Bringing Your Pet to Dublin, Step by Step
Relocating a pet to Dublin involves navigating the EU’s pet travel requirements, plus a few extra steps that Ireland adds, from tapeworm treatment for dogs to advance notice before arrival. Starwood Pet Travel handles every step of this process for you. We coordinate with airlines, ground handlers, and Irish officials to make sure your dog or cat arrives safely and on schedule.
Whether you’re moving to Dublin for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in Ireland, our team manages the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Airports Serving Dublin
Recommended
CPH
Scandinavia's largest airport and SAS's main hub
- Distance from city center5 miles (8 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, a designated Traveller's Point of Entry for pets
- Direct flights from US hubsYes, from multiple major hubs
- Best forMost pet relocations to Copenhagen
BLL
Billund, in central Jutland
- Distance from city center160 miles (260 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, a designated Traveller's Point of Entry for pets
- Direct flights from US hubsNo
- Best forRelocations to western Denmark
i
Why airport choice matters
Pets coming to Ireland from outside the EU may only enter through approved points: Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Cork Airport, Dublin Port, Rosslare Europort, or the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy. Dublin has the widest choice of nonstop US flights and sits just north of the city. Starwood routes most Dublin relocations directly into DUB, choosing a nonstop flight whenever the airline and schedule allow, or a connection through a major European hub when that’s the safer option for your pet.
Traveling to or from Dublin with Pets
What Are the Requirements to Bring My Pet to Dublin?
Ireland follows the European Union’s pet travel rules, with a few additions. Getting the steps in the right order is what lets pets enter without quarantine. For full country-level requirements, see our Ireland Pet Relocation Guide.
It starts with a microchip that meets ISO 11784/11785 standards. The chip must be implanted and scanned before the rabies vaccination, or the vaccine won’t count for EU travel.
Your pet then needs a rabies vaccination, followed by a wait of at least 21 days. Some vaccine manufacturers require 30 days. For pets vaccinated in the US, the EU treats a first rabies shot as valid for only one year, even if it’s a three-year vaccine. Pets traveling from the United States don’t need a rabies antibody blood test.
Unlike most of the EU, Ireland requires tapeworm treatment for dogs. A vet must treat your dog for Echinococcus multilocularis 1 to 5 days before arrival and record it on the health certificate. This timing window is one of the most common reasons Ireland-bound moves need careful planning.
The final piece is the EU health certificate. A USDA-accredited veterinarian issues it, and the USDA endorses it. New EU non-commercial certificates took effect October 1, 2026, and new commercial certificates take effect October 17, 2026. Under the new non-commercial certificate:
- The document is valid for 30 days after your vet issues it.
- USDA endorsement must happen within 10 days of your pet’s arrival in the EU.
Before your pet travels, you must also complete Ireland’s Advance Notice Portal, run by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Commercial vs. non-commercial pet travel to Dublin
Your pet can travel under a non-commercial certificate if you’re moving five or fewer pets and you, or someone you authorize are on the same flight as the pet, so plan your own flight around your pet’s.
A commercial certificate is required if no owner or authorized person can travel with the pet, if you’re moving six or more pets, or if the pet is changing owners.
Here’s the reassuring part: when these steps are completed correctly and in sequence, quarantine is not required. Pets that arrive with missing or incorrect paperwork can be quarantined or refused entry at the owner’s expense. This is exactly why timing and sequencing matter, and it’s where working with a pet relocation specialist makes the most difference.
Which Airport Should I Fly My Pet Into, and What Happens on Arrival?
Dublin Airport (DUB) is the right choice for nearly every Dublin relocation. It sits about 6 miles north of the city center and is an approved entry point for pets arriving from outside the EU. Shannon Airport (SNN) is also an approved entry point, but it’s roughly a three-hour drive from Dublin and makes more sense for moves to the west of Ireland.
On arrival, your pet goes through a compliance check: the microchip is scanned and the health certificate and tapeworm treatment are reviewed. Starwood coordinates the advance notice and clearance, so your pet moves from the aircraft to your new home as quickly as possible.
What Airlines Fly Pets to Dublin, and How Should I Choose a Route?
Dublin has nonstop service from many US cities, with Aer Lingus offering the widest network. Ireland’s Department of Agriculture doesn’t restrict where in the aircraft a pet travels, but each airline sets its own policy. Not every airline accepts pets as cargo.
The right route depends on your departure city, travel dates, your pet’s breed and size, and seasonal temperature restrictions. Snub-nosed breeds, for example, face extra airline limits. Starwood compares the options and books the safest, most direct routing available for your pet.
If you have an XL Bully, contact our team before making any plans. Since October 1, 2024, Ireland has banned the import of XL Bully type dogs.
Ireland also restricts these breeds, along with their strains and crosses:
- 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
In public, these dogs must be muzzled and kept on a strong lead no longer than 2 meters, held by someone over 16 who can control the dog.
Once you’re settled, every dog in Ireland needs a dog licence, a microchip registered on an approved database, and a collar or harness with your contact details.
How Long Does the Process Take, and What Does It Cost?
For pets coming from the US, the minimum timeline is about 21 to 30 days after the rabies vaccination, depending on the vaccine. We recommend starting two to three months before your move. That leaves time for vet appointments, the 1-to-5-day tapeworm window, USDA endorsement, the advance notice submission, airline bookings, and seasonal restrictions. Pets coming from countries the EU doesn’t list as low-risk need a rabies blood test and a three-month wait, so plan for at least four months.
Cost depends on your pet's size, departure city, and routing. Use our cost calculator to get an estimate.
Why Choose Starwood for Pet Travel to Dublin?
Starwood Pet Travel is an IATA-certified international pet relocation company and part of IVC Evidensia. Moving a pet to Ireland comes with specific challenges:
- New EU health certificates
- Precise tapeworm timing
- Advance notice requirements
- Approved entry points
- Some of Europe’s strictest breed rules
Our team handles all of it, from vet coordination and USDA paperwork to airline booking, customs clearance, and delivery to your door.
Whether you’re moving to Dublin for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in Ireland, we manage the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Ready to start your pet's journey to Dublin? Request a free quote.
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