If you are planning a trip to Ireland with a pet, carefully read the rules for bringing pets into the country. Make sure your pet (dog, cat, or ferret) is coming to Ireland on the same flight as you; if the animal is accompanied by an authorized person, it is allowed to enter within 5 days before or after your arrival in the country. It is forbidden to import more than 5 animals by one person.

Pets that come from the EU and other European countries (Andorra, Gibraltar, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Northern Ireland, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican City State) must:

• Be identified by an ISO 11785 microchip (or other standard if you provide a microchip reader);

• Have a valid rabies vaccination, which is given after microchip insertion at 12 weeks of age. The pet is allowed to enter the country if at least 21 days have passed since the vaccination;

• Have a valid pet passport or health certificate;

• Be treated for tapeworm (especially Echinococcus multilocularis) and have a record of the treatment on the pet passport (or animal health certificate). Treatment must be completed at least 24 hours and no more than 120 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. The exceptions are Finland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland – animals from these countries do not need to provide a certificate of treatment.

Animals arriving from the above European countries may enter Ireland through any airport or port.

The basic requirements for EU Member States also apply to pets from other countries. However, animals from third countries can only enter Ireland through certain ports and airports. These are Cork Airport, Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, Shannon Airport, the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy and Rosslare Europort.

Another important requirement for pets from third countries is to arrange checks in advance at one of the ports/ airports of arrival. For this, you must send an advance notice in a special form to the port/ airport through which you intend to enter the country. The notice must indicate the date and time of arrival; the airport; the name and contact telephone number of the person accompanying the pet; ferry or flight number; the number of animals to be checked; and documents proving the identity of the pet. You can find the template for this notice here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e454d-advance-notice/

Animals that do not meet established standards may be quarantined for necessary treatment or, as a last resort, euthanized. These measures will be carried out at the expense of the pet owner.

If you have any questions, you can read more about the pet import policy on the official website of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine or contact them by email: livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie