Changes to Entry Requirements from 1 January 2012 (except from the UK)

Requirements for entry or re-entry of dogs, cats and ferrets into Ireland from a country outside of the EU (or certain non-EU European countries¹

Accompanied pets travelling into Ireland from a country outside the EU can be divided into two 1.) those travelling from a qualifying (lower risk) country or (2.) those travelling from a non-qualifying (higher risk) country. Click here for the list of the qualifying (lower-risk) countries. If your country of origin is outside of the EU and not on this list, then it is a non-qualifying country.

1. Requirements for entry or re-entry into Ireland from a qualifying (lower-risk) country:

Accompanied pets must have an EU Pet Passport or a Veterinary Certificate certifying microchip identification and subsequent rabies vaccination at least 21 days before entry into Ireland. Dogs must also be treated for the tapeworm Echinococcus.

EU Pet Passport/Veterinary Certificate:

The EU Pet Passport is issued by the EU Member States where the pet is resident. Irish residents can apply directly to this Department for an EU Pet Passport. Click here for details regarding application for an EU Pet Passport.

Pets which are ordinarily resident in Non-EU countries must complete the VETERINARY CERTIFICATE FOR DOMESTIC DOGS, CATS AND FERRETS ENTERING THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY FOR NON-COMMERCIAL MOVEMENTS (Regulation (EC) No 998/2003). Click here to down load the Veterinary Health Certificate.

Identification:

Pets must be identified by either microchip or a clearly readable tattoo - however the tattoo must have been applied before 3 July 2011. The date of microchipping or the date of application of the tattoo must be in the passport or on the Veterinary Certificate. The microchip should comply with ISO standards 11784 or 11785.

Rabies vaccination:

The date of the primary rabies vaccination must not precede the date of identification. This primary vaccination (i.e. first vaccination following identification) must have been administered at least 21 days before arrival in Ireland.

The rabies vaccine must be administered in accordance with Regulation (EC) 998/2003 - your veterinary practitioner will advise.

The 21 day period does not apply to revaccinations/booster vaccinations, provided there has been no break in vaccination history. If there has been a break in vaccination, the booster vaccination is considered the primary vaccination and a period of 21 days must have passed since its administration.

Whether the most recent rabies vaccination has been a primary or booster vaccine, it must still be within its 'valid until' date as indicated in the passport.

Vaccination details on the passport must include name of vaccine, vaccination date and valid until date. Details must be endorsed by a veterinarian by signature and stamp.

Tick & tapeworm treatments:

Echinococcus (tapeworm) treatment applies only to dogs - dogs must be treated not more than 120 hours (5 days) and not less than 24 hours (1 day) prior to scheduled arrival time in Ireland.

Echinococcus treatment details in the passport/certificate must include name, date, and time of treatment. Details must be endorsed by a veterinarian by signature and stamp.

Note - while treatment against ticks is no longer a compulsory requirement, travellers are advised, on animal and human health grounds, to avail of tick treatment for their dogs when getting the tapeworm treatment.

Travel arrangements from all countries outside of the EU or certain non-EU European countries¹:

Pets can travel into Ireland on an Approved airline (click here to see approved airlines) or owners may apply to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a Prior Approval (click here for detailed Prior Approval conditions and Prior Approval Application form).
Entry into Ireland will be by airline into Dublin Airport only, pets must be transported as cargo with an Airway bill, and transferred to the quarantine facility acting on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine for inspection. Arrangements, including costs, will be a matter for the pet owner.
Original passport/veterinary health certificate must be available for inspection.

Inspection will take place on the day of arrival and usually within an hour or so of arrival at the quarantine facility.

Non-compliant pets:

Where checks reveal that the pet does not meet the requirements for entry into Ireland this Department may decide to:

(a)    return the pet to its country of origin
(b)    quarantine the pet for the time necessary for it to meet the health requirements up to a maximum of 21 days, at the expense of the owner
(c)    as a last resort, put the animal down, without financial compensation.

¹Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Croatia, The Vatican, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Andorra, San Marino

2. Requirements for entry or re-entry into Ireland from a non-qualifying (higher-risk) country:

Accompanied pets must have an EU Pet Passport or Veterinary Certificate certifying microchip identification, subsequent rabies vaccination and a successful blood test at least 30 days post vaccination and at least 3 months before entry into Ireland.

EU Pet Passport/Veterinary Certificate:

Identification:

Pets must be identified by either microchip or a clearly readable tattoo - however the tattoo must have been applied before 3 July 2011. The date of microchipping or the date of application of the tattoo must be in the passport or on the Veterinary Certificate. The microchip should comply with ISO standards 11784 or 11785.

Rabies vaccination:

The date of the primary rabies vaccination must not precede the date of identification.
The rabies vaccine must be in accordance with Regulation (EC) 998/2003 - your veterinary practitioner will advise.
Pets can travel on revaccinations/booster vaccinations, provided there has been no break in vaccination history. If there has been a break in vaccination, the booster vaccination is considered the primary vaccination.
Whether the most recent rabies vaccination has been a primary or booster vaccine, it must still be within its 'valid until' date as indicated in the passport/Veterinary Certificate. Vaccination details on the Passport/Certificate must include name of vaccine, vaccination date and valid until date. Details must be endorsed by a veterinarian by signature and stamp.

Blood test:

At least 30 days after rabies vaccination a pet must be blood tested to confirm a neutralising antibody titration at least equal to 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be carried out in a laboratory approved for this purpose - click here for list of approved laboratories.

A pet may enter Ireland when at least three months has expired since a successful blood-test. This provision is to ensure that the pet is not incubating rabies. If the pet has had a break in its vaccinations and has had to repeat the blood-test, three months must pass from the date of the most recent test before a pet can enter Ireland.

The 3 month wait does not apply to re-entry if the blood test was carried out prior to a pet leaving the EU.

Tick & tapeworm treatments:

Echinococcus (tapeworm) treatment applies only to dogs - dogs must be treated not more than 120 hours (5 days) and not less than 24 hours (1 day) prior to scheduled arrival time in Ireland.

Echinococcus treatment details in the passport/certificate must include name, date, and time of treatment. Details must be endorsed by a veterinarian by signature and stamp.

Travel arrangements from all countries outside of the EU:

Pets can travel into Ireland on an Approved airline (click here to see approved airlines) or owners may apply to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a Prior Approval (click here for detailed conditions and application form).
Entry into Ireland will be by airline into Dublin Airport only, pets must be transported as cargo with an Airway bill, and transferred to the quarantine facility operating on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for inspection. Arrangements, including costs, will be a matter for the pet owner.
Original passport/veterinary health certificate must be available for inspection.

Inspection will take place on the day of arrival and usually within an hour or so of arrival at the quarantine facility.

Non-compliant pets:

Where checks reveal that the pet does not meet the requirements for entry into Ireland this Department may decide to:

(a) return the pet to its country of origin
(b) quarantine the pet for the time necessary for it to meet the health requirements up toa maximum of 4 months, at the expense of the owner
(c) as a last resort, put the animal down, without financial compensation.