Travelling with pets to Ireland
Travelling with pets to Ireland
Ireland is one of the most welcoming destinations in Europe for pet owners. Whether you are heading for a weekend away in Dublin or a scenic road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way, taking the ferry to Ireland is by far the easiest way to bring a pet on your travels.
The ferries from the UK to Ireland are provided by several ferry operators. Each offer a wide range of pet accommodation options, including in-car travel on the shorter crossings to dedicated kennels and pet-friendly cabins on the longer overnight sailings. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know to get your pet from the UK to Ireland by ferry.
The rules for travelling to Ireland with a pet from Great Britain depend on whether you are travelling to the Republic of Ireland or to Northern Ireland, as each has different requirements following the UK's exit from the European Union. The Republic of Ireland is still in the EU, meaning it follows the EU pet travel scheme. Northern Ireland has a separate arrangement from the rest of the UK. It is important to understand which destination applies to your journey before making any veterinary or documentation arrangements.
Travelling to the Republic of Ireland from Great Britain: The Republic of Ireland remains part of the EU, so GB-issued EU pet passports are no longer valid for entry. Alternatively, residents from Great Britain must obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from an Official Veterinarian prior to every trip, in the same way as for any EU country. The main requirements for taking a dog, cat, or ferret from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland are as follows.
Travelling to Northern Ireland from Great Britain: Since 4th June 2025, the process for travelling with pets from Great Britain to Northern Ireland has been significantly simplified under the Windsor Framework. GB residents now need only a free Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD), which is valid for the lifetime of the pet, and a microchip.
Rabies vaccinations and tapeworm treatments are not required for travel to Northern Ireland from Great Britain under the PTD scheme. The PTD can be applied for free online through the UK Government website. Please keep in mind that if you are travelling from Northern Ireland onward into the Republic of Ireland, you will still require a full AHC and must meet all Republic of Ireland entry requirements.
Any pets from the Republic of Ireland travelling to Great Britain need a valid EU pet passport and an up-to-date rabies vaccination, and dogs must have the tapeworm treatment. EU pet passports issued by Northern Ireland remain valid for travel to all EU countries including the Republic of Ireland.
Here are some key things that you need to know before you set sail to Ireland with your pet:
There are currently multiple direct ferry routes from the UK to Ireland, connecting ports in Wales, England, and Scotland with Dublin, Rosslare, Belfast, and Larne.
From the relatively short crossings from Holyhead in north Wales to the longer overnight sailings from Liverpool, the ferries to Ireland offer a wide range of options for pet owners. These include in-car crossings and longer sailings with full kennel and pet-friendly cabin facilities. All of the main ferry routes to Ireland accept pets on board, though the facilities and procedures differ between operators and between ships on the same route.
The main routes and operators are:
Holyhead in north Wales is the busiest port for ferries travelling to the Republic of Ireland, provided by both Irish Ferries and Stena Line with up to four crossings per day on the Holyhead to Dublin ferry, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes on the faster vessels. Both operators accept pets on this route and offer a range of pet accommodation options.
When travelling with a pet from Holyhead, you must declare your animal at the time of booking and pre-book your chosen pet travel option. When you arrive at check-in, you will receive a coloured tag to place on your rearview mirror, indicating that you are travelling with a pet.
Your AHC or Northern Ireland PTD, along with proof of microchipping and vaccination, will be checked at check-in and potentially again on arrival in Dublin. Dogs entering the Republic of Ireland must also have the tapeworm treatment recorded on their documentation before boarding. This must have been administered between 24 and 120 hours before your arrival time in Dublin.
Irish Ferries requires that foot passengers carry their pet to and from the ferry in a pet carrier or box. Stena Line requires pets to be on a non-retractable lead when moving around any area of the ship outside of the vehicle, kennel, or cabin.
South Wales has two ferry ports for those heading to Rosslare in County Wexford: Fishguard and Pembroke. The Fishguard to Rosslare ferry is operated by Stena Line with a sailing time of approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. Pet-friendly cabins are now available on this route along with kennels and in-car travel.
The Pembroke to Rosslare ferry is operated by Irish Ferries with a sailing time of approximately 4 hours, with kennels and in-car options available for pets.
At both Fishguard and Pembroke, documentation checks follow the same process as Holyhead Port. Your AHC and tapeworm treatment record will be inspected before boarding. As both Fishguard and Pembroke serve the Republic of Ireland via Rosslare Europort, all Republic of Ireland entry requirements apply on these routes.
Both of these ports can be reached from Cardiff via the A40 in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to Fishguard and 2 hours to Pembroke, and from London via the M4 in approximately 4 hours.
For travellers from northern England and Scotland, the northern Irish Sea routes provide convenient crossings to Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland. The Liverpool to Belfast ferry is operated by Stena Line on the Stena Edda and Stena Embla ferry, with a sailing time of approximately 8 hours. The ferry from Liverpool to Belfast is an overnight sailing on which pet-friendly cabins are available, making it one of the best pet travel options on the Irish Sea for those who want to keep their dog with them throughout the journey. Kennels are also available on this route, and pets can remain in vehicles.
