected at an EU-approved Border Control Post (BCP) where Member States' official veterinarians ensure they fulfil all the requirements provided for in the EU legislation.
2. The person responsible for the load being imported (the importer or a customs agent acting on their behalf) must give the BCP at the intended point of entry advance notification of the arrival of the consignment.
3. There is a required minimum pre-notification notice period of at least 24 hours’ notice in advance of the consignment’s arrival.
4. Failure to submit correct documentation within this timeline may result in significant delays in the consignment being processed through the Border Control Post.
5. Pre-notification is given by the submission of Part 1 of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED-A), as is laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 2019/1715 through the online TRACES NT system.
6. Copies of other supporting documentation associated with the consignment such as the Health Certificate should be submitted at this time as well.
7. The CHED provides a standardised format for documentation relating to declaration and checks for live animals arriving into the Union so that data on imported consignments can be properly managed and processed within TRACES NT, the EU's integrated veterinary traceability system.
Border control
1. All live animals from third countries require veterinary checks at their point of entry into the European Union, as listed in Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2007.
2. EU harmonised import controls are carried out at an approved Border Control Post (BCP) that is designated to deal with that species of animal. The consignment may only enter Ireland through an approved Border Control Post (BCP) designated for that species.
3. There are three different types of designation:
a. ‘E’ for equine animals,
b. ‘U’ for ungulate animals
c. ‘O’ for other animals
4. . Dublin Port – Designation for Equine (E) animals, Ungulate (U) animals (excluding bovine, ovine, caprine or porcine species) and Other (O) live animals
b. Rosslare Port – Designation for Equine (E) animals, Ungulate (U) animals and Other (O) live animals
c. Dublin Airport: - Equine (E) animals, Ungulate (U) animals (Equidae and porcine animals only) and Other (O) live animals (Commercial dogs, cats and ferrets, lagomorphs and rodents, live fish, birds, reptiles and invertebrates)
d. Shannon Airport - Equine (E) animals only and Ungulate (U) animals (Equidae only)
5. Providing all the documentation has been submitted correctly and within the correct timeframes, a large proportion of the documentary check can be commenced in advance of the consignment’s arrival. This includes examination of the veterinary certificate and other documents accompanying a consignment
a. The original hard copy of the health certificate must travel with the consignment, and will be checked and held at the BCP at the point of entry into the EU
6. Provided all is in order with the documentary check, the consignment of live animals will then be subject to an identity check and physical check with/without sampling as appropriate at the BCP.
7. Upon satisfactory completion of the required checks, the decision is entered in Part 2 of the CHED which must accompany the consignment to the first place of destination referred to in the CHED. The consignment of live animals may then circulate freely within the EU.
8. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the consignment may be rejected entry and re-exported or in exceptional circumstances, humanely destroyed if necessary.
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
Only fully domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), cats (Felis catus) and ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) may travel as pets under the pet travel regulation, Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013.
Hybrid animals such as hybrid wolf-dogs, Bengal cats or Savannah cats may only be permitted to travel as a pet under specific circumstances where they are considered domestic.
Restrictions on the movement of these hybrid animals are determined by how closely the hybrid animal is related to the wild parent.
F1 Generation
Hybrid offspring of a cross between a wild animal and a domestic animal are termed an F1 generation and are approx. 50% wild.
F2 Generation
A cross between an F1 animal and a domestic animal is termed an F2 generation animal.
F3 Generation
A cross between an F2 animal and a domestic animal is termed an F3 generation animal, and so on.
If, at any stage, a hybrid animal is crossed with a wild animal, the generation are termed F1 again, as one of their parents is a wild animal.
Regulation (EU) No. 338/97 and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora) rules state that animals within 4 generations of the original wild animal (F1-F4) are considered wild animals and not hybrids.
Therefore, only F5 and higher generations of hybrid may be classed as fully domestic animals eligible to travel under the pet travel regulation mentioned here. Proof of breeding is requested in advance of travel to livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie
The rules on bringing your pet bird, reptile, amphibian, rabbit or rodent into Ireland change depending on the species and the country you are travelling from.
The following rules apply no matter which country you are travelling from.
Your pet must:
- be accompanied by original paperwork, not copies
- arrive in Ireland with you, or within five days before or after you travel (provided it is accompanied by someone else)
You can bring a maximum of five pets into Ireland per person under pet travel rules.
If you are travelling to Ireland to sell your pet, for any change of ownership including rehoming through a charity or gifting, or if the pet is not travelling within five days of your travel, there are different rules. Please contact livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie for further information if required.
