Resources
Pet Passport
The EU ‘pet passport scheme’ was established to facilitate easier travel for pets between European countries. These passports are only valid in EU member states.
To transport your pet into or out of Ireland, the following are required:
- A registered microchip
- An up-to-date rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before travel) for pets over 3 months old
- A passport, which we can apply for on your behalf
- Appropriate anti-parasite treatments administered and recorded by a vet
Dogs traveling to Ireland from mainland EU must visit a vet 1-5 days before re-entry for a tapeworm treatment, which must be recorded in their passport. This measure prevents the introduction of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis into Ireland. While harmless to dogs, this tapeworm can cause serious illness and even death in humans. Ireland is currently free of this disease, and we aim to keep this parasite out of Ireland.
It is also strongly recommended that your pet be treated for ticks at the same time as the tapeworm treatment.
Due to Brexit, tapeworm treatment is required for dogs traveling between Ireland and the UK, and your pet still needs a Pet Passport for travel to/from the UK.
Failure to comply with the EU Pet Passport Scheme can result in your pet being placed in quarantine either before or after your travel.
For comprehensive details, visit the Department of Agriculture’s website https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/21d40-pet-travel/
If you plan to travel outside Europe with your pet, you must check the entry requirements of the destination country in advance. Each country has its own import regulations. It can be very complex, time consuming and expensive to transport your dog to countries such as Australia, New Zealand & South Africa. Therefore, if this is a possibility, plan and research long before the intended trip.
For more information on your pet’s EU passport or travel outside the EU, please contact us.
