Ireland

Bringing your pet dog or cat to Ireland.

Exact requirements depend on where you are traveling from and your pet type.

Ireland

Europe · Last verified: 24 August 2026

Official Guidance

Entry Requirements

  • Dogs and cats

    Ireland applies the EU pet travel rules to non-commercial movements of dogs and cats. The animal must travel with its owner or an authorised person and must not be moved for sale or a change of ownership.

  • Travelling with the owner

    Pets should travel with their owner. If an authorised person travels with the pet instead, the owner's own journey must take place within five days before or after the pet's journey.

  • Maximum of five pets

    Non-commercial pet travel is normally limited to a maximum of five dogs or cats. More than five may travel under the non-commercial rules only for competitions, exhibitions, sporting events or related training.

  • Tapeworm treatment for dogs

    Dogs travelling to Ireland must be treated against Echinococcus multilocularis between 24 and 120 hours before entry, unless an exemption applies. The treatment must be given by a veterinarian and recorded in the pet's travel document. Cats do not require this treatment.

    Exception

    Dogs travelling directly from Finland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland do not require this treatment.

    Learn more

Official Sources

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine — Pet travelOfficial Irish guidance for travelling with petsEuropean Commission — Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU countryNon-EU origin pet travel rulesEuropean Commission — Dogs and catsOfficial EU rules for the non-commercial movement of pets

Last verified: 24 August 2026. Entry rules can change — confirm with the official authorities before you travel.

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