Ireland, Republic of

Pet Entry Requirements for Ireland, Republic of

Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Ireland, Republic of?

What Additional Information Do I Need for Ireland, Republic of?

• Pets in Ireland:

  Ireland is a pet-friendly nation with robust infrastructure, comprehensive regulations, and a supportive community for pet owners. The most common pets in Ireland are dogs and cats, followed by birds, hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs. Ireland has a high standard of veterinary care, with many clinics and hospitals available. Pet owners are encouraged to ensure their animals are well-cared for and adhere to legal requirements regarding pet microchipping and vaccination. Ireland has strict regulations for bringing pets into the country to prevent the introduction of diseases like rabies.

• Other information:

  Not specified

• What is a pet passport?:

  We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Ireland pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering this country from non-EU countries.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter the Republic of Ireland will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and one of the following: An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU or Northern Ireland pets)An EU Health Certificate (non-EU-resident pets)A government-issued Pet Passport from a part 1 listed third country (see EU COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS)An Animal Health Certificate when entering Ireland from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales). UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.

• Entering Ireland with a Pet:

  All dogs, cats and ferrets entering Ireland from outside of the European Union by air must provide advance notice to the Department of Agriculture in Ireland. Accompanied pets entering by air from inside the EU can enter Ireland at any airport. All pets from outside the EU should enter Ireland at Cork Airport, Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Dublin Port and the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, or Rosslare Europort unless they meet the requirements of a service dog. Pets entering Ireland by air can enter according to their airline’s pet policies (checked baggage or air cargo). All live animals should enter Ireland directly or transit through an EU Member State, or part 1 or 2 listed third country if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. This statement must attest that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply, and layovers should accommodate possible customs clearance. All commercial transports, whether by air or land must be preregistered in the TRACES database and the responsible transporter must be registered in this system. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Ireland. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

• Find a Licensed Veterinarian:

  Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

• Ireland Pet Import Requirements:

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

• Breeds Banned from Import to Ireland:

  The following breeds of dogs or their crosses are not banned but are controlled while in Ireland, namely the American Pit Bull Terrier; English Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier; Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd (Alsatian,), Rhodesian Ridgeback; Rottweiler; Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa and to every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog). The owner is responsible for their pet’s actions and are liable for injuries or attacks. In public places, they must be on a strong, short lead. The person holding your pet must be over 16 years old, and your dog must be muzzled. The court, if they deem the dog as dangerous, has the power to have your dog destroyed.

• Exporting Resident Pets from Ireland:

  All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Ireland for another EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies (in that order) and wait for 21 days before leaving Ireland after primary vaccination. If your pet will visit, transit or enter an unlisted country, a veterinarian in Ireland should administer a rabies titer test before leaving Ireland if your pet will be returning. Even if your pet is not entering an unlisted country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your pet’s destination country. Exporters of pets must contact the Regional Veterinary office well in advance of travel. All animals leaving Ireland for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate and regulations in accordance with the requirements of their destination country.

• Quarantine for Pets Entering Ireland:

  There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Ireland if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

• Importing Other Pet Animals to Ireland:

  All other pets entering Ireland can do so under non-commercial regulations if they are accompanied by their owner and number less than five per owner.

• Pet-Friendly Airlines Flying to Ireland:

  Commercial airlines which serve pets flying to Dublin: Aegean, Aer Lingus, airBaltic, Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Egyptair, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Iberia Express, Icelandair (cargo), KLM, Lufthasa, Norwegian, Pegasus, Qatar, Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TUI Airways, Turkish Airlines and Vueling. Flights to Ireland should be direct or transit through a listed third country or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required attesting that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

• Importing Puppies and Kittens to Ireland:

  Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter Ireland from any country. Although your puppy or kitten can be microchipped at 8 weeks of age, rabies vaccinations must not be administered prior to 12 weeks of age. There is a 21-day wait for puppies and kittens over 12 weeks of age arriving from EU Member States or part 1 or 2 listed third countries. The minimum age for entering Austria from an unlisted country is 7 months of age. Related: More information ontransporting a puppy

• Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements:

  These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO IRELAND below.

• Importing Pets to Ireland from Malaysia and Australia:

  If your pet is entering Ireland from peninsular Malaysia, the following additional conditions must be met: Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.Your pet has been tested with negative a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within ten days of export. Cats may only enter Ireland from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

  Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat and very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:Read more about CITES

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