A pet bird is a companion bird that travels with the owner (or with a person representing the owner as long as it is within 5 days of the owner), and the movement does not involve any change of ownership, including rehoming or gifting.
Rules for the entry of pet birds into Ireland do not apply to the following bird species. There are other rules that must be followed to bring a bird of these species into Ireland:
- chickens
- turkeys
- guinea fowl
- ducks
- geese
- quails
- pigeons
- partridges
- ratites
Please contact livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie for information about moving with these types of birds.
or see Live Animal Imports: Poultry if coming from outside the EU.
Bringing a pet bird into Ireland from another EU/EEA country or Northern Ireland
You may bring your pet bird to Ireland from another EU country or from Andorra, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Northern Ireland, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland or the Vatican City State if:
• the bird is accompanied by you, or a person acting on your behalf and they are travelling within five days before or after you travel
• you fill in an Owner Declaration Pet Birds EU form for your pet bird, which you must carry with you and your bird adheres to the health requirements
• you fill in and email a Form of Advance Notice of Importation of Pet Birds into Ireland to livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie at least 24 hours in advance of arrival of the bird into Ireland
You must check with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (cites@chg.gov.ie ) if a CITES licence is required to import your bird into Ireland.
Bringing a pet bird into Ireland from a non-EU country, including Great Britain
You may bring no more than five pet birds per person into Ireland from a non-EU country in one consignment. The birds must be individually identified and come with the appropriate health certificate.
Only birds coming from an OIE member country which falls within the competence of a Regional Commission may enter Ireland. Further information regarding the OIE is available here: www.oie.int/about-us/wo/oie-regional-commissions.
Your pet bird must also comply with the rules below before entry into Ireland.
Each bird must:
- have undergone official veterinary isolation for 30 days prior to export at the place of departure (only if the country of origin is listed in Part 1 of Annex I or Part 1 of Annex II to Commission Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 ), OR
- have undergone quarantine for 30 days after import into the Member State of destination on premises approved in accordance with Article 6(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 318/2007, (no such premises are present in Ireland, so your pet bird must quarantine in another EU Member State after entry into the EU) OR
- have been in isolation for at least 10 days prior to export and have undergone a test to detect the avian influenza H5N1 antigen or genome as laid down in the Chapter on avian influenza of the Manual of Diagnostic tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, as regularly updated by the OIE, carried out on a sample taken not earlier than the third day of isolation
Compliance with the above conditions must be certified by an official (State) veterinarian in the non-EU country of origin on an Annex II health certificate.
**You must arrange a compliance check in advance of any movement, this can be arranged by emailing the following points of entry before your travel plan is finalised:
- Dublin Airport petmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Shannon Airport PetsShannon@agriculture.gov.ie
- Cork Airport corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Ringaskiddy port, Cork corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Rosslare Europort rosslare.europort@agriculture.gov.ie
If you have any questions, please contact livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie
You must check with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (cites@chg.gov.ie ) if a CITES licence is required for your bird and if a certificate is required it must be presented at the compliance check. .
Bringing a pet rodent or rabbit into Ireland from another EU/EEA country or Northern Ireland
You can bring a pet rodent or rabbit to Ireland from another EU country or from Andorra, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Northern Ireland, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State if:
• your pet is accompanied by you or travels within 5 days of your travel or travels within 5 days of your travel and is accompanied by someone authorised on your behalf
• you fill in and email an Owner Declaration (below) to livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie at least one working day before the arrival time of your pet in Ireland
• your pet complies with all the health requirements set out in the Owner Declaration
You must fill in and return this form at least one working day before the arrival time of your pet in Ireland.
You must check with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (cites@chg.gov.ie ) if a CITES licence is required for your pet.
Bringing a pet rodent or rabbit from Great Britain
You can bring a pet rodent or rabbit to Ireland from Great Britain if
• your pet is accompanied by you or travels within 5 days of your travel or travels within 5 days of your travel and is accompanied by someone authorised on your behalf
• your pet complies with all the health requirements as set out in the EU Health Certificate
EU Health Certificate for the Movement of Pet Rabbits and Rodents from Great Britain
Download• Your pet travels with the original signed veterinary health certificate, which must be produced on request on arrival into Ireland
• You must check with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (cites@chg.gov.ie ) if a CITES licence is required for your pet well in advance of any travel.
Bringing a pet rodent or rabbit from an other non-EU country
You can bring a pet rodent or rabbit to Ireland from countries outside the EU but you must apply for a permit by filling in and sending an Application to Import pet rabbit or rodent into Ireland from a non EU country to livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie The permit will outline the veterinary health certificate requirements.
You should submit this application 1 – 2 months before your date of travel to Ireland.
