Pet import requirements for France
What France asks for before a dog or cat can enter — the microchip, the rabies work, the permit and the paperwork — and how far ahead you need to start. We handle all of it on a move we arrange.
Import rules change, and they change without notice. Last verified 2025-06-05 by the country-profile service Furry Freight uses; profile last updated 2025-09-15. Confirm every requirement with the authority named below, or with us on (424) 421-1650, before you book a flight or start any vet work.
France at a glance
| Requirement | For France |
|---|---|
| Microchip Required | A microchip is required |
| Rabies | All pets have to wait at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination before they can travel to France |
| Rabies antibody test | Rabies Titer Test, depending on country of origin |
| Import permit | France does not require an import permit for dogs, cats, or ferrets that are personal family pets |
| Minimum age to travel | At least 15 weeks old |
| EU rules that also apply | This destination is grouped with the European Union; confirm whether EU pet-movement rules apply |
| Customs clearance | it is possible for an owner to clear their own pets, a broker is recommended, and much preferred by the Customs |
Where this fits in the timeline. The order matters more than the effort: a rabies vaccination given before the microchip was implanted does not count in most regimes, and a titer test drawn too early restarts a waiting period. On a move we handle, we check your pet's existing dates against these rules on the free consultation before anything is booked.
The detail
France, country of northwestern Europe. Because France is in Europe, transit countries on the way can impose extra live-animal rules even when the destination file looks straightforward. At least 15 weeks old.
Import requirements
At least 15 weeks old
- Microchipped Before Vacinations
- Pet Passport/Health Certificate and Vaccination Records
- Rabies Titer Test if France reqires from orginating Country
Effective September 2, 2019:
The use of an Import Agent will be mandatory for all AVI shipments with final destination CDG. This new procedure only in volves cats & dogs being shipped on an air waybill/cargo.
Requirements- Feb-2018
For the pets (maximum 5 pets) travelling with his owner or a designated person (within 5 days before or after the arrival of the owner of the designated person).
Need proof of relocation with pet.
Invoice required with in coterm
Customs charges 20% Vat
Invoice required with in coterm
Customs charges 20% Vat
• You must use the "commercial" health certificate if you or a designated person cannot travel within 5 days of your pet, or you are traveling with 6 or more pets.
• The "commercial" health certificate must be issued by an Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA within 48 hours of departing the U.S. with your pet.
Designated person is a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pet.
Identification and microchip
A microchip is required. Must be done prior to Rabies vaccination.
Rabies and vaccinations
All pets have to wait at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination before they can travel to France. Please note that the rabies vaccination for pets traveling to the EU must be greater than 21 days old and less than 1 year old at the time of travel. If your pet's vaccination will be over 1 year, then a new vaccine will be needed at least 21 days prior to travel and must have rabies blood test done if traveling from a non listed country. A pet traveling from a non-listed country (Rabies in fected country) must have the Fluorescent Antibody Viral Neutralization test at least 90 days before travel to anywhere the EU.
Rabies.
Dogs: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus), Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Leptospirosis, CIV (Canine Influenza Virus)
Cats: FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia), Feline Leukemia
Tests and treatments
Rabies Titer Test, depending oncountry of origin.
If you take your dog to Finland, Malta, Ireland (in cluding Northern Ireland) or Norway after entering the EU, your dog must be treated for tapeworms by an EU veterinarian 1-5 days before entering those countries.
Health certificate and permits
Required if Coming from Country outside the EU.
Must be issued within 5 days before departure from the country of export by an accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the competent authority. Health certificate is valid for 30 days after the Accredited Veterinarian issues it. The final page of the EU Health Certificate contains a Declaration that must be completed and signed by the pet owner or designated person before the pet travels to France. The Declaration must accompany the pet and health certificate to France.
France does not require an import permit for dogs, cats, or ferrets that are personal family pets.
