Taking your dog or cat to Ireland from the UK: dated AHC timeline
Ireland has one extra rule most other EU destinations don't: dogs need a tapeworm treatment BEFORE they arrive, not just before they come home. Enter your travel date below and get the exact dates to book, working backward from your trip.
Entry requirements for pets travelling to Ireland
- Your pet needs an ISO-compliant microchip, implanted before their rabies vaccination.
- Rabies vaccination must be at least 21 clear days old before travel (first travel-eligible day is day 22 after the injection).
- The AHC must be issued by an Official Vet (OV) no more than 10 days before you travel.
- Dogs need tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours BEFORE ARRIVAL in Ireland — this is the inbound rule that also applies to Finland, Malta and Norway, but not to most other EU countries. Get this stamped by your vet before you set off, not after you land.
- Dogs also need a separate tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before you return to the UK — two treatments on a there-and-back trip, timed around each crossing.
Getting to Ireland: ferry, rail and flights
Ireland is commonly reached by sea as well as air. The Holyhead-Dublin ferry is a popular pet-friendly route, often combined with rail travel across Wales or the Eurotunnel/rail options through mainland Europe if travelling onward. Whichever route you take, the AHC, rabies-wait and inbound tapeworm rules are identical — check your specific carrier's pet policy for cabin/vehicle-deck requirements.
AHC timeline calculator — Ireland
Destination is preselected to Ireland. Dogs, cats and ferrets.
Ireland — frequently asked questions
Does my dog need tapeworm treatment to enter Ireland?
Yes. Ireland is one of four destinations (with Finland, Malta and Norway) that requires dogs to have a vet-administered tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours BEFORE ARRIVAL, in addition to the treatment needed before you return to the UK.
Can I take my pet to Ireland by ferry instead of flying?
Yes. The Holyhead-Dublin ferry is a common pet-travel route to Ireland, alongside direct flights and rail-plus-ferry combinations via Wales. The same AHC, rabies-wait and inbound tapeworm rules apply regardless of route.
Is Ireland's pet travel process different from other EU countries?
The AHC and 21-day rabies wait are the same as any EU destination. The difference is the inbound tapeworm treatment — most EU countries don't require it on arrival, but Ireland, Finland, Malta and Norway do.