Moving Pets to Ireland: Tapeworm Treatment, AHC Requirements, and the UK Land Bridge

Ireland is a member of the EU but shares a land border with Northern Ireland (UK). This creates a unique situation for pet owners: UK-to-Ireland travel requires full EU post-Brexit documentation, including an AHC and tapeworm treatment.

Ireland’s Echinococcus Treatment Requirement

Like the UK, Finland, Malta, and Norway, Ireland requires dogs to be treated against Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm before entry. The treatment must be:

• Administered by a licensed vet
• Given 1-5 days before the dog arrives in Ireland
• Recorded in the health certificate

This applies to dogs arriving from all countries, including other EU member states. Cats are exempt.

UK to Ireland: What You Need

Travel Routes

Most UK-Ireland pet travel goes via:

• Air: British Airways, Aer Lingus, Ryanair serve Dublin, Cork, Shannon. Small in-cabin pets accepted by some carriers. Cabin rules: under 8 kg combined.
• Ferry: Stena Line, Irish Ferries (Holyhead to Dublin, Fishguard to Rosslare). Pets travel in vehicles or kennel decks depending on the operator.

Ferry travel is popular for dogs too large for cabin travel and owners who prefer not to use cargo.

Third-Country Pets Entering Ireland

Pets from non-EU/non-UK countries entering Ireland follow EU third-country import rules:

• Health certificate in EU-approved format
• Endorsed by competent authority in origin country
• Arrive at an approved BIP

Dublin Airport and Rosslare ferry port are approved BIPs for companion animals.

Cost Estimate (UK to Ireland)

Sources: EU Regulation 576/2013; Ireland DAFM (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) official pet import guidance; APHA UK pet travel guidance. Data current as of June 2026.