Shipping a dog or cat from Germany to Ireland rewards owners who start planning early. Preparation is relatively light here, so plan on about 1-2 weeks to be comfortable. No routine quarantine applies as long as every requirement is met. …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Germany to Ireland
typically takes around 1-2 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Germany to Ireland pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm EU Pet Passport shows current microchip and valid rabies vaccination
Responsible: German vet
Immediate vet check.
2
If travelling with a dog: book vet appointment for tapeworm treatment
Responsible: German vet
24-120 hours before Ireland arrival. Exact timing matters - too early or too late fails.
3
Book Aer Lingus or Lufthansa Cargo FRA-DUB
Responsible: You or agent
2-4 weeks before travel.
4
Cargo check-in Frankfurt. DAFM inspection at Dublin on arrival.
Responsible: You + cargo airline
3-4 hours before departure.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Ireland
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in EU Pet Passport.
Rabies vaccination
Required and current. Standard EU protocol.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Germany is an EU member state.
Quarantine
Not required for EU-origin pets with valid EU Pet Passport.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU Pet Passport sufficient. Dogs additionally need tapeworm treatment record in passport.
Export permit (Germany)
No export permit required for intra-EU movement.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Aer Lingus or Lufthansa Cargo fees FRA-DUB
IATA-compliant crate
Tapeworm treatment vet fee (dogs)
No permit fees
Critical points to read before you book
Dogs require tapeworm treatment (Praziquantel) by a vet, 24-120 hours before Ireland arrival. The timing window is strict at both ends.
Ryanair does not accept pets. Many German travellers assume all Ireland routes accept pets - they don't on budget carriers.
Cats are exempt from the tapeworm treatment requirement.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
AER LINGUS
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus Cargo FRA/DUS to DUB. Ireland's national carrier with DAFM familiarity on arrival. Pets travel in cargo hold.
Ryanair does not accept pets in cabin or cargo. Not suitable.
No Pets
BRITISH
British Airways
Via London LHR to DUB. British Airways World Cargo. Longer routing.
Cargo Only
Ireland entry requirements at a glance
Bringing a pet into Ireland is one of the simpler processes. Cover the core requirements and you should have few surprises.
Getting the details right
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
FAQ
Common questions about Germany to Ireland pet transport
Yes. All dogs entering Ireland from EU countries must have a Praziquantel tapeworm treatment (minimum 23.4mg) administered by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before arrival. The vet records it in the EU Pet Passport. Cats are exempt.
No. Ryanair does not accept pets on any route. Use Aer Lingus or Lufthansa Cargo for the Germany-Ireland move.
No quarantine for EU pets with a valid EU Pet Passport and the required documentation. A DAFM inspection occurs at Dublin Airport on arrival.
1-2 weeks. If your pet’s EU Pet Passport and vaccinations are current, the only timing constraint is the dog tapeworm treatment window (24-120 hours before Ireland arrival).
Yes. The treatment must be given between 24 and 120 hours before the time your dog arrives in Ireland. Both ends of the window are firm. Calculate from your planned Dublin arrival time and book the German vet appointment accordingly.
Airline guides
Aer Lingus
Lufthansa
Ryanair
British Airways
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.