Travelling to Ireland with your dog is one of the best motorhome experiences you can have — but since Brexit, the rules have become more complicated.

And as of March 2026, they’ve changed again.

This guide explains exactly what you need to travel from Great Britain to Ireland with a dog, including the latest rule changes that are catching people out.

🚨 April 2026 Update – Important Changes

As of 22 April 2026, new rules have come into effect that impact pet travel between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the EU.

• ❌ You can no longer exchange an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for an EU pet passport
• ❌ EU pet passports can only be issued to EU or Northern Ireland residents
• ❌ EU pet passports with a GB address are no longer valid

👉 Official guidance:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets

What this means

If you live in Great Britain, you will now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for every trip to Ireland or the EU.

The old “pet passport workaround” is effectively over.

🧭 What You Now Need (GB → Ireland)

If you’re travelling from England, Scotland or Wales to Ireland, your dog must have:

✔️ 1. Microchip

Your dog must be microchipped before anything else.

✔️ 2. Rabies Vaccination

• Must be done at least 21 days before travel
• Must be recorded by your vet

✔️ 3. Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

• Issued by a vet
• Must be done within 10 days of travel
• Valid for:
  
  • Entry into the EU (including Ireland)
  • Onward travel within the EU for 4 months
  • Return to the UK

👉 GOV guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad

✔️ 4. Tapeworm Treatment (Dogs Only)

• Must be given 1–5 days before arrival in Ireland
• Must be recorded by a vet

 EU Pet Passports (Updated 2026)

This is where many people get confused.

❌ If you live in Great Britain:

• EU pet passports are not valid for pets resident in GB
• You cannot get one in Northern Ireland or the EU
• You cannot update one with a GB address

👉 They are now restricted to EU and Northern Ireland residents only

⚠️ Already have an EU pet passport?

• It may look valid
• But if you live in GB, it may be rejected at the border

👉 Bottom line:
Do not rely on it — you should use an AHC instead

 Northern Ireland Travel (Important)

This is especially relevant for motorhome travellers.

✔️ Travelling GB → Northern Ireland only

You can use a:

NI Pet Travel Document (PTD)

• Free
• Much easier than an AHC

❌ Travelling GB → Northern Ireland → Ireland

This is where people get caught out.

• A PTD is NOT valid for entering Ireland
• You still need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

👉 Official guidance confirms this:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets

🚐 Why This Matters for Motorhome Travel

If you’re planning a road trip to Ireland with your dog:

• You’ll now need a vet appointment before every trip
• Costs are typically £100–£250+ per AHC
• You need to plan timing carefully

👉 Especially important if you’re:

• Taking frequent trips
• Touring long-term
• Entering via Northern Ireland

⚠️ Common Mistakes (2026)

Avoid these — they’re the most common issues at the moment:

• ❌ Assuming an old EU pet passport is still valid
• ❌ Trying to get a passport in NI or Europe as a GB resident
• ❌ Travelling with only a PTD into Ireland
• ❌ Leaving the AHC too late (must be within 10 days)

🐶 Simple Checklist

Before you travel, make sure you have:

• ✔️ Microchip
• ✔️ Rabies vaccination (21+ days old)
• ✔️ Animal Health Certificate (within 10 days)
• ✔️ Tapeworm treatment (1–5 days before arrival)

📩 Want an Easier Way to Plan?

I specialise in dog-friendly motorhome routes around Ireland, including:

• Best overnight stops
• Dog-friendly beaches & walks
• Route planning to avoid stress

👉 Check out our dog friendly Parks & Parks route around Northern Ireland that you only need a PTD for. Download Route

Check out this video of when I took my 2 golden retrievers on the ferry: Pet Ferry Trave