Planning to relocate your cat or dog to Ireland? Whether you’re moving for work, family, or a new adventure, navigating international pet travel can feel overwhelming. But with the right preparation and paperwork, your furry friend can arrive in Ireland safely and stress-free.
This guide covers everything you need to know about pet relocation to Ireland—including microchip rules, rabies vaccinations, health certificates, and choosing the right travel crate.
Did you know? If you’re transporting your pet from a high-risk rabies country, it can take up to 3–4 months before they’re eligible to enter Ireland.
Need expert help? Save time and stress. Fill out our easy Request a Quote form, and a member of our team will reach out to help plan your pet’s move to Ireland.
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Microchip Identification
Your cat or dog must be microchipped with a 15-digit, ISO-compliant microchip before receiving their most recent rabies vaccination.
Pro tip: Ask your veterinarian to scan the chip at every appointment to ensure it’s working and matches all official documents. If the chip cannot be read or is incorrectly recorded, this could cause travel delays.
Rabies Vaccination
- The rabies vaccine must be at least 21 days old and valid at the time of entry into Ireland.
- 3-year rabies vaccines are accepted, as long as there has never been a lapse in coverage.
- Pets must be at least 12 weeks old before being vaccinated.
Coming from a high-risk rabies country? Your pet’s rabies vaccine must be older than 30 days before their rabies titre (blood) test.
Blood Test (high-risk rabies country only)
If you’re relocating from a high-risk country, a government-accredited vet must collect a blood sample 30+ days after your pet’s latest rabies shot.
- Results may take 4–6+ weeks.
- Your pet becomes eligible to enter Ireland three months after the sample date (if results pass).
Tapeworm Treatment (Dogs ONLY)
Dogs must receive a tapeworm treatment 1–5 days before entering Ireland. This treatment must be recorded on the EU Health Certificate.
Irish EU Health Certificate
A Government-Accredited Veterinarian must examine your pet and issue the Irish EU Health Certificate within:
- 10 days before travel (for most countries)
- Or 1–10 days, depending on origin
If you’re moving a dog, make sure the tapeworm treatment is documented on the certificate.
Need help with timelines? Our Pet Relocation Counselors can coordinate everything for you.
Fit to Fly Certificate
Your veterinarian must also complete a Fit-to-Fly Certificate within 10 days of departure. If you’re working with WorldCare Pet Transport, we’ll assist your vet with all required documentation.
Choosing an IATA-Approved Travel Crate
Your cat or dog must travel in an IATA-approved crate to meet airline safety standards and ensure comfort. Incorrect sizing is a common reason pets are denied boarding.
Need help selecting the right size? Check out our blog post on choosing the right pet travel crate.
Restricted Breeds
As of February 1, 2025, it is illegal to own an XL Bully dog in Ireland without a Certificate of Exemption.
The following dog breeds (and their crossbreeds) are restricted and must follow specific rules:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- English Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Bull Mastiff
- Dobermann Pinscher
- German Shepherd (Alsatian)
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Rottweiler
- Japanese Akita
- Japanese Tosa
- Bandog
Rules for restricted breeds:
- Must wear a muzzle in public
- Must be on a short, strong leash
- Must be handled by someone over 16
- Must wear a collar with your name and address
Note: Greyhounds are not restricted but must be leashed and you may not walk more than 4 at a time.
Success Story: Mhysa & Rev’s Happy Journey to Ireland
Meet Mhysa and Rev, two Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers who relocated from the USA to Ireland with our help!
“The entire team of people involved in getting our dogs from Chicago to Dublin were all absolutely amazing. Ava was extremely responsive and detail-oriented. Her response time to emails was reassuring and her attention to detail was above and beyond. Thank you all for your help—we are forever grateful.”
— Thurow Family, USA to Ireland
Final Checklist for Moving a Cat or Dog to Ireland
- Microchip (ISO-compliant)
- Rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old)
- Rabies titre test (if required)
- Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)
- Irish EU Health Certificate
- Fit-to-Fly Certificate
- IATA-approved travel crate
Need Help with Pet Transport to Ireland?
Relocating a pet internationally is complicated—but you don’t have to do it alone. Our experienced Pet Relocation Specialists are here to guide you every step of the way.
Request a Free Quote Today and make your pet’s move to Ireland safe, smooth, and stress-free.
Safe travels to you and your furry friend!