Ireland Pet Import Requirements & Vet Timeline
Official pet import rules for bringing a dog or cat into Ireland under DAFM (Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine). Review the rule table below or pick your origin country, airline, breed, and flight date in the calculator to generate your exact paperwork schedule.
Official Ireland Pet Import Rules at a Glance
Summary of DAFM (Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) entry rules for accompanied dogs and cats.
| Import Biosecurity Authority | DAFM (Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) |
|---|---|
| Outbound Export Authority | DAFM Regional Vet Office |
| ISO Microchip Standard | ISO 11784/11785 15-digit (must be implanted on or before rabies vaccination) |
| Primary Rabies Vaccine Wait | Minimum 21 days before arrival |
| Rabies Blood Titer Test (FAVN / RNATT) | Required only when arriving from a High-Risk rabies country (90-day wait after blood draw). Exempt when flying directly from Rabies-Free or Controlled/Low-Risk countries. |
| Dog Tapeworm (Echinococcus) Treatment | Required for dogs: Praziquantel administered strictly 24–120 hours before landing (exempt when arriving directly from: UK, IRELAND, FINLAND, MALTA, NORWAY) |
| Health Certificate & Endorsement Window | EU Non-Commercial Pet Health Certificate (Ireland) — endorsed within 10 days before departure |
| Advance Import Permit | Required (apply at least 14 days before travel) |
| Permitted Aircraft Arrival Mode | Passenger Cabin, Checked Excess Baggage (AVIH), or Manifest Cargo |
| Post-Arrival Quarantine | 0 days (immediate clearance when all pre-arrival rules are met) |
Calculate Your Ireland Pet Travel Timeline
Pre-set for arrival in Ireland. Change your origin country, airline, breed, or departure date below to see your custom schedule.
Enter Your Trip & Pet Details
Choose your origin, destination, airline, breed, and target flight date to get every vet step in reverse order.
Min: 22d • Ideal: 40d
Feasible Timeline: 75 days available (22 days strict minimum)
Starting today gives you sufficient runway to complete Ireland's veterinary sequence, government endorsement via USDA APHIS (VEHCS), and Delta Air Lines pet booking.
Based on 30 kg weight and Delta Air Lines rules, your Golden Retriever must travel on an airway bill via Delta Cargo Variation Live (IATA Series 500 (102 x 69 x 76 cm)) from USA to Ireland.
🌡️ Seasonal Temperature Advisory (January): Cargo embargo when forecasted ground temperature is above 27°C (80°F) or below 7°C (45°F) without acclimation certificate.
Step-by-Step Vet & Travel Schedule
Counting backward from USA (US) Ireland (IE) arrival.
📅 On or before Thu, Dec 24, 2026
Implant or scan-verify a non-encrypted ISO 11784/11785 15-digit. Any rabies vaccination administered BEFORE the microchip implantation date is legally invalid for Ireland.
⚠️ Ensure the exact 15-digit barcode sticker is affixed to all vaccination and health certificates.
📅 No later than Fri, Dec 25, 2026
Administer WHO/WOAH-approved inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine (pet must be >= 12 weeks old). Triggers 21-day primary immunity wait required by DAFM (Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine).
⚠️ Record vaccine manufacturer, product name, batch/lot number, administration date, and valid-until date.
Unlock Full Compliance Packet ($29)
See your exact hour-by-hour tapeworm treatment window, USDA APHIS (VEHCS) endorsement cutoff, Printable Vet Sign-Off PDF, and Apple/Google .ics Calendar Sync with 48-hour alerts.
Includes formal veterinary sign-off boxes, vaccine batch slots, and customs entry instructions.
- Exact 24–120h tapeworm and parasite treatment times
- Printable Vet Sign-Off & 15-Digit Microchip PDF Packet
- One-click .ics Calendar Sync with 48h advance reminders
🛡️ 100% Accuracy Guarantee: If your accredited veterinarian or carrier finds an error in our regulatory calculation, email us for an instant, full refund.
One-time checkout via PayPal or card • Instant PDF & .ics download
Confirm requirements with a government-accredited vet before travel.
Arriving in Ireland: Airport & Customs Checklist
- Submit Advance Notice via DAFM Pet Travel Portal at least 24 hours before arriving at Dublin (DUB) or Shannon (SNN); compliance inspection fee applies.
- Strict Echinococcus tapeworm treatment required 24 to 120 hours prior to scheduled arrival time.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bringing a Pet to Ireland
How far in advance should I start preparing to bring a dog or cat to Ireland?
DAFM (Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) recommends starting at least 40 days before travel. Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit implanted on or before its rabies vaccination, followed by a 21-day primary rabies immunity wait (plus a 90-day FAVN rabies antibody wait where applicable).
Does Ireland require a rabies antibody blood test (FAVN / RNATT)?
Required only when arriving from a High-Risk rabies country (90-day wait after blood draw). Exempt when flying directly from Rabies-Free or Controlled/Low-Risk countries.
Can my dog or cat fly in the passenger cabin into Ireland?
Yes — Ireland allows pets to arrive in the passenger cabin, checked hold (AVIH), or manifest cargo, subject to your airline's weight cap (typically 8 kg including carrier for cabin) and breed rules.
When must the veterinary health certificate be endorsed before flying to Ireland?
Your government-accredited veterinarian must issue "EU Non-Commercial Pet Health Certificate (Ireland)" and obtain official export authority endorsement within 10 days before departure. Dogs must also receive a Praziquantel tapeworm treatment strictly 24 to 120 hours before landing.
Popular Flight Routes into Ireland
- 🇺🇸 Fly a Dog from USA to Ireland on Delta Air Lines
- 🇬🇧 Fly a Dog from United Kingdom to Ireland on Delta Air Lines
- 🇦🇪 Fly a Dog from UAE to Ireland on Delta Air Lines
- 🇩🇪 Fly a Dog from Germany to Ireland on Delta Air Lines
- 🇫🇷 Fly a Dog from France to Ireland on Delta Air Lines
- 🇨🇦 Fly a Dog from Canada to Ireland on Delta Air Lines
- 🇦🇺 Fly a Dog from Australia to Ireland on Delta Air Lines
- 🇯🇵 Fly a Dog from Japan to Ireland on Delta Air Lines