An Advance Notice Pet Rodent or Pet Rabbit from a non-EU country is also required (see below).
For any species kept as a pet which is listed on the CITES list of endangered species, you must check with the National Parks and Wildlife Service if a CITES licence is required.
You must fill in and email this form at least one working day before the arrival time of your pet in Ireland.
**You must arrange a compliance check in advance of any movement, this can be arranged by emailing your advance notice form to the following points of entry before your travel plan is finalised:
- Dublin Airport petmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Shannon Airport PetsShannon@agriculture.gov.ie
- Cork Airport corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Ringaskiddy port, Cork corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Rosslare Europort rosslare.europort@agriculture.gov.ie
Send any enquiries to: livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie
You can bring a maximum of five pets into Ireland per person under pet travel rules.
If you are travelling to Ireland to sell your pet, for any change of ownership including rehoming through a charity or gifting, or if the pet is not travelling within five days of your travel, there are different rules. Please contact livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie for further information if required.
For these species you must ensure you have contacted the National Parks and Wildlife Service (cites@chg.gov.ie ) at least one month in advance of any movement to check if a CITES licence is required in advance of any movement.
If you have a pet newt or salamander (or any animal of the order Caudata) please contact livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie for details on how to travel with these species.
Bringing your pet Reptile or amphibian (except newts and salamanders) from another EU country or Northern Ireland
You may bring your pet bird to Ireland from another EU country or from Andorra, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Northern Ireland, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland or the Vatican City State, and each animal must
1. Be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate from a registered veterinary practitioner (signed and stamped) providing the following information:-
i. the scientific name of the animal;
ii. a description of animals including any distinguishing marks and/or identification features included microchip numbers where applicable;
iii. stating that the animal was born in captivity in country of origin;
iv. that it was kept in captivity since birth;
v. that the animal comes from a holding not subject to any animal health restrictions, and
vi. That the animal was subject to a veterinary health examination during the 48 hours prior to departure and found to be free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease and is fit to travel;
Your vet can print out the above details on headed notepaper, fill it in, and sign and stamp the certificate.
2. the animals must be transported in a container which must comply with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations when travelling by air; and
3. the carrier should clean & disinfected prior to use and must be escape proof, secured with a seal or lock and shall contain no hay, straw, peat moss, litter or vegetable matter.
In terms of animal welfare during travel please note Article 9(5) of Council Regulation 338/97 which states:-
1. When any live specimens are transported into, from or within the Community or are held during any period of transit or transhipment, they shall be prepared, moved and cared for in a manner such as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment and, in the case of animals, in conformity with Community legislation on the protection of animals during transport.
Random spot checks will apply to these pets.
Bringing a pet reptile or amphibian (except newts and salamanders) from Great Britain
Please use the EU Health Certificate
EU Health Certificate for the Movement of Pet Reptiles and Amphibians from Great Britain
DownloadThis health cert must travel with the animals and must be produced on request on arrival into Ireland.
For these species you must ensure you have contacted the National Parks and Wildlife Service (cites@chg.gov.ie ) at least one month in advance of any movement to check if a CITES licence is required in advance of any movement.
Bringing a pet reptile or amphibian (except newts and salamanders) from an other non-EU Country
Please follow the rules as for a pet reptile or amphibian from an EU country, but in addition, you must arrange a compliance check in advance of any movement, this can be arranged by emailing your pets details and your travel details to the following points of entry before your travel plan is finalised:
- Dublin Airport petmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Shannon Airport PetsShannon@agriculture.gov.ie
- Cork Airport corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Ringaskiddy port, Cork corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Rosslare Europort rosslare.europort@agriculture.gov.ie
For these species you must ensure you have contacted the National Parks and Wildlife Service (cites@chg.gov.ie ) at least one month in advance of any movement to check if a CITES licence is required in advance of any movement.
The UK’s departure from the EU will result in a change in the rules for pet travel between Ireland and the UK. Pet owners who are considering travelling from Ireland to GB, and then returning to Ireland, after 1 January 2021 are advised to contact their vet at least three months in advance of their travel date to ensure that their pet has the correct documentation. 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
If you are travelling on holiday or relocating with your pet out of Ireland 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.
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. Please read sections above carefully.
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.
For information for pets other than dogs, cats, and ferrets travelling under these circumstances, please contact livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie
Please note: cats, dogs and ferrets travelling unaccompanied, or traded cannot enter Ireland directly from a third country or on a pet health certificate. They must enter the EU through a Border Control Post (BCP).
