Important: New EU rules effective April 22, 2026
France follows the standard EU pet travel scheme, but they have some specific “don’ts” regarding certain dog breeds that you absolutely need to know.
The Big Three: Microchips, Shots, and Waiting
Before your pet can say “Au revoir” to home, they need three things in this exact order:
- The Microchip: Must be ISO-compliant (11784 or 11785). If your pet has a tattoo from before July 2011, it’s only valid if it’s clearly legible and you have written proof of when it was done.
- The Rabies Jab: This must happen after the microchip is implanted. Even if your pet was vaccinated yesterday, if they weren’t chipped first, it doesn’t count in the eyes of French Customs!
- The 21-Day Rule: After the first (primary) rabies shot, you must wait 21 days before entering France.
Paperwork: Passports and Certificates
- From the EU: You just need a standard EU Pet Passport. Easy-peasy.
- From “Third Countries” (USA, UK, etc.): You need an EU Health Certificate issued by an official vet within 10 days of arrival in France.
- The Titer Test (The “High Risk” Rule): If you are coming from a country with high rabies risk (like Russia or Belarus), your pet needs a Blood Titer Test done at least 3 months before travel. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
The “No-Go” List: Dangerous Dog Categories
France is very serious about its “Dangerous Dog” laws. If your dog looks like a certain breed but doesn’t have a pedigree, you might hit a wall.
- Category 1 (Banned): You cannot import “attack dogs” that don’t have a pedigree. This includes Pitbulls (Staffordshire Terriers), Mastiffs (Boerboels), and Tosa types.
- Category 2 (Restricted): Pedigreed Rottweilers and American Staffordshire Terriers are allowed, but you need a permit from the local Town Hall (Mairie), liability insurance, and the dog must be muzzled and leashed in public.
- Pro-Tip: If your dog is a mix that looks like a Pitbull, bring a vet certificate stating its actual breed to avoid a very awkward conversation at customs.
Rodents, Rabbits, and “The Others”
France isn’t just for cats and dogs!
- The Limit: You can bring up to 5 pets per person.
- Rabbits & Rodents: Must have a microchip, a health certificate issued within 5 days of travel, and technically require a 21-day “home quarantine” upon arrival.
- Birds: Due to avian flu concerns, birds have extra rules (like 30 days of pre-travel quarantine or a negative flu test).
Welcome to France: The ICAD Registry
Once you land and clear customs, the work isn’t quite over. If you’re staying for more than 3 months, you must register your pet with I-CAD (the national database).
- Take your pet to a French vet within 7 days of arrival.
- The vet will verify the chip and issue a provisional certificate.
- You’ll pay a small fee (around €10–€15) to I-CAD, and voila! Your pet is officially a French resident.
💡 Expert Tips for 2026:
- The “5-Day” Rule: Your pet must travel within 5 days of you. If they travel earlier or later, it’s considered a “commercial” shipment, and the paperwork gets much more expensive.
- Muzzling: Even if your dog is a sweetheart, Category 2 dogs and “aggressive-looking” breeds must be muzzled on public transport in France.
- Pet-Friendly Trains: Most French trains (SNCF) allow pets! Small pets in carriers pay about €7, while larger dogs pay half a 2nd-class fare.
Useful Links
Official rules for importing pets into France
Official website of the French administration
The site through which you can register your animal in France
From France
Document requirements
Health certificate:
Obtainable from any veterinary clinic. If necessary, you can perform antiparasitic treatment and put a stamp on the examination. A sample certificate is here.
Certificate for departure:
Not issued separately. It is necessary to certify the health certificate issued by the veterinary clinic at the Départementale De la Protection des Populations (DDPP) office.
You must make an appointment with DDPP in advance by email. You must come in person without the animal with the following documents:
health certificate;
veterinary passport of the animal (it must contain vaccines, a chip and treatments).
Some DDPP offices additionally require:
veterinary passport with previous vaccinations;
European certificate, according to which the animal entered France;
original certificate for titers.
The certificate is valid for 10 days.
Rabies titers
Needed for travel to a country with a red rabies status and returning back to the EU, as well as to Israel, China, UAE, Turkey, South Korea without returning.
Useful Links
The address and email of DDPP in your city
Approved Laboratories for Performing Serological Tests to Monitor the Efficacy of Rabies Vaccines
PetsTravel Info – the most complete and reliable information on international travel regulations for dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and even exotic pets.
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