Veterinary Certificate
Restrictions and banned breeds
Banned breeds list - See website
All assimilated to pitbulls/ American Staffordshire terriers/tosa mastiffs boerbulls (non pedigree)
· Each family is limited to 5 pets.
· Pets are not to be sold under any circumstances.
Customs, agents, and airports
it is possible for an owner to clear their own pets, a broker is recommended, and much preferred by the Customs. A broker can speed up the process by knowing where to go for Agriculture and Customs. Some airlines may require the 'OK-to-Forward' which can only be given by a Broker.
BIP airports in France (and French overseas territories in blue)
LA REUNION (RUN) Reunión Island
MARSEILLES (MRS) (*Only for accompanied pets*. No unaccompanied ‘commercial’ allowed)
NICE (NCE)
ROISSY (CDG)
TOULOUSE (TLS) (*Only for accompanied pets*. No unaccompanied ‘commercial’ allowed)
GUYANE (OYP)
MARTINIQUE (FDF)
Airports listed on this destination file: CDG, ORY, PAR, MRS, NTE, RNS, TLS, LIL, MPL, BOD, LYS, NCE, BES, UIP.
A professional customs broker and freight forwarder is required for all commercial movements.
For all shipments arriving on Air France, it must be a professional customs broker whether commercial or not.
Most customs of fices are referring owners to get a professional broker for any import. (especially since COVID)
Export notes
All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving France for another EU Member State must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies (in that order) and wait 21 days before leaving France. If you are planning to take your pet on a trip to a country with a high in cidence of rabies, your veterinarian should do a rabies titer test before you leave France if you intend to return. Export permits may be required for non-accompanied transports.
Official contacts
Some of France's overseas territories are actually Departments of France (with their own in ternational telephone dialing codes) and come directly under Paris and EU legislation; others are dependent territories.
French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion Overseas Territories: French Polynesia (Austral or Tubuai islands, Marquesas Islands, Society archipelago [Windward and Leeward islands], Tuamotu and Gambier archipelago), New Caledonia, Southern and Antarctic territories, Wallis and Futuna Islands Territorial Collectivities: Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miguelon Various Islands: Bassas de India, Clipperton, Europa, Glorieuses, Juan de Nova, Tromelin
Ministry of Agriculture
78 rue de Varenne
75349 Paris, France
Phone: +33 1 4955 81 74
Office of Agricultural Affairs
Paris, France
+33 1 43 122-277
Laboratories
Ministry of Agriculture website
- Contact the Ministry of Agriculture
General Directorate of Food
International health coordination mission
Veterinary and phytosanitary border in spection service
251 rue de Vaugirard - 75732 Paris cedex 15
Email: sivep.dgal @ agriculture.gouv.fr
Current as of June 2024
Disclaimer
Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2025-06-05.
Next: measure your dog, find the kennel size, then get a free travel quote. Moving on military orders? PCS moves. Going to Hawaiʻi instead? Hawaiʻi has its own regime.
Other destinations: Albania · Andorra · Austria · all destinations
Official sources for France
- non-listed country food.ec.europa.eu
- country of origin ec.europa.eu
- See website agriculture.gouv.fr
- Website agriculture.gouv.fr
- Ministry of Agriculture agriculture.gouv.fr
- sivep.dgal @ agriculture.gouv.fr diplomatie.gouv.fr
Questions about moving a pet to France
Does my dog or cat need a microchip for France?
A microchip is required
From the country profile, last verified 2025-06-05.
What rabies vaccination does France require?
All pets have to wait at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination before they can travel to France
Is a rabies antibody (titer) test needed for France?
Rabies Titer Test, depending on country of origin
A titer test is the single most common reason a move takes months rather than weeks, because the waiting period runs from the blood draw.
Do I need an import permit to bring a pet into France?
France does not require an import permit for dogs, cats, or ferrets that are personal family pets
How old does a puppy or kitten have to be to travel to France?
At least 15 weeks old