Before traveling, we suggest you to check the conditions for transporting animals with the airline or train company with which you plan to travel.
We also recommend verifying with the French Embassy in your country of residence if there are any specific measures applied for travels with pets between the two countries.
Bringing pets from non-EU countries
If you want to bring your pet to France, you need to remember that every pet from a non-EU country must be declared and presented to Customs for document and identity checks before they can be allowed into France. Importing an undeclared animal can result in a fine and confiscation of the animal.
Look at the list below to determine if you can bring your pet with you:
dogs, cats, ferrets;
reptiles;
amphibians;
invertebrates (except bees and crustaceans) and which are not intended for sale or donation;
rodents and domestic rabbits;
ornamental fish;
all species of birds (except poultry).
All other animals (including monkeys) are excluded and must therefore be presented for veterinary inspection at a border inspection post on entering French territory.
The person accompanying the pet must be either the owner or an individual who assumes responsibility for it on the owner’s behalf.
What happens at the customs
The customs authorities carry out their inspection in the context of a non-commercial movement involving no more than five specimens. Where these conditions are not met, the veterinary authorities are responsible for inspecting the animals concerned at a border inspection post. A common veterinary entry document (CVED) is issued on completion of the inspection and must be presented in support of the customs declaration.
Some dogs are not allowed on the French territory!
There is a ban on importing certain attack dogs into France. The dogs concerned are Category 1 dogs ("attack dogs") without a pedigree recognised by the French Ministry of Agriculture belonging to the following breeds: Staffordshire terrier, American Staffordshire terrier (pitbull), Mastiff (boerbull) and Tosa.
Category 2 dogs ("guard and defense dogs") are authorized subject to compliance with the regulations specific to dogs likely to be dangerous.
Any dog brought into France can only enter if it has at least 1 adult tooth.
The maximum number of dogs or cats that can be brought from abroad to France is limited to 5.
Travel from a non-EU country to France with pets
Entering France with a dog, cat or ferret - procedure
Identify the animal with an electronic chip (transponder) or a clearly readable tattoo if applied before July 3, 2011
Vaccinate the animal, especially against rabies, before entering France or the European Union: the animal must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of the first vaccination and a period of at least 21 days after the vaccination must be respected
A test proving the effectiveness of the rabies vaccine (serum titration of rabies antibodies) in an approved EU laboratory: at least 30 days after vaccination and 3 months before travel. This examination is not necessary if the situation of the country of origin is favorable with regard to rabies and it is carried out once in the life of the animal (as long as the vaccine is kept valid).
To have a health certificate conforming to a European model and established by an official veterinarian of the country of origin and to have the proof of vaccination of the animal. You can download the model of certificate: Importanxcomp0722 format pdf - 425.7 ko - 12/07/2022
In the case of a return to the European Union with an animal that has been tested and found not to be a rabies carrier before leaving the European Union, if the vaccine is still valid and there has been no rabies booster in the third country or titration, it is not necessary to proceed with a new certification. The certificate can be replaced by the animal's passport.
ICAD identification
Dogs or cats must be registered at the ICAD within 8 days of their arrival in France.
You must take your pet to a veterinarian so that they can draw up the form entitled provisional identification certificate for import or intra-community exchange.
Your veterinarian can enter this form online and attach scanned supporting documents for your pet (depending on its country of origin).
More information here.