The Cairnryan to Belfast ferry, operated by Stena Line is the fastest route to Northern Ireland from the UK, with up to six sailings per day and a sailing time of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. There are no pet-friendly cabins available on this route, but Stena Line do have a dedicated Pet Lounge on their Stena Superfast vessels, which allows owners and dogs to travel together in a comfortable lounge area. Pets can also remain in vehicles or kennels.
The Cairnryan to Larne ferry is operated by P&O Ferries with a sailing time of approximately 2 hours. Pets travel free of charge on this route but must remain in the vehicle throughout the entirety of the crossing.
How your pet travels onboard all depends upon which route and vessel you have chosen. There are three main options for ferries from the UK to Ireland: your pet remains in your vehicle on the car deck, your pet stays in a kennel on the car deck or a separate kennel area, or your pet travels with you in a pet-friendly cabin. Each option has different implications for your pet's comfort and your own peace of mind on longer crossings.
Pets in vehicles is the most common arrangement and is available on all ferries from UK to Ireland. Your pet remains in your car for the duration of the sailing, which is perfectly feasible for shorter crossings such as Cairnryan to Belfast and Holyhead to Dublin.
We recommend that you leave a window slightly open for ventilation, provide plenty of fresh water in a non-spill bowl, place your pet's bed or a familiar blanket in the car, and avoid feeding your pet within two hours of boarding. On the longer Liverpool to Belfast crossing, Stena Line recommends booking a kennel or pet-friendly cabin rather than leaving pets in vehicles, particularly for breeds sensitive to heat or poor air circulation.
On the Holyhead to Dublin ferry, both Irish Ferries and Stena Line offer a variety of pet travel options. With Irish Ferries, on the Ulysses and James Joyce vessels, there is a dedicated Pet Den area and a Pet Lounge where owners can accompany their dogs during the crossing. Pet-friendly cabins are also available on the James Joyce ferry, providing a private, en-suite space for owners and up to two pets to travel together. Various kennel sizes are also available on the car deck, and pets can remain in vehicles. Pets travel free of charge on Irish Ferries regardless of option chosen, but all pets must be booked in advance.
If you are sailing with Stena Line on the same route, the Stena Adventurer and Stena Estrid both offer pet-friendly cabins, kennels accessible to owners, and in-car travel. On the Stena Estrid, there is a dedicated outdoor area where pets can get fresh air and exercise during the crossing. On the Stena Adventurer, pets must remain in the cabin for the duration of the journey. Pets travel free of charge in vehicles or kennels on this route with Stena Line.
On the Fishguard to Rosslare ferry with Stena Line, pet-friendly cabins are available, meaning owners can keep their dog with them in an en-suite cabin for the crossing. On this route, pets must remain in the cabin for the duration of the sailing. Kennels and in-car options are also available, all free of charge.
On the Pembroke to Rosslare ferry with Irish Ferries, pets can travel in kennels of various sizes on the car deck, or remain in the owner's vehicle. Pets travel free of charge on both routes, and all options must be pre-booked at the time of ticket purchase.
On the Liverpool to Belfast ferry with Stena Line, pet-friendly cabins are available on the Stena Edda and Stena Embla vessels, which is particularly convenient on the overnight sailing. Please note that up to two pets per cabin are permitted. Kennels are also available at a fee of approximately £15, and pets can travel in vehicles, though this is not recommended for the longer crossing.
On the Cairnryan to Belfast ferry, you can book the Pet Lounge on the Stena Superfast vessels for approximately £24 per pet. Pets can also travel in kennels or in vehicles on this route at no extra charge. On the Cairnryan to Larne ferry with P&O Ferries, pets travel free in vehicles for the approximately 2-hour crossing. There are no kennels or pet-friendly cabins on this service and pets must remain in the vehicle throughout.
Upon arrival in Ireland, your pet's documents may be inspected by Irish border officials. Please have your AHC or Northern Ireland PTD, microchip details, vaccination record, and tapeworm treatment record (if travelling to the Republic) at hand. If your pet's documents are found to be non-compliant, the animal may be refused entry, quarantined, or required to return to the UK at your expense.
The Dublin ferry port is one of Ireland's designated Travellers' Points of Entry for pets from Great Britain. On arrival by ferry from Holyhead, vehicles disembark the vessel and go through Irish Customs and Border Control, where your pet's AHC and tapeworm treatment record may be checked.
Once you get through border control, Dublin city centre is located approximately 3km from the port and is well connected by the 53 and 53A bus routes and by taxi. There is a small exercise area close to the terminal building where you can walk your pets after the crossing before proceed with your journey.
The Rosslare Europort terminal is Ireland's second designated Travellers' Point of Entry for pets from Great Britain arriving by ferry from Fishguard or Pembroke. Upon arrival, vehicles disembark and proceed through Irish border control, where pet documentation may be inspected.
