Here's what nobody tells you about Reunion: the import permit is not optional. It is required before your dog ever boards, and skipping it turns a lovely tropical arrival into a customs nightmare. I learned to respect paperwork like this the hard way, and Mochi just judged the queue while I sweated. Get the permit sorted early, and the rest of the trip actually stays enjoyable.

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.

How Reunion handles your pet

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

Cabin policy

Minimum age16 weeks“protective immunity, the introduction into France of dogs, cats and ferrets of less than 16 weeks of age, even vaccinated against rabies, is not authorized.”

Hold & cargo policy

Cargo: Heat embargo6°C“ts written proof that these animals are registered to participate in one of the above events or to an association organizing these events, and the animals must be older than 6 months.”

Health & documents

Health certificate required Yes“- The animals must be accompagnied by a health certificate .”

Other rules

Pets accepted Accepted“Pour entrer en France en provenance d’un pays hors de l’Union européenne avec son animal de compagnie, il importe de respecter certaines règles, qui peuvent varier suivant l’animal et le pays d’origine.”

Timing chain

Day -90 microchip implant · Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs

Order matters more than paperwork volume. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, not after. A shot given before the chip does not count and forces a repeat. Book the chip appointment first, confirm the number is logged, then schedule the rabies dose. Verify both dates on the certificate match this sequence before any Reunion travel booking is finalized.
One breed rule overrides everything else. Category 1 attack dogs are banned from import into France, and that ban includes simple transit toward another country. No permit or vaccination record changes this. Confirm the breed classification before spending on flights or documents. A category 1 animal cannot enter or pass through, so plan a different route or arrangement entirely.

Frequently asked

Does my pet need a microchip for Reunion?
Yes. Reunion requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid.
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.
Is there quarantine for pets entering Reunion?
No. Pets that meet Reunion's entry rules — microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and paperwork — enter without quarantine.
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.
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.
Timing drives the real cost here. The import permit requires a 30-day lead time after the rabies vaccination before entry qualifies. Rushing means rebooking flights and losing deposits. Vaccinate, then count 30 clear days before the arrival date. Mark that window on a calendar first and buy tickets only for dates that fall safely past it.
So that's Reunion for you and your dog: permit, microchip order, and the 30-day clock all sorted before you pack. It sounds fussy, but nail the sequence and the trip is genuinely easy. Rather than piecing it together from scattered French pages like I did, let Pawgo build you a personalized plan for your exact dates and breed. Get the plan first, then relax and enjoy the island.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Reunion →

Glossary

ISO chip
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.