Animal health & welfare

EU pet passport & pet travel

• Introduction
• Get a Pet Passport
• Travel to Ireland with a Pet Passport (except UK)
• Qualifying Countries & Territories
• Approved Pet Carriers & Routes
• Entry of pets under Prior Approval System
• Approved Laboratories
• Import Rules for Non-Qualifying Countries
• Import Rules for Qualifying Countries
• Legislation
• Exotic Diseases

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Introduction to the EU pet passport

Ireland has been free of rabies for over one hundred years. To maintain this status national legislation required all pet dogs or cats brought into Ireland, other than pets coming from the UK - which is also free of rabies, to undergo six months quarantine.

However, from 3 July 2004, a new harmonised system covering the non-commercial movement of pet dogs and cats has now been agreed for all of the European Union. Under this new system it will be possible, subject to certain conditions, to bring pet dogs and cats directly into Ireland from a range of qualifying countries deemed low risk for rabies (qualifying countries) provided that certain conditions are met.

From that date pet dogs and cats may travel directly into Ireland provided that:

• The animal is travelling from an eligible country.
• The animal is identified by means of a microchip.
• The animal has been vaccinated against rabies.
• The animal has been successfully blood-tested for antibodies at least six months before entry into Ireland.
• The animal has been correctly treated for tick and tapeworm.

Evidence that an animal complies with the last four conditions above will be contained in a Passport, a document standardised throughout the EU.

In addition to the requirements set out above it will also be necessary to travel on an approved carrier on an approved route.

Transport companies and specific routes will be approved by the Department of Agriculture and Food. See List of Approved Carriers for details.

Detailed rules are contained in Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals. See also under Legislation.

Pets originating in the EU and travelling within the EU must be accompanied by an EU Pet Passport, a model can be seen in the Annex to Commission Decision 2003/803/EC. See also under Legislation.

Click here to apply for an EU Pet Passport in Ireland.

Pets travelling from qualifying Third Countries (non-European Union countries) must be accompanied by a Veterinary Certificate titled "Veterinary Certificate for the Domestic Dogs, Cats and Ferrets entering the European Community for non-commercial movements". A model can be seen in Commission Decision 2004/824/EC. This Veterinary Certificate is available from your own Competent Authority or from the European Union website.

Pet dogs and cats originating in non-qualifying countries and travelling directly into Ireland will continue to be subject to an import licence and six months quarantine in a public quarantine facility.

Click here for detailed conditions and application forms

Last updated: 17/10/2008