Your pet’s safe trip

From the rolling green hills of County Kerry to the lively streets of Dublin, Ireland is a wonderful place to call home—for both humans and their pets. But before your pet can enjoy the Emerald Isle, you’ll need to ensure all import requirements are met. Ireland is part of the European Union and follows strict pet import rules to maintain its disease-free status. Here’s what you need to know to get your furry friend safely and legally to Ireland.

Ireland is classified as a “rabies-controlled” country under EU law, meaning pets entering from the United States must meet several health and documentation requirements. Thankfully, Ireland allows pets to arrive without quarantine if everything is done correctly.

✅ Microchip

Your pet must be microchipped with a 15-digit ISO-compliant microchip before any rabies vaccine is administered. This microchip will be scanned upon arrival.

💉 Rabies Vaccination

• Must be given after the microchip is implanted.

• Must be at least 21 days old at the time of travel.

• Must be valid at the time of travel (not expired).

• Only inactivated rabies vaccines are accepted.

Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the rabies vaccine and cannot travel until 21 days after that first valid shot.

Other Vaccinations

Ireland does not require pets to have any vaccinations other than rabies. However, we recommend that you ask your new Irish veterinarian about locally-specific immunizations or preventative treatments your pet should get.

It is recommended that cats and dogs are vaccinated for the following. Do note that if your pet will be boarding, these vaccinations will be required.

• Dogs: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus), Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Leptospirosis, CIV (Canine Influenza Virus)
• Cats: FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia), Feline Leukemia

Blood Tests

Ireland does not require any additional blood tests for cats, dogs, or ferrets unless your pet is traveling from an "unlisted" country.

If your pet is traveling from an "unlisted" country, then a rabies titer blood test will be required. The rabies titer test must be completed at least 30 days after their rabies vaccination and at least 3 months before traveling to the EU. This test must be completed by an authorized (USDA-Accredited) vet and the sample must be sent to an EU approved laboratory.

Tapeworm Treatment

Unlike most EU countries, Ireland does require dogs to be treated for tapeworms prior to entering the country. Your dog must be treated by a USDA-accredited vet between 1-5 days before their arrival in Ireland, using a product labeled effective against tapeworms (Echinococcus multilocaris). The preferred product is praziquantel. This can be done either before or after your dog’s health certificate is endorsed by the USDA, but it must be reported on the health certificate.

📄 EU Health Certificate

U.S. pets must travel with an EU-compliant health certificate, also known as an Annex IV form.

The requirements outlined below apply to pets entering Ireland within 5 days before or after your own arrival date, as long as you have fewer than 5 pets total. This is the case for most families. If you and your pet(s) will be traveling on the same flight or if you will be traveling separately but within the 5-day window noted, the appropriate health certificates can be found on the USDA website.

If you will be traveling with more than 5 pets, or if your pet(s) will arrive in Ireland outside the 5-day window noted above, then you must use a “commercial” health certificate. It doesn’t matter whether you’re making the arrangements yourself or our Starwood Pet Travel team is handling the details for you. The commercial health certificate can only be completed within 48 hours prior to your pet's departure.

The health certificate must be filled out and signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and then endorsed (counter-signed and stamped or embossed) by the USDA APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer in your state. Belgium will allow the accredited vet to complete/sign the health certificate electronically, but the USDA must use a real-ink signature and emboss the paperwork. This document must be completed within 10 days prior to your pet’s arrival in Ireland. 

Import Permit

Ireland does not require a separate import permit for pets.

🧳 Arrival in Ireland

• Pets must arrive through an approved Travellers’ Point of Entry, such as Dublin (DUB), Shannon (SNN), or Cork (ORK).

• Upon arrival, your pet will be scanned for a microchip and documents will be reviewed.

• You must give advance notice to the Irish Department of Agriculture at least 24 hours before arrival using their official pre-notification form (available online).

Ireland does not ban any breeds outright, but it has strict rules for certain “restricted breeds,” including:

• American Pit Bull Terrier

• English Bull Terrier

• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

• Rottweiler

• Japanese Akita

• Doberman Pinscher

• German Shepherd

• Rhodesian Ridgeback

• Bandog

Restricted breeds must:

• Be leashed (under 2 meters) and muzzled in public

• Be handled by someone over 16 years old

• Be well-controlled at all times

These rules apply in public places only—not in private homes or fenced gardens.

Our Ireland pet shipping services include:

• Door-to-door transport
• Assistance with health certificates, import certificates, and other travel documents needed for animal transport to Ireland (outlined above)
• USDA endorsement and consular legalization (when needed) of all relevant documents where required
• Airline-approved flight kennels provided with personalized labels, identification and emergency notification instructions
• Customs clearance and delivery to your home
• Local pet taxi service to and from the airport, your home, veterinarian, kennel, or groomer – available in major Ireland cities as well as their surrounding areas
• Travel consultation and flight reservations

We will inform you of your pet's full itinerary before the trip and we will update you as your pet travels to Ireland.