Ireland → Great Britain
Travelling with a dog from Ireland to the UK
This is one of the easier surface routes, but the return to Ireland is stricter than the outbound leg. Plan both directions before leaving home.
Rules and airline policies last reviewed 21 August 2026
A dog travelling directly from Ireland to Great Britain is exempt from the Great Britain tapeworm-treatment requirement. You will need treatment abroad before returning to Ireland.
- Document
- Valid EU pet passport
- Outbound dog tapeworm
- Not required direct from Ireland
- Approved-route rule
- Exempt when travelling from Ireland
- Return to Ireland
- Dog tapeworm 24–120 hours before arrival
In the right order
Your step-by-step checklist
- 1
Before booking
Check the EU pet passport
Confirm the microchip and current rabies vaccination are correctly recorded in the original passport.
- 2
Book early
Choose the operator's pet product
Ferry ships offer different combinations of vehicle stay, kennel, Pet Den and pet cabin. Add the pet during booking.
- 3
Travel day
Carry originals
Bring the passport and vaccination history. Direct Ireland→Great Britain dogs do not need the usual UK tapeworm treatment.
- 4
Before you come home
Prepare the return to Ireland
A vet in Great Britain must give and record tapeworm treatment for a dog 24 to 120 hours before Irish arrival.
- 5
Return day
Use an Irish entry point
Return through a designated Irish airport or port and follow the compliance-check instructions.
Choose the journey
Transport options
Most practical
Ferry
Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke are common options; facilities are ship-specific.
Limited ordinary-pet options
Air
Great Britain requires air arrivals to use cargo; check the carrier and approved UK airport before booking.
Route-aware comparison
Airline pet policies
The operating carrier, direction, aircraft and available pet space all matter. “Cabin allowed” never means every flight.
| Airline | Cabin | Larger pets | Route warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus ↗ | Household pets are not accepted at passenger check-in; assistance dogs are separate. | Cats and dogs on eligible transatlantic services travel in the hold through an approved pet agent. | No pet transport on Aer Lingus Regional operated by Emerald Airlines; some aircraft cannot carry live animals. |
| British Airways ↗ | Domestic pets are not carried in the cabin on any route; recognised assistance dogs follow a separate process. | Pets travel in the hold through PetAir UK when leaving the UK or IAG Cargo when entering the UK. | Treat this as a managed cargo product, not passenger checked baggage. |
| Ryanair ↗ | Does not carry pets. | No hold or cargo pet product for ordinary pets. | Only qualifying guide/assistance dogs are accepted on certain routes. |
Plain-English answers
Frequently asked questions
Does my dog need worming before leaving Ireland?
Not for direct entry to Great Britain. The important treatment is before the return to Ireland.
Do I need an approved UK route from Ireland?
GOV.UK says travellers from Ireland do not have to use an approved route or company, but the chosen carrier still sets its own pet rules.
Is an Irish EU pet passport accepted?
Yes, a valid EU-issued pet passport is an accepted document for entry from an EU country.
Verified, not vibes
Official sources
These rules and policies were checked on 21 August 2026. Use the links below for the final check immediately before travel.