Sarah · with Cooper (Golden Retriever, 30kg) “I've relocated internationally 3 times with Cooper.” Meet all guides →
About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Sarah is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Moving to Ireland with a dog? Here's what I wish someone had told me: quarantine is genuinely required, and that single fact changes your whole timeline. Cooper has done big international moves three times now, so I know how much calmer you feel once you understand the rules early. Ireland is very doable. Start with the microchip and rabies steps, work backward from your date, and you'll be fine.
Bringing a pet to Ireland requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
How Ireland handles your pet
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs
Conditional requirements
These rules apply only to pets with a specific travel history. Most travelers can ignore them — but if one applies to you, skipping it can mean denied entry.
Pet arriving from an unlisted (non-Annex II) third country — If your pet has been in one of 111 higher-risk countries in the last 6 months:
Rabies titer (blood) test: Required
Breed restrictions
Restricted breeds: American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bandog verified 2026-07-20
Ports of entry (6)
Cork Airport
Dublin Airport
Dublin Port
Shannon Airport
Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy
Rosslare Europort
verified 2026-08-27
The microchip must be inserted before the rabies vaccination is administered. A vaccination given first will not count, forcing a repeat of the entire sequence. Confirm the chip is placed and recorded, then schedule the rabies shot afterward. Verify the chip reads to ISO standard 11785 so Irish scanners can detect it. Order matters more than speed here.
Ireland restricts specific dog breeds, including the American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepherd (Alsatian), and Japanese Akita. Check whether a breed appears on this restricted list before booking travel. A dog matching one of these types faces additional entry conditions. Confirm the breed classification on official documentation ahead of departure to avoid refusal at the border.
Ireland applies a quarantine period of 3 days for qualifying arrivals. Budget for boarding fees covering those 3 days plus any facility handling charges. Reserve a quarantine slot in advance rather than at arrival. Factor the 3-day duration into the travel schedule so onward plans account for the delay. Request a written cost quote from the approved facility before committing to dates.
You've got this. Ireland asks for a few firm steps, but they follow a clear order once you map them out. Cooper's moves taught me that a written checklist beats worrying every time. Let Pawgo build you a personalized plan for your exact route, breed, and dates, so nothing slips through. Enter your details, get your step-by-step plan, and start the countdown with confidence instead of guesswork.
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: August 29, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ireland require rabies vaccination for dogs?
Yes, Ireland requires a rabies vaccination for imported dogs. There is a 21-day waiting period after vaccination. Exact timing depends on your origin country — compute your timeline at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Ireland require a microchip for pets?
Yes, Ireland requires an ISO-compliant microchip. The microchip must typically be implanted before rabies vaccination. Get your full checklist at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
What health certificate does Ireland require for pets?
Ireland requires a veterinary health certificate for imported pets. It must be issued within 10 days of travel. Government endorsement is required. Get exact document requirements at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Ireland require a rabies titer test?
It depends where you travel from. Coming from the EU or a listed (Annex II) country, no titer test is required. It is only required for a pet arriving from an unlisted third country: blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, from an approved lab. Plan your timeline at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does my pet need a microchip for Ireland?
Yes. Ireland requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid.Build my pet's travel plan →
How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for Ireland?
The rabies vaccine must take effect at least 21 days before entry, and can be given from 12 weeks of age. Travelling before that window makes the vaccination invalid at the border.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Ireland require a rabies antibody (titer) test?
Only for pets arriving from a country not on the EU's listed (Annex II) countries. Those pets need a rabies antibody titer test from an approved lab. Pets from EU or listed countries do not.Build my pet's travel plan →
What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.Build my pet's travel plan →
What happens if I forget a document?
At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.Build my pet's travel plan →
Traveling to Ireland?
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