DE
Germany
✈️
IE
Ireland

Pet Transport from Germany to Ireland

Germany to Ireland is straightforward for EU pets - with one catch for dog owners. Ireland requires all dogs arriving from EU countries to have a tapeworm treatment (Praziquantel, minimum 23.4mg) administered by a vet between 24 and 120 …

NoneQuarantine on arrival
Low routeExpert coordination essential
1-2 weeksPreparation lead time
Fully managedDoor to door service available
Lead time needed
1-2 weeks
Quarantine
Not required
Route complexity
Low
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
Start my quote
Step by step

The Germany to Ireland pet import process

Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.

1
Confirm EU Pet Passport shows current microchip and valid rabies vaccination
Responsible: German vet
Immediate vet check.
2
If travelling with a dog: book vet appointment for tapeworm treatment
Responsible: German vet
24-120 hours before Ireland arrival. Exact timing matters - too early or too late fails.
3
Book Aer Lingus or Lufthansa Cargo FRA-DUB
Responsible: You or agent
2-4 weeks before travel.
4
Cargo check-in Frankfurt. DAFM inspection at Dublin on arrival.
Responsible: You + cargo airline
3-4 hours before departure.
Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Ireland

Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.

Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Recorded in EU Pet Passport.
Rabies vaccination
Required and current. Standard EU protocol.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Germany is an EU member state.
Quarantine
Not required for EU-origin pets with valid EU Pet Passport.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU Pet Passport sufficient. Dogs additionally need tapeworm treatment record in passport.
Export permit (Germany)
No export permit required for intra-EU movement.
Costs

What this route typically costs

Aer Lingus or Lufthansa Cargo fees FRA-DUB
IATA-compliant crate
Tapeworm treatment vet fee (dogs)
No permit fees

Critical points to read before you book

Dogs require tapeworm treatment (Praziquantel) by a vet, 24-120 hours before Ireland arrival. The timing window is strict at both ends.

Ryanair does not accept pets. Many German travellers assume all Ireland routes accept pets - they don't on budget carriers.

Cats are exempt from the tapeworm treatment requirement.

Airlines

Carriers approved for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.

Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus Cargo FRA/DUS to DUB. Ireland's national carrier with DAFM familiarity on arrival. Pets travel in cargo hold.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Lufthansa Cargo FRA-DUB. Strong Frankfurt operation. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round.
Cargo Only
Ryanair
Ryanair does not accept pets in cabin or cargo. Not suitable.
No Pets
British Airways
Via London LHR to DUB. British Airways World Cargo. Longer routing.
Cargo Only

Compliance data: Germany to Ireland

RequirementDogsCats
EU Pet PassportRequiredRequired
MicrochipRequiredRequired
Rabies vaccinationRequiredRequired
Titre testNot requiredNot required
Tapeworm treatmentRequired (24-120h before arrival)Not required
QuarantineNot requiredNot required
Import permitNot requiredNot required
ComplexityLowVery low
Preparation1-2 weeksDays

Source: DAFM Ireland. EU Regulation 576/2013. Tapeworm treatment rule applies to dogs from all EU member states entering Ireland.

The tapeworm treatment window: getting the timing right

The Praziquantel tapeworm treatment must be given by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before your dog arrives in Ireland. Both ends of that window are firm. Treatment given 23 hours before arrival: fails inspection. Treatment given 121 hours before: fails inspection.

Work backwards from your Dublin arrival time. If you arrive in Dublin at 14:00 on Friday, the treatment window is between 14:00 Monday and 14:00 Thursday. Book the German vet appointment within that range. The vet records the treatment date and time in the EU Pet Passport.

Cats don’t need this treatment. The tapeworm requirement applies only to dogs.

Airlines: Frankfurt to Dublin

Aer Lingus and Lufthansa both operate Frankfurt to Dublin with cargo pet acceptance. Aer Lingus as Ireland’s national carrier has established DAFM arrival familiarity at Dublin. Lufthansa brings strong Frankfurt cargo infrastructure.

Ryanair, which dominates the Germany-Ireland route on passenger numbers, does not accept pets in cabin or cargo on any route. This surprises many travellers who book Ryanair for themselves assuming pets can follow the same route. They can’t. Book Aer Lingus or Lufthansa for the pet regardless of how you’re travelling personally.

FAQ

Common questions about Germany to Ireland pet transport

Yes. All dogs entering Ireland from EU countries must have a Praziquantel tapeworm treatment (minimum 23.4mg) administered by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before arrival. The vet records it in the EU Pet Passport. Cats are exempt.
No. Ryanair does not accept pets on any route. Use Aer Lingus or Lufthansa Cargo for the Germany-Ireland move.
No quarantine for EU pets with a valid EU Pet Passport and the required documentation. A DAFM inspection occurs at Dublin Airport on arrival.
1-2 weeks. If your pet’s EU Pet Passport and vaccinations are current, the only timing constraint is the dog tapeworm treatment window (24-120 hours before Ireland arrival).
Yes. The treatment must be given between 24 and 120 hours before the time your dog arrives in Ireland. Both ends of the window are firm. Calculate from your planned Dublin arrival time and book the German vet appointment accordingly.
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →
Ready to move your pet to Ireland?

Get a free, fully itemised quote for your Germany to Ireland pet move. Our specialists will map out the entire timeline and costs. No surprises.

Get my free quote
Get a quote for this route
Route at a glance
FromGermany
ToIreland
Prep time1-2 weeks
ComplexityLow
Chat with us