Travelling with a dog
Ferries to Ireland with a Dog
How your dog travels comfortably on the ferry to Ireland – routes, cabins and all the entry rules
- Book the pet option together with the specific sailing
- Cabin, kennel or vehicle arrangements depend on the operator and vessel
- Ireland requires tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before arrival
Entry requirements
What Your Dog Needs for Ireland
Ireland requires a tapeworm treatment before entry. The time window has to be followed exactly!
EU Pet Passport
ISO microchip
Rabies vaccination
Tapeworm treatment
Taking Your Dog on the Ferry to Ireland
Taking your dog on the ferry to Ireland
Pets must be included in the booking. Choose a specific sailing, not just a route: the operator and vessel determine whether your dog travels in a pet-friendly cabin, kennel or vehicle and whether foot passengers may bring animals.
Which route works best with a dog?
For a journey with a dog, consider the full door-to-door time. On routes via Wales, the individual sea crossing is short, but you also need the first crossing to Great Britain, the road journey and a second check-in. Direct routes such as Cherbourg - Rosslare, Roscoff - Cork and Dunkirk - Rosslare keep you on board longer but avoid changing between two ferries.
Check accommodation by operator
| Operator and example route | Possible accommodation | Check before paying |
|---|---|---|
| DFDS, Dunkirk - Rosslare | pet-friendly cabin | vehicle requirement, cabin availability, number of pets |
| Brittany Ferries, Cherbourg or Roscoff | pet-friendly cabin, kennel or vehicle, depending on the vessel | vessel for your sailing and rules for foot passengers |
| Irish Ferries, Cherbourg, Holyhead or Pembroke | pet area, kennel or cabin, depending on the vessel | access to your pet and booking limits |
| Stena Line, Holyhead or Fishguard | pet lounge, cabin, kennel or vehicle, depending on the vessel | booked option and where your pet may move on board |
This table is a decision aid, not a promise for every sailing. The pet option shown in the booking window for your vessel is what matters. Bring food, water, a lead, waste bags and any medication; the vehicle deck is not normally accessible during the crossing.
Entry requirements for dogs travelling to Ireland
Ireland is in the EU, but it asks for a few extra steps for dogs compared with other countries:
- ISO microchip for identification, implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination.
- Rabies vaccination, valid and given at least 21 days before entry, at the earliest from 12 weeks of age.
- EU pet passport with the chip and vaccination recorded in it.
- Tapeworm treatment with praziquantel, carried out by a vet 24 to 120 hours before arrival and documented in the passport. Without this entry, admission can be refused.
Even if you travel via Great Britain, your EU pet passport is sufficient: it is recognised both on entry to Great Britain and in Ireland, so you do not need an Animal Health Certificate. That certificate only applies to animals resident in Great Britain without an EU passport travelling to the EU. Plan the veterinary appointment for the tapeworm treatment around the arrival time; the window is tight.
Tips for travelling with a dog
Book the pet option together with the ferry. Plan a walk before check-in and keep the pet passport and veterinary entry to hand. Check the 24-to-120-hour window against the planned arrival in Ireland, not the departure. If a sailing is cancelled or rebooked, another veterinary treatment may be required. Traffic drives on the left for the onward journey; practical advice is in the Ireland by car guide.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ – Ferries to Ireland with a Dog
The key questions about travelling to Ireland with a dog, answered briefly.
Which ferries to Ireland take dogs?+
The passenger ferries compared here offer pet options, but not every option is available on every vessel or to foot passengers. Choose a specific sailing first, then check for a pet-friendly cabin, kennel or accommodation in the vehicle. Add your pet to the ticket booking.
What are the entry requirements for dogs travelling to Ireland?+
Entering from the EU you need an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry, at the earliest from 12 weeks of age) and an EU pet passport. Ireland also requires a tapeworm treatment with praziquantel, documented 24 to 120 hours before arrival. If you travel via Great Britain, the EU pet passport is still enough: it is recognised on entry to Great Britain and to Ireland. You don't need an Animal Health Certificate with it - that only applies to animals resident in Great Britain without an EU passport.
Where does my dog stay during the crossing?+
The specific sailing determines the arrangement. DFDS provides pet-friendly cabins on Dunkirk - Rosslare. With Irish Ferries, Stena Line and Brittany Ferries, the options vary by route and vessel. The vehicle deck is normally closed during the crossing, so do not assume that you can visit your dog during the journey.