Bringing Pets To: Ireland

• For importing your pet into Ireland, they must be identified by a microchip that complies with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785.
• Ireland accepts AVID 9 and AVID 10 in addition to ISO.
• The microchip must be implanted before administering the rabies vaccine, as no other form of identification is acceptable.
• In addition, all pets must have an original Rabies Certificate signed by the veterinarian. The Rabies vaccine must be at least 21 days old during the final health examination.

The following details are important to note about the rabies vaccine:

• Pets may be transported to Ireland with a current one-year vaccine (also known as a “primary” vaccine).
• Pets may be transported to Ireland with a 3-year vaccine administered less than a year ago (otherwise, it may be considered a booster).

It is also recommended that pets receive additional vaccines, including:

• Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DHLPP) and Bordetella.
• Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP).

These vaccines should be valid at the time of import and administered no less than two weeks before the export date for maximum effectiveness.

EU Health Certificate

• Your dedicated relocation coordinator will provide you with a standard EU Health Certificate that should be filled out by an accredited veterinarian.
• The certificate must be signed in a different color than that of the certificate's printing (usually blue ink).
• This certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the checks at the EU point of entry.
• For the purpose of further movements within the EU, it is valid for up to four months from the date of issue.

USDA Endorsements

To ensure the smooth transport of your pet, the following forms must be sent to your local USDA for their stamp of approval:

• Microchip Implantation Record
• Rabies Certificate
• EU Vet Health Certificate
• Airline Health Certificate

Make sure to check with your vet if they have these forms in stock. The international health certificate should be completed by your vet within 10 days of departure.

• However, the timeframe for this changes in the context of a commercial move. Please read below for more information on the 5-day rule and commercial move requirements.

EU 5-Day Rule

If your dog or cat is being transported “non-commercially,” they must fly within five days of their owner. If you cannot meet this 5-Day Rule, the move can still be carried out, but it will be considered a commercial move, which increases costs and changes the EU import requirements and timeline. In such cases, you will need to meet stricter import requirements. 

Specific Breed Rules

While the following breeds are not banned, they need to adhere to specific rules when entering Ireland:

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Bull Mastiff
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• English Bull Terrier
• Doberman Pinscher
• German Shepherd
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Rottweiler
• Japanese Akita
• Japanese Tosa

Unlisted Countries and Additional Requirements

If you come from an "unlisted country", your pet will require a rabies antibody test known as a titer.

To satisfy this requirement, you must follow the steps outlined below:

• Microchip and rabies vaccination (administered at least 30 days before blood draw)
• Rabies antibody test performed by an accredited veterinarian and sent to an EU-approved laboratory.
• Before completing export paperwork, you must wait 90 days after the blood draw (assuming a passing result).

Find out if your origin country is listed here.