Bringing a pet into Northern Ireland
UK — Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland, which stays in the EU pet travel scheme. Great Britain has its own pet travel rules. See Great Britain.
Last verified Applies to dogs, cats and ferrets23 primary sourcesSite-wide weekly check due
Entry permitted: no quarantine when compliant
To meet the entry rules
- From Great Britain, residents of Great Britain need a microchip and a free Pet Travel Document; residents of Northern Ireland need only a microchip.
- Everyone else needs a microchip, then a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and an EU pet passport from an EU country or an animal health certificate from the USA or Great Britain.
- Dogs on that path also need a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before arrival, unless they come directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway.
- Anyone flying in tells DAERA at least 10 working days before they travel.
Full answer
From Great Britain, residents of Great Britain need a microchip and a free Pet Travel Document; residents of Northern Ireland need only a microchip. Everyone else needs a microchip, then a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and an EU pet passport from an EU country or an animal health certificate from the USA or Great Britain. Dogs on that path also need a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before arrival, unless they come directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway. Anyone flying in tells DAERA at least 10 working days before they travel.
- Quarantine
- No quarantine when compliantno quarantine when every condition is met
- Titer required
- Not required
- Rules allow in cabin
- Airline decidesWhether a pet flies in the cabin, the hold or as cargo is the airline's rule. Carriers need DAERA's approval to transport pets to Northern Ireland.
- Banned breeds
- None in our sources
Requirements, in the order they must happen
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales
Residents of Great Britain travelling directly from Great Britain use the free Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document and promise not to travel on to the EU.
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance notice | Anyone flying into Northern Ireland with a pet emails DAERA at daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk at least 10 working days before travelling, to pre-notify the arrival. | at least 10 working days before departure | Telling DAERA fewer than 10 working days before the flight. |
| Requirement | A free Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document, and a signed declaration that the pet will not travel on to the EU. | — | Travelling via an EU country, including Ireland. |
| Requirement | The pet is microchipped. On these paths it needs no rabies vaccination or tapeworm treatment. | — | The microchip cannot be read, or its number does not match the one on the pet's PTD. |
| Note | APHA aims to process a PTD application within 5 working days, but does not promise it will arrive before you travel. Apply well ahead. | — | — |
| Limit | You cannot take more than 5 pets to Northern Ireland unless you are attending or training for an event. DAERA words the limit as 5 pets in a single vehicle. | — | — |
| Note | Assistance dogs follow the same rules as other dogs.Dogs only | — | — |
If you live in Northern Ireland
Residents of Northern Ireland coming back from Great Britain need no travel document. The pet must be microchipped.
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance notice | Anyone flying into Northern Ireland with a pet emails DAERA at daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk at least 10 working days before travelling, to pre-notify the arrival. | at least 10 working days before departure | Telling DAERA fewer than 10 working days before the flight. |
| Requirement | The pet is microchipped. On these paths it needs no rabies vaccination or tapeworm treatment. | — | The microchip cannot be read, or its number does not match the one on the pet's PTD. |
| Limit | You cannot take more than 5 pets to Northern Ireland unless you are attending or training for an event. DAERA words the limit as 5 pets in a single vehicle. | — | — |
| Note | Assistance dogs follow the same rules as other dogs.Dogs only | — | — |
Everyone else
Everyone else follows the EU pet travel rules for the country the pet comes from. From Great Britain, that includes anyone travelling via an EU country, including Ireland.