Movement of cats, dogs and ferrets travelling unaccompanied, or traded, within the EU are subject to the following requirements:-
They must be microchipped
The microchip must be inserted before the rabies vaccination is administered, and must be readable by a device compatible with ISO standard 11785. If the microchip cannot be read when you enter or return to Ireland, your pet could be put into quarantine or refused entry. You may carry your own hand-held scanner if the microchip is not readable by a device compatible with ISO standard 11785.
Have a valid rabies vaccination
The vaccination must be given after the microchip is inserted. The pet must be at least 12 weeks old before the vaccine is given and it must be given by an authorised veterinary practitioner. You must wait until the appropriate immunity has developed, as stated by the datasheet of the vaccination given, which must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given, before you can bring the dog, cat or ferret to Ireland. If the datasheet of the vaccination used says that immunity is not present until day 30 after vaccination, then you must wait 30 days before travel and your vet should record the same in the EU pet passport (if used) and health certificate, before bringing the dog, cat or ferret to Ireland. A rabies vaccination with a 1 year or 3 year validity period is acceptable for entry into Ireland. Booster vaccinations only are exempt from the post vaccine waiting period, if there has been no break in coverage. If there has been a break in coverage, the next vaccination will be considered a primary vaccination, and the appropriate waiting period applies.
Rabies blood test may be required if coming from outside the EU
In the case of unaccompanied animals travelling from a third country into the EU, a successful rabies serological test (blood test) is required if travelling from countries other than:
Ascension Island; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Aruba; Australia; Barbados; Bahrain; Belarus; Bermuda; Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (the BES Islands); Bosnia and Herzegovina; British Virgin Islands; Canada; Cayman Islands; Chile; Curaçao; Fiji; Falkland Islands; French Polynesia; Hong Kong; Jamaica; Japan; Malaysia; Mauritius; Mexico; Montserrat; New Caledonia; New Zealand; North Macedonia, Russia; Saint Helena; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Sint Maarten; Saint Pierre and Miquelon; Singapore; Taiwan; Trinidad and Tobago; United Arab Emirates; United States of America (including American Samoa; Guam; Northern Mariana Islands; Puerto Rico; US Virgin Islands); Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Vanuatu; Wallis and Futuna.
The blood test must be completed at least 30 days after the valid rabies vaccination, and the animal cannot travel for at least 3 months after the blood test, if they pass.
Your vet must send the blood sample to an EU-approved blood testing laboratory that is either inside or outside the EU. Labs can be found here .
The result of the blood test must show that the vaccination was successful (a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml).
Be accompanied by original, signed paperwork
Animals coming from another EU country must be accompanied by a valid pet passport and an Intra Trade Animals Health (TRACES) Certificate.
The TRACES certificate is obtained in the EU country of origin, and completed by an official government vet in the country of origin. A health check on the animal must be carried out by an authorised veterinary practitioner within 48 hours of departure. Please contact the authorities of the country of origin to arrange this.
Unaccompanied cats, dogs or ferrets coming from a non-EU country must be accompanied by a different commercial health certificate and may only enter the EU via an official Border Control Post (BCP). Please contact the BCP directly to arrange this (see next section.)
If coming from outside the EU they must enter through a BCP
There are no BCPs in Ireland for the entry of small animals. Therefore unaccompanied animals originating in a non-EU country may only enter Ireland if they enter a BCP in another EU Member State first. A list of approved BCPs and the species they are approved for can be found here .
The person responsible for the movement must contact the authorities of the BCP to ensure they are aware of all requirements.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
If you are coming from countries other than Finland, Norway, Malta or the UK (before Brexit), a vet must treat your dog for tapeworm (specifically Echinococcus multilocularis) and record the treatment in the pet passport or third-country official veterinary certificate each time you intend to travel to Ireland.
The treatment must contain praziquantel and must be administered by a veterinarian no less than 24 hours (1 day) and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before the scheduled arrival time of the dog in Ireland. Your dog may be refused entry or put into quarantine if you do not follow this rule.
Licenced Transporter and Welfare
Each animal must have access to food and water for the duration of the journey. Detailed guidelines on the welfare of these animals during transport are detailed onTransport of Live Animals
Animals must be consigned out of the EU countries by an approved Type 2 transporter only. For list of type 2 transporters see here.
If you are intending to export dogs, cats or ferrets, your premises must be registered under EU law (“Balai”). Click [external-link LexUriServ.do (europa.eu) | here ]here for Balai Registration of Dog Premises - Application Form.
You will also need to contact your local RVO to arrange for a TRACES certificate to be completed.
Pet Passports - Information for PVP
DownloadPet Travel - for general queries only ( not to book a compliance check )
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Contact details for Dublin Airport
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