Taking a Dog From Northern Ireland to Southern Ireland

In recent years, there have been a number of changes affecting travelling with a dog to and from Northern Ireland. So what are the latest requirements to travel with a dog from Northern Ireland south to the Republic of Ireland, no matter the origin of your dog?

Taking A Dog Across the Border from Northern Ireland

For dogs that live in Northern Ireland, it’s quite easy to take your dog across the border to the Republic of Ireland (ROI), or “southern” Ireland.

That’s because that following the end of the Brexit transition, Northern Ireland has essentially remained part of the European Union for pet travel purposes, with no changes for pet travel between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

As is stated on Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) website, there “is no change to the requirements for travelling between Northern Ireland and ROI”.

Technically, your dog is meant to be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination, with this recorded in a pet passport. This is the same for crossing most borders within the EU with a dog.

However, this is unlikely to be enforced when you driving your dog in a car across the border. This is partially because the likelihood of rabies is so low. Additionally, dogs are not required to have a worming treatment administered by a vet when travelling from Northern Ireland to Ireland.

What About Dogs from Great Britain?

In June 2025, the Northern Ireland pet travel scheme was launched, making it easier to travel with a pet from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. A new document was introduced, the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (or PTD) that is free and lasts for the life of the dog.

However, dogs travelling to Northern Ireland with a PTD cannot then travel onto the ROI using the same document. The document specifically includes a declaration that you will not be travelling onwards to the Republic of Ireland or any other EU country with your dog under the scheme.

To travel with a dog from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and then to the ROI, the same rules apply if you travel directly from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland with a dog (or any other EU country).

Your dog will require a microchip, a rabies vaccine administered at least 21 days before travel, a worming treatment and an animal health certificate (AHC). A valid EU pet passport issued outside of Great Britain can also be used. For more information, see the UK government website.

When arriving in Northern Ireland, the DAERA website reports that you need to report to the travellers’ point of entry when you arrive, so that your AHC can be endorsed by Portal Officials. Without this, it is not valid for further travel to the Republic of Ireland.

Returning to Northern Ireland with a Dog

The same rules apply for travelling with a dog from the ROI to Northern Ireland as when travelling the opposite direction. Once again, your dog should be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and have a pet passport (or stamped AHC for dogs travelling from Great Britain), but this is also unlikely to be checked.

Taking a Train Between Northern and Southern Ireland

It’s also possible to travel with your dog from Northern Ireland to the ROI on board the train from Belfast to Dublin, operated by Irish Rail.

Small dogs can travel free of charge on this train. They need to be small enough to travel on your lap, either in a carrier or simply on a leash. Larger dogs must be leashed and muzzled and travel in the guards vans (which should be available on the Belfast to Dublin service), with a fee charged.

I’m not sure whether pet passports (or animal health certificates) are normally checked on this route, but I recommend being prepared.

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