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | The pet is at least 12 weeks old when it is vaccinated against rabies. | at least 12 weeks before the rabies vaccination | Done less than 12 weeks before the rabies vaccination. |
| Microchip | The pet is microchipped, and the chip read, before its rabies vaccination. The same vet visit is fine. | on or before the rabies vaccination | Done after the rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | After a primary rabies vaccination the pet waits at least 21 days before travelling, or 30 days if the vaccine's datasheet says so. A booster given before the last vaccination expires needs no wait. | at least 21 days before departure | Done less than 21 days before departure. |
| Advance notice | Anyone flying into Northern Ireland with a pet emails DAERA at daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk at least 10 working days before travelling, to pre-notify the arrival. | at least 10 working days before departure | Telling DAERA fewer than 10 working days before the flight. |
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | An animal health certificate, valid for 10 days from issue for entry into Northern Ireland and for 6 months of onward travel within the EU.Only: Part 2 listed country, such as the USA or Great Britain | within 10 days before arrival | Done more than 10 days before arrival. |
| Tapeworm treatment | A vet treats the dog for tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before its scheduled entry into Northern Ireland.Dogs only; Except: Coming directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway | between 24 and 120 hours before arrival | Done less than 24 or more than 120 hours before arrival. |
| Requirement | From another EU country, the pet travels on a valid EU pet passport.Only: Another EU country | — | No valid EU pet passport. |
| Note | From the USA, or from Great Britain outside the Pet Travel Scheme, the pet enters through a travellers' point of entry. By air these are Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports.Only: Part 2 listed country, such as the USA or Great Britain | — | — |
| Note | To use the animal health certificate for 6 months of onward travel in the EU, have it endorsed at the travellers' point of entry when you arrive. Without that, it is not valid for onward travel.Only: Part 2 listed country, such as the USA or Great Britain | — | — |
| Note | Someone other than the owner may travel with the pet if they carry the owner's written authorisation, attached to the certificate or passport, and the owner travels within 5 days of the pet. | — | — |
| Limit | You cannot take more than 5 pets to Northern Ireland unless you are attending or training for an event. DAERA words the limit as 5 pets in a single vehicle. | — | — |
| Note | Assistance dogs follow the same rules as other dogs.Dogs only | — | — |
Routes into Northern Ireland
- European Union → Northern IrelandDog · Another EU country · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- European Union → Northern IrelandCat · Another EU country · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- European Union → Northern IrelandFerret · Another EU country · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Great Britain → Northern IrelandDog · Part 2 listed country, such as the USA or Great Britain · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Great Britain → Northern IrelandCat · Part 2 listed country, such as the USA or Great Britain · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- Great Britain → Northern IrelandFerret · Part 2 listed country, such as the USA or Great Britain · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- United States → Northern IrelandDog · Part 2 listed country, such as the USA or Great Britain · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- United States → Northern IrelandCat · Part 2 listed country, such as the USA or Great Britain · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
- United States → Northern IrelandFerret · Part 2 listed country, such as the USA or Great Britain · Titer not required · Rules allow in cabin: airline decides
Leaving Northern Ireland with a pet
To Great Britain
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requirement | If you live in Northern Ireland, you need no health preparations or documents to travel to Great Britain, but the pet must be microchipped before it leaves. | — | The pet is not microchipped when it leaves Northern Ireland. |
| Note | There are no checks on pets travelling from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, and no export health certificate is needed. | — | — |
To the European Union
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requirement | A vet practice in the pet travel scheme issues the EU pet passport, which is all a pet needs to travel within the EU. It is issued only to owners who live in Northern Ireland or the EU. | — | The owner does not live in Northern Ireland or the EU, so no EU pet passport can be issued. |
| Note | A pet that came into Northern Ireland from Great Britain under the Pet Travel Scheme may not be moved on to an EU country. | — | — |
| Note | From Northern Ireland, the pet does not need to use a travellers' point of entry in the EU country it goes to. | — | — |
To the United States
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | An export health certificate is usually needed when a pet's final destination is outside the EU. The owner applies for it in DAERA's Export Certification System (DECS). | — | — |
| Note | Apply on DECS no earlier than 10 days before the pet leaves, and at least 2 working days before it is dispatched. | — | — |
| Note | GOV.UK's dog export certificate for the USA is only required for certain US states, such as Massachusetts. In Northern Ireland you complete it as part of the DECS application. | — | — |
| Note | A cat going to Massachusetts travels on GOV.UK's export certificate for cats to Massachusetts. | — | — |
Routes out of Northern Ireland
Where every rule above came from
- Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; resolved from http://publications.europa.eu/resource/celex/32023R1231)publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/e0e81979-1617-11ee-806b-01aa75ed71a1.0006.03/DOC_1The scheme is only for pets that live in the UK and travel between Great Britain and…; A pet that came into Northern Ireland from Great Britain under the Pet Travel Scheme may…
- Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj)publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/12bce2c0-297f-11f1-8803-01aa75ed71a1.0006.03/DOC_1Health certificate issued or endorsed; A pet from a listed country such as the USA needs no rabies blood test only if it comes…
- DAERA (Northern Ireland)daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-petsNorthern Ireland, which stays in the EU pet travel scheme; Another EU country; Part 2 listed country, such as the USA or Great Britain; Directly from Great Britain; and 20 more
- GOV.UK (Defra/APHA)gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britainGreat Britain has its own pet travel rules
- European Commission (DG SANTE, Food Safety)food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/listing-territories-and-non-eu-countries_enPart 2 listed country, such as the USA or Great Britain
- DAERA (Northern Ireland)daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-04/PT1%20NI%20-%20How%20to%20Complete%20Pet%20Passports%20V7%20March%202026.PDFComing directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway; Birth; Rabies vaccination; Tapeworm treatment; and 3 more
- European Commission (DG SANTE, Food Safety)food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/travelling-pet-within-eu_enComing directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway; From another EU country, the pet travels on a valid EU pet passport
- DAERA (Northern Ireland)daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/great-britain-northern-ireland-pet-travel-guidanceIf you live in England, Scotland or Wales; A free Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document, and a signed declaration that the pet will…; Advance notice
- GOV.UK service 'Taking a pet from Great Britain to Northern Ireland' (APHA)take-your-pet-from-gb-to-ni.service.gov.uk/Content/TermsAndConditionsIf you live in Northern Ireland; A free Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document, and a signed declaration that the pet will…; APHA aims to process a PTD application within 5 working days, but does not promise it…; You cannot take more than 5 pets to Northern Ireland unless you are attending or…; and 2 more
- GOV.UK (Defra/APHA)gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-northern-irelandIf you live in Northern Ireland; The pet is microchipped: what fails; The pet is microchipped; Advance notice; and 2 more
- European Union (Your Europe portal, European Commission)europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/pets-and-other-animals/index_en.htmFrom another EU country, the pet travels on a valid EU pet passport; From Northern Ireland, the pet does not need to use a travellers' point of entry in the…
- GOV.UK (Defra/APHA)gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/microchipMicrochip; A vaccination given before the microchip does not count, so the pet must be vaccinated…
- GOV.UK (Defra/APHA)gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/rabies-vaccinations-and-boostersRabies vaccination
- GOV.UK (Defra/APHA)gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/tapeworm-treatment-for-dogsTapeworm treatment
- European Commission (DG SANTE)food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/faqs_enWhether a pet flies in the cabin, the hold or as cargo is the airline's rule
- GOV.UK (APHA/Defra)gov.uk/guidance/air-carriers-transport-pets-and-assistance-dogsWhether a pet flies in the cabin, the hold or as cargo is the airline's rule
- GOV.UK (APHA)gov.uk/apply-for-northern-ireland-pet-travel-documentAssistance dogs follow the same rules as other dogs
- nidirect (Northern Ireland government)nidirect.gov.uk/articles/banned-breeds-dogs-northern-irelandFive dog types are banned in Northern Ireland: Pit Bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo…
- DAERA (Northern Ireland)daera-ni.gov.uk/services/pets-exportsThere are no checks on pets travelling from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, and no…; A vet practice in the pet travel scheme issues the EU pet passport, which is all a pet…; An export health certificate is usually needed when a pet's final destination is outside…; Apply on DECS no earlier than 10 days before the pet leaves, and at least 2 working days…
- DAERA (Northern Ireland)daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/exporting-animals-and-animal-products-northern-ireland-gb-eu-and-third-countries-including-guidance-and-application-point-daera-export-certificate-system-decsApply on DECS no earlier than 10 days before the pet leaves, and at least 2 working days…
- GOV.UK (APHA)gov.uk/export-health-certificates/export-dogs-to-usa-certificate-8860GOV.UK's dog export certificate for the USA is only required for certain US states, such…
- GOV.UK (APHA)gov.uk/export-health-certificates/export-dogs-and-cats-to-the-commonwealth-of-massachusetts-usa-certificate-8696A cat going to Massachusetts travels on GOV.UK's export certificate for cats to…
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-finland-malta-ireland-including-northernNorthern Ireland, which stays in the EU pet travel scheme; A vaccination given before the microchip does not count, so the pet must be vaccinated…
Rules change without notice. Confirm each item against the linked official page before you book: we date every check, but the official page is the authority.