Once you are through border control, Rosslare Europort has convenient rail connections to Wexford Town and Dublin for foot passengers. The N25 road west connects Rosslare directly to Wexford Town and onward to Cork and the south-west of Ireland. Allow enough time after departing the ferry to walk your dog before continuing your journey.
When returning from the Republic of Ireland to the UK, dogs must have received a tapeworm treatment recorded in the AHC or on a veterinary certificate, administered between 24 and 120 hours before their scheduled arrival back in the UK. It’s best practice to find a local vet near your departure port in Ireland before you travel. We urge you to book this appointment in advance of your trip to avoid any last-minute stress.
It depends on which part of Ireland you are travelling to. If you are going to the Republic of Ireland, GB-issued EU pet passports are no longer valid since Brexit. Instead, you will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian within 10 days of your departure date. Your dog must also be microchipped, have a rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before departure, and have received a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in the country.
For those visiting Northern Ireland, the process is much simpler. Since June 2025, GB residents need only a free Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD), valid for the pet's lifetime, and a microchip. No rabies vaccination or tapeworm treatment is required for the PTD scheme. If you are then travelling from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland, the full AHC and Republic of Ireland requirements will apply for that onward sailing.
The best route all depends on where you are travelling from in the UK and your destination in Ireland. For the shortest route to the Republic of Ireland, the Holyhead to Dublin ferry takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes with Irish Ferries or Stena Line, making it the most convenient for pet travel, with pet-friendly cabins, Pet Den areas, and kennel options.
If you are looking for the best pet accommodation on an overnight crossing, the Liverpool to Belfast ferry with Stena Line offers pet-friendly cabins. For those in Scotland heading to Northern Ireland, the Cairnryan to Belfast ferry is the quickest option in 2 hours and 15 minutes, with a Pet Lounge available on board.
That depends on your destination. For the Republic of Ireland, a tapeworm treatment is required on the outbound journey — your dog must receive the treatment from a registered vet between one to five days before their scheduled arrival in Ireland. This must be recorded on the AHC. A tapeworm treatment is also required before returning to the UK from the Republic of Ireland, again within the same 24-to-120-hour window before arrival back in Great Britain.
For Northern Ireland, no tapeworm treatment is required for the outbound journey from Great Britain under the PTD scheme. Dogs returning to Great Britain from Northern Ireland do require tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before UK arrival.
Yes, all ferry operators to Ireland accept foot passengers with pets, though the procedures vary. Irish Ferries requires that foot passengers carry their pet to and from the ferry in a pet carrier or box. On routes where kennels or Pet Den areas are available, foot passengers can book their pet into these instead of carrying them. Stena Line also accepts foot passengers with pets in kennels or pet-friendly cabins on its Irish Sea routes.
It’s best practice to book as early as possible. Pet-friendly cabins on Stena Line's Irish Sea routes are in very high demand and can sell out quickly, particularly for summer sailings and school holiday periods. The Liverpool to Belfast ferry has a limited number of pet cabins per sailing that tend to go within days of release during peak travel periods. Pet Den areas on Irish Ferries are also limited. Kennels have slightly better availability but also fill up in summer. Pre-book your pet accommodation at the same time as booking your ferry ticket to secure your preferred option.
Muzzle requirements vary by operator and on your dog. Stena Line requires that aggressive dogs wear a muzzle at all times when outside of a pet carrier, cabin, or kennel. Aside from this, no general muzzle requirement is enforced across Irish Sea routes. However, certain restricted breeds like American Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brasileiros must remain in the vehicle at all times when travelling on Stena Line ferries and are subject to breed bans in the Republic of Ireland. Always check your operator's current breed restrictions before booking your tickets.
Yes, cats are allowed to travel on all ferry routes to Ireland from the UK. The same documentation requirements apply as for dogs travelling to the Republic of Ireland: a valid AHC, microchip, and rabies vaccination. Cats do not require tapeworm treatment for travel to Ireland. For travel to Northern Ireland, cats need only the PTD and microchip. On most routes, cats must remain in a carrier in the vehicle, kennel, or pet-friendly cabin and are not permitted in the general passenger areas.
The Republic of Ireland has a list of restricted breeds under the Control of Dogs Act. These dog breeds, which include American Pit Bull Terriers, English Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Mastiffs, Dobermann Pinschers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Japanese Akitas, Japanese Tosas, and Bandog, must be kept on a short lead and muzzled in public at all times in Ireland, and must be licensed. Several of these breeds are also subject to restrictions by individual ferry operators. Check the current Irish legislation and your operator's breed policy before travelling with a restricted breed.
This all depends on the route and the vessel. On the shorter crossings like Cairnryan to Belfast and Holyhead to Dublin, access to the vehicle deck is generally not available during the sailing. On crossings where kennels are booked, owners can typically visit their pets in the kennel area at designated times, often supervised by a crew member.
The most convenient option for pets who require owner company is a pet-friendly cabin, where your animal can remain with you for the entire crossing. Whatever option you choose, prepare the car or carrier thoroughly before boarding with familiar bedding, water and ventilation.
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