Pet Transport from Ireland to the United Arab Emirates

The UAE’s pet import system recognises Ireland as a low-risk, approved country for dogs and cats. This classification means Irish pets do not face a titre test requirement and are not subject to routine quarantine on arrival, provided all documentation is in order. The key requirements are a readable ISO microchip, a current and valid rabies vaccination (with at least 21 days elapsed since initial vaccination), a valid import permit from the appropriate emirate authority, and an AHC issued by a DAFM-authorised official vet within ten days of travel.

The permit is issued by the local municipality of the emirate you are moving to. Dubai: Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department. Abu Dhabi: ADAFSA. Sharjah and the Northern Emirates: contact the relevant municipality. The process and fees differ between emirates, so confirm which authority you need to apply to before starting the paperwork. Applications are typically submitted online and processing takes a few weeks.

The UAE also has a list of restricted and banned dog breeds. This list is set at the federal level and includes a number of large and brachycephalic breeds. Check the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and your destination emirate’s authority for the current list before travel, as breed restrictions are enforced at the airport. Source: MOCCAE, moccae.gov.ae.

Emirates is the primary carrier for this route and offers the only direct service from Dublin Airport to Dubai International (DXB). All pets on Emirates travel as manifest cargo via Emirates SkyCargo. There are no in-cabin pet options on any Emirates route. The cargo hold is temperature-controlled and pressurised, but the airline imposes seasonal heat embargoes when ground temperatures at Dubai Airport exceed safe thresholds for animal welfare. These embargoes typically apply from June through September. If you are planning a summer move, contact Emirates SkyCargo directly before booking to confirm whether your travel dates fall within an embargo period.

Book cargo space through Emirates SkyCargo or an IATA-accredited cargo agent. The booking is separate from your passenger ticket. You will need your pet’s crate dimensions and weight to get a cargo quote. Emirates uses the IATA Live Animals Regulations to assess crate adequacy, so size your crate using the IATA container requirements before booking to avoid issues at check-in.

If Emirates cargo capacity is unavailable, or if your destination is Abu Dhabi rather than Dubai, Etihad Airways operates cargo services. Etihad does not serve Dublin directly, so routings go via a European hub. This adds transit time and an additional connection point for your pet, so the Emirates direct service from Dublin is the cleaner option where possible.

The AHC is the most time-sensitive document on this route. It must be issued by a DAFM-authorised official vet and is valid for ten days from the date of issue. Book the vet appointment to fall within the ten-day window before your departure. DAFM maintains a register of authorised official vets on gov.ie/dafm. Some UAE entry points require additional endorsement or stamping of the health certificate; confirm this with the relevant emirate authority when you apply for your import permit.

The import permit must be in hand before you travel. Do not book flights until you have the permit confirmed, as entry without a permit will result in refusal and potential return of your pet to Ireland at your cost. Most permits are granted within two to four weeks of application, but allow more time in busy periods.

Keep all original documents with you in the cabin, not in checked luggage. On arrival in Dubai, your pet will be collected from the cargo facility, and all documents will be checked against the import permit. Discrepancies in microchip numbers, vaccination dates, or certificate formats cause delays, so cross-check every document before you travel.