Author: Jaziba Luqman
Last updated: September 2026

Moving to France with your dog, cat, or ferret from another EU country is usually straightforward if your pet’s identification, rabies vaccination, and travel documents are in order.

The main requirements are an ISO-compliant microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and a valid EU pet passport. France also has specific rules for young animals, the number of pets you can bring, certain dog breeds, and pets that will stay in France permanently.

This guide covers the key requirements you need to know before travelling to France with your pets.

Table of Contents

1. Essential Entry Requirements for Bringing Pets to France from the EU

For a dog, cat, or ferret travelling from another EU country to France, you should meet the following essential requirements:

For the latest requirements, check the European Commission's official pet-travel guidance before travelling. The European Commission’s current pet-travel guidance is available Here.

2. Microchip Your Pet According to French ISO Standards

Your pet must be identified with a microchip that can be read with a compatible scanner.

The microchip should be implanted before the rabies vaccination. If the rabies vaccine was given before the pet was properly identified, it may not meet the travel requirements.

If your pet has an older tattoo rather than a microchip, the tattoo may only be accepted in limited circumstances, such as when it was applied before the relevant EU identification rules took effect and remains clearly readable.

3. Make Sure Your Rabies Vaccination Meets the 21-Day Rule

Rabies vaccination is one of the most important requirements for travelling to France. For a primary vaccination:

• The pet must be at least 12 weeks old.
• The vaccination must be recorded correctly in the pet’s documentation.
• You must normally wait at least 21 days before travelling.

Booster vaccinations should be given before the previous vaccination expires. This helps maintain continuous validity without restarting the waiting period.

If the rabies vaccination has expired, a new primary vaccination may be treated differently from a timely booster, so check the dates carefully before booking your journey.

4. Carry a Valid EU Pet Passport for Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets

Your dog, cat, or ferret should travel with a valid European pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian. The passport records important information such as:

• Microchip details
• Rabies vaccination
• Vaccination dates and validity
• Owner's information
• Other relevant health and identification information

An EU pet passport generally remains valid as long as the health information recorded in it remains current.

5. Check France's Strict Minimum Age Rule for Puppies

This is an important point if you are travelling with a puppy or kitten.

While some EU countries allow young pets to enter without a rabies vaccination, France does not accept this exemption. To enter France, your pet must follow this strict timeline:

• It must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the primary rabies vaccination.
• You must wait at least 21 days after this vaccination before travelling.
• French Customs strictly prohibits the entry of any dogs, cats, and ferrets that are under 16 weeks old.

Do not assume a very young pet can enter France simply because another EU country permits it.

6. Tapeworm Treatment: Usually Not Needed for France

If you are travelling directly from another EU country to France, the Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) treatment is normally not required.

However, it is always a good idea to verify this with your veterinarian or transport provider before your trip, especially if your route involves transiting through other countries. If the treatment is required for your specific journey, it must generally be administered by a veterinarian between 24 and 120 hours before arrival.

7. How Many Pets Can You Bring? (The 5-Pet Limit for Non-Commercial Travel)

You can travel with up to five pets (dogs, cats, or ferrets) under the standard non-commercial rules.

This allowance is designed for pets travelling with their owners, not for commercial sales or transferring ownership.

If you are travelling with more than five pets for a specific event (such as a competition or exhibition), your pets must be over six months old and you will need to provide written proof of registration for the event.

8. Can Someone Else Travel With Your Pet?

Yes, your pet can travel with another authorised person, as long as the journey meets the EU’s non-commercial travel rules. In this case, your own journey must take place within five days before or after your pet’s journey, and you may need to provide a written declaration.

If the pet travels completely unaccompanied or the journey falls outside these conditions, different animal-health and import requirements will apply.

9. Means of Travel of Your Pet to France

Your pet must meet France’s entry requirements regardless of whether you travel by car, plane, or train. However, airlines and transport operators may have their own rules for travelling with pets, so these should be checked before departure.

If you are travelling by plane, the airline may have specific requirements based on your pet’s size, carrier, route, and whether the pet travels in the cabin or the aircraft’s designated animal area.

For travel within Paris, RATP allows small animals, including cats and small dogs, to travel free when carried in a suitable closed bag or carrier. Larger dogs are allowed on the Metro and RER when leashed and muzzled, but they are not permitted on buses and trams. Category 1 and 2 dangerous dogs are not admitted.

Check the latest RATP rules for travelling with an animal before using public transport in Paris.

10. France's Regulated Dog Breeds

France has strict rules concerning certain types of dogs.

Category 1 dogs are attack dogs without a recognised pedigree that resemble certain types such as American Staffordshire Terrier (pit bull), Mastiff (boerbull), or Tosa. Their import into France is prohibited.

Category 2 dogs include pedigree American Staffordshire Terriers, Tosa, and Rottweilers, as well as some dogs without a pedigree that have the physical characteristics of a Rottweiler. These dogs may be imported, but specific rules apply.

The classification can depend on the dog’s pedigree and physical characteristics. If you are unsure whether your dog falls into one of these categories, check the official classification before travelling.

You can find the detailed Category 1 and Category 2 dog classification Here and the current import requirements Here.

11. I-CAD Registration for Permanently Moving Your Pet

If your pet is going to reside in France for more than three months, additional registration requirements will apply. The animal must be entered into France’s national identification database, known as I-CAD.

After arriving in France, you must visit a French veterinarian within eight days. The veterinarian can check the animal’s identification and prepare the documentation needed for registration.

This is separate from the EU pet passport requirement. The EU pet passport covers your pet’s travel requirements, while I-CAD registration is needed once your pet is living in France.

See the official I-CAD guidance for animals arriving from another EU country for the current procedure.

12. Rules for Other Pets (Rabbits, Birds, Reptiles, Etc.)

The pet travel rules described above mainly apply to dogs, cats, and ferrets.

If you are bringing a rabbit, bird, reptile, rodent, ornamental fish, or another type of pet to France, do not assume that the same requirements will apply. Different species can have different health certificates, documentation, identification, or other entry requirements.

Some animals may also be subject to additional wildlife or species-protection rules, depending on the animal and its origin.

Before travelling, check the requirements for your specific species with the relevant French and EU authorities.

Official French guidance: French Ministry of Agriculture — Importing Companion Animals from Non-EU Countries

13. Travelling Around France With Your Pet

Bringing your pet into France is only the first step. If you plan to travel around the country, you should also check the rules for taking animals on public transportation.

On the RATP network in the Paris region, the requirements vary depending on your pet:

• Small animals: Cats, small dogs, rabbits, rodents, and other small animals may travel free of charge if they are carried in a closed bag, basket, or appropriate carrier.
• Large dogs: Larger dogs may use the Metro and RER, but they are not permitted on buses or trams. They must remain on a leash and wear a muzzle.
• Assistance and guide dogs: These dogs are accepted throughout the network free of charge. They must be on a leash and wear an identification harness. A muzzle is not required, but supporting documentation may be requested.
• Category 1 and 2 dogs: These dogs are prohibited from using the RATP network.

Because these rules apply