In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Ireland to Argentina
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
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Prepared and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged.
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Overview
Taking your dog or cat from Ireland to Argentina comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Plan on roughly 20-26 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. No routine quarantine applies as long as every requirement is met.
You will not need a rabies titre test here. Everything you need, from documents to carriers, is broken down below.
Step by step
The Ireland to Argentina process
1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
4
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
5
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
Checklist
Argentina: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785)
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current rabies vaccination required. Valid within 12 months.
Rabies titre test
Not required. The bilingual USDA and SENASA veterinary health certificate for dogs and cats carries no rabies antibody or serology test. It asks for inspection within 10 days of export, rabies vaccination for any animal over three months old with a valid rabies certificate accompanying the shipment, and freedom from African Horse Sickness and Rift Valley Fever.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for dogs and cats arriving with correct documentation.
Import permit
No import permit for up to 3 companion animals per person.
Health certificate
Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Issued by: Official veterinarian in country of origin. Valid for 10 days from issue. Certificate must state animal is free of contagious disease, fully vaccinated, and microchipped. Must be in Spanish or accompanied by certified Spanish translation.
EU pets can use existing EU passport. Non-EU destinations require destination-country AHC.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
2
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
3
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
4
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
American Airlines
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: American Airlines Cargo handles pet transport. Seasonal temperature embargoes apply
Cabin and Cargo
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Delta Air Lines
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Delta Cargo handles larger pets in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Air Canada
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Air Canada Cargo handles pet transport in heated/pressurised hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
Argentina entry requirements at a glance
Getting a pet into Argentina is a middle of the road process. The rules are well defined, so most of the work is simply staying on schedule.
Getting the details right
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in Argentina for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
No routine rabies titre test is listed for this route. Requirements can change and may vary by origin, so confirm the current position with the destination veterinary authority before travel.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Ireland. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Argentina’s authority for the exact format required.
Airline guides
British Airways
American Airlines
Emirates
Lufthansa
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Air France
KLM
Delta Air Lines
Air Canada
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm
current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
IATA· International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations
SENASA Argentina· Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria, Argentina