Cats in Ireland: rules and travel
Every dog needs a licence and a microchip registered on an approved database. There is no dog tax, no cat chip duty yet, and dogs entering from abroad need tapeworm treatment.
Dog licences are issued nationally through post offices and licences.ie, while dog wardens and bye-laws such as local lead rules are run by each county or city council.
Keeping rules
The same new EU Regulation will in time require privately kept cats to be microchipped and registered, with a longer phase-in than dogs. Farm cats are exempt.[1]
Travelling to Ireland with a cat
Pets must comply with EU Regulation 576/2013 and arrive with the owner, or within five days before or after with an authorised person. Ireland has no ban or embargo on pets. A maximum of five pets applies unless attending a show or competition. Returning or entering dogs need tapeworm treatment.[2]
Submit advance notice through the Advance Notice Portal before arrival. Pets must enter through a designated travellers point of entry (Dublin Airport or Port, Cork Airport, Shannon Airport, Ringaskiddy Port, Rosslare Europort) for a compliance check. EU rules on chip, rabies and certificate apply.[2]
Needed only for pets arriving from non-EU countries that are not on the EU list. Blood is taken at least 30 days after the first rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before the certificate is issued, with a result of 0.5 IU/ml or more from a designated lab. Pets from listed countries do not need it.[3]
Not confirmed yet: Registration, Microchip, Quarantine. We only show what an official or named source states.
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.