Marco · with Mochi (French Bulldog, 6kg) “Mochi judges the queue length, not me.” Meet all guides →
About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Marco is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Réunion surprised me in the best way. A pet flying directly from mainland France is not importing anything: it is a movement within French territory, and the regulations ask for no specific veterinary paperwork, not even a rabies vaccination, which stopped being required in 2008. Mochi's harder questions were the airline's. Arriving from outside the EU is a different, much longer story.
Bringing a pet to Reunion requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
Who sets the rules here
Reunion applies the rules of France as its baseline, and adds requirements of its own on top.
Official source
daaf.reunion.agriculture.gouv.fr
Relationship to France
inherits, plus local rules
How Reunion handles your pet
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination21 daysverified 2026-07-14
Rabies vaccination · Max vaccine age at travel3 monthsverified 2026-08-28
Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination12 weeksverified 2026-07-15
Other rules
Pets accepted✓ Acceptedverified 2026-08-28
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs
Conditional requirements
These rules apply only to some travellers — where the pet is departing from, where it has been, or who is travelling with it. Most people can ignore them, but if one applies to you it can change what you need, or mean denied entry if you skip it.
Pet moving to Réunion from mainland France
Rabies titer (blood) test: DAAF Réunion: "En dehors des cas particuliers présentés ci-dessous, aucune disposition sanitaire ou vétérinaire particulière n'est requise réglementairement pour amener un animal directement de métropole vers la Réunion"; a health certificate some airlines ask for is "propre à chaque compagnie" and "ne présente pas de caractère réglementaire"; and "L'obligation de vaccination antirabique pour les carnivores domestiques ... provenant d'un autre département est abrogée depuis janvier 2008" (it remains for travel to or from Guyane). The page excludes sea transport and flights with a third-country stopover from this general rule; the trigger cannot see a stopover, which is noted rather than guessed.
Health certificate: DAAF Réunion: "En dehors des cas particuliers présentés ci-dessous, aucune disposition sanitaire ou vétérinaire particulière n'est requise réglementairement pour amener un animal directement de métropole vers la Réunion"; a health certificate some airlines ask for is "propre à chaque compagnie" and "ne présente pas de caractère réglementaire"; and "L'obligation de vaccination antirabique pour les carnivores domestiques ... provenant d'un autre département est abrogée depuis janvier 2008" (it remains for travel to or from Guyane). The page excludes sea transport and flights with a third-country stopover from this general rule; the trigger cannot see a stopover, which is noted rather than guessed.
Rabies vaccine: DAAF Réunion: "En dehors des cas particuliers présentés ci-dessous, aucune disposition sanitaire ou vétérinaire particulière n'est requise réglementairement pour amener un animal directement de métropole vers la Réunion"; a health certificate some airlines ask for is "propre à chaque compagnie" and "ne présente pas de caractère réglementaire"; and "L'obligation de vaccination antirabique pour les carnivores domestiques ... provenant d'un autre département est abrogée depuis janvier 2008" (it remains for travel to or from Guyane). The page excludes sea transport and flights with a third-country stopover from this general rule; the trigger cannot see a stopover, which is noted rather than guessed.
Restricted breeds: chiens classés en 2ème catégorie verified 2026-08-31
Where a rabies vaccination is required, such as for arrivals from outside the EU or travel involving French Guiana, identification must always come before the vaccine. A vaccine recorded before the microchip date does not count, so the animal has to be revaccinated, and any titer test and 90-day wait that depend on that vaccination start again from the new date.
Dogs likely to be dangerous face the strictest rule on the island: first-category dogs of Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff and Tosa type not registered in a recognised stud book cannot be brought in at all. Second-category dogs may enter only under the conditions set by a 2010 prefectoral order, so an owner of either category should check before booking anything.
For arrivals from outside the EU, the health certificate is valid for only 10 days from its date of issue, extended by the length of a sea crossing. From mainland France no certificate is required by law, though some airlines ask for one before a long flight, which is a cost set by the carrier rather than by Réunion. Check the airline's own rule first.
For a flight from Paris, Réunion is one of the simplest trips Mochi and I have planned: confirm the airline's own pet rules and any certificate it asks for, check your dog is not a restricted category, and book. Arriving from outside the EU means the full import route instead, with a titer test and a 90-day wait to build in. Start the plan by naming your departure point.
Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: August 01, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Reunion require rabies vaccination for dogs?
Yes, Reunion requires a rabies vaccination for imported dogs. There is a 21-day waiting period after vaccination. Exact timing depends on your origin country — compute your timeline at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Is there a quarantine period for pets entering Reunion?
No, Reunion does not require quarantine for imported pets, provided all documentation is in order. Verify your requirements at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Reunion require a microchip for pets?
Yes, Reunion requires an ISO-compliant microchip. The microchip must typically be implanted before rabies vaccination. Get your full checklist at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
What health certificate does Reunion require for pets?
Reunion requires a veterinary health certificate for imported pets. It must be issued within 10 days of travel. Government endorsement is required. Get exact document requirements at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Reunion require a rabies titer test?
It depends where you travel from. Coming from the EU or a listed (Annex II) country, no titer test is required. It is only required for a pet arriving from an unlisted third country: blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, from an approved lab. Plan your timeline at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Reunion have breed restrictions for pets?
Yes, Reunion has breed-specific restrictions. Restricted breeds include: Staffordshire terrier (non-LOF), American Staffordshire terrier / pit-bull (non-LOF), Mastiff / boerbull (non-LOF), Tosa (non-LOF). Check if your breed is affected at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does my pet need a microchip for Reunion?
Yes. Reunion requires an ISO-standard microchip. It must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid.Build my pet's travel plan →
How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for Reunion?
The rabies vaccine must take effect at least 21 days before entry, and can be given from 12 weeks of age. Travelling before that window makes the vaccination invalid at the border.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Reunion require a rabies antibody (titer) test?
Only for pets arriving from a country not on the EU's listed (Annex II) countries. Those pets need a rabies antibody titer test from an approved lab. Pets from EU or listed countries do not.Build my pet's travel plan →
Is there quarantine for pets entering Reunion?
No. Pets that meet Reunion's entry rules — microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and paperwork — enter without quarantine.Build my pet's travel plan →
What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.Build my pet's travel plan →
What happens if I forget a document?
At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.Build my pet's travel plan →
Traveling to Reunion?
Get a personalized travel checklist with exact deadlines for your pet.
