Sarah traveling with Cooper the Golden Retriever
Sarah · with Cooper (Golden Retriever, 28kg)
“I've relocated internationally 3 times with Cooper.”
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Can You Bring Your Pet to France?

Yes — France welcomes both dogs and cats as long as you follow EU import regulations. I've moved Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, across three countries, and France's process is straightforward when you plan ahead. The key is understanding the documentation requirements and timing them correctly. No quarantine is required if your pet meets all health and identification standards.

France is an EU member state, which means it follows harmonized pet import rules under EU Regulation 577/2013. Whether you're relocating from the United States, United Kingdom, or another country, the core requirements are the same: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and proper timing between each step.

Breed Restrictions in France

Dogs: France has breed restrictions. The following breeds are banned or restricted:

  • American Staffordshire Terrier (banned)
  • Mastiff (banned)
  • Tosa (banned)
  • Rottweiler (restricted)

If you own a restricted breed, you'll need additional documentation including liability insurance and proof of training. Check with France's veterinary authority before booking your move.

Cats: No breed restrictions apply to cats in France.

Your Preparation Timeline

6 Months Before Departure

Schedule a pre-travel vet consultation. Your veterinarian needs to confirm your pet is healthy enough to travel and review France's specific requirements. This is also when you'll discuss microchipping if your pet doesn't already have one. I always book this appointment early because good vets fill up quickly during peak moving season.

4–5 Months Before Departure

Get your pet microchipped (if not already done). France requires an ISO 11784/11785 standard microchip. The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination. If your pet is already microchipped, verify the number is registered and up-to-date. This step is non-negotiable — no microchip, no entry.

4 Months Before Departure

Administer the rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old at vaccination. The vaccine must be valid for at least 12 months from the date of travel. After the initial rabies shot, you must wait a minimum of 21 days before traveling. Mark this date on your calendar — it's a hard deadline.

3 Months Before Departure

Arrange your health certificate appointment. The EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC) must be issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of travel. Book your appointment now so you have flexibility if you need to reschedule. The certificate must be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (USDA APHIS for US residents, APHA for UK, CFIA for Canada, etc.).

2 Weeks Before Departure

Confirm all documentation is in order. Verify your pet's microchip is registered, rabies vaccination is current, and you have the original health certificate. Check your airline's pet policy — Air France and other carriers have specific pet travel requirements. If traveling by cargo, arrange this now with a pet shipping specialist.

7–10 Days Before Departure

Schedule your health certificate exam. Contact your veterinarian to book the official health certificate appointment. This must happen within 10 days of your departure date. The vet will examine your pet, verify the microchip, confirm rabies vaccination records, and issue the original certificate. You'll need the original — copies are not accepted.

24–48 Hours Before Departure

Administer tapeworm treatment (dogs only). If your dog is traveling, tapeworm treatment with praziquantel must be given between 24 and 120 hours before arrival. Document this with your vet — it must be recorded on the health certificate. Cats do not require tapeworm treatment for France entry.

Essential Documents Checklist

  • Original EU Animal Health Certificate (issued within 10 days of travel, endorsed by government vet)
  • Microchip registration proof (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for 12 months, given at least 21 days before travel)
  • Tapeworm treatment documentation (dogs only, given 24–120 hours before arrival)
  • Airline pet travel documentation and booking confirmation
  • Pet passport (if available from your country)
  • Proof of identity for your pet (photos, description)
  • Veterinary health records from your home country

Special Considerations

Service Dogs & Assistance Dogs

Trained guide dogs and assistance dogs are recognized in France under EU regulations. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not recognized — they're treated as regular pets. If you have a trained service dog, you'll need proof of training from a recognized organization (FFAC, ANECAH, ADI, or IGDF). Service dogs still require standard microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate documentation, but they may receive airline accommodations. Provide 48 hours' advance notice to your airline.

Puppies & Kittens

Pets under 15 weeks of age cannot enter France. This is a hard EU rule. If you're adopting a young pet abroad, wait until they're at least 15 weeks old before traveling.

Traveling from Non-EU Countries

If your pet has been in a non-Annex II country (most countries outside the EU) within the past 6 months, additional requirements apply. You'll need a rabies antibody titer test (FAVN or ELISA) showing ≥0.5 IU/ml, with blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. There's a 3-month waiting period from the date of the satisfactory result before entry. This significantly extends your timeline — plan for 5–6 months of preparation if this applies to you.

Cargo vs. Cabin Travel

If shipping Cooper internationally, I always use a pet-specialized cargo service. They handle all documentation coordination with customs and veterinary authorities. Cabin travel is simpler for smaller pets — check your airline's size and weight restrictions. Most European airlines charge €50–200 for cabin pets.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Microchipping after vaccination: The microchip must come first. If you vaccinate before microchipping, you'll need to restart the entire timeline.
  • Waiting less than 21 days after rabies vaccination: This is a legal requirement, not a guideline. You cannot travel before 21 days have passed.
  • Using a copy of the health certificate: Only the original, government-endorsed certificate is accepted. Make copies for your records, but bring the original to France.
  • Missing the 10-day health certificate window: The certificate expires 10 days after issue. If you miss your flight, you'll need a new one.
  • Forgetting tapeworm treatment timing (dogs): It must be given 24–120 hours before arrival. Too early or too late, and it won't be valid.
  • Not registering the microchip: A microchip is useless if it's not registered with your contact information. Register it immediately after implantation.
  • Assuming your breed is allowed: If you have an American Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff, Tosa, or Rottweiler, verify restrictions with France's veterinary authority before moving.

What About Quarantine?

Good news: France does not require quarantine for compliant pets. As long as your pet has a valid microchip, current rabies vaccination, and a government-endorsed health certificate, they can enter without quarantine. This is one of the major advantages of following EU rules precisely — no delays, no facility costs, no separation from your pet.

After Arrival in France

Once you arrive, register your pet with a local French veterinarian within the first week. They'll verify your documentation and can advise on local requirements like pet registration with your commune (municipality). France doesn't have a national pet registry, but some regions require local registration. Your vet will guide you through this process.

Key Resources

For official information, consult:

Ready to Move Your Pet to France?

The process is straightforward when you plan backwards from your departure date. Start with the microchip, follow the 21-day rabies waiting period, and time your health certificate for the final 10 days before travel. I've done this three times with Cooper, and the key is staying organized and booking vet appointments early.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — it will generate a custom timeline based on your specific departure date and pet's current status.

This guide is based on official French government sources and EU regulations (Regulation 577/2013). Requirements are current as of 2024 and auto-verified from official sources. Always confirm with your veterinarian and France's veterinary authority before traveling, as regulations can change.

Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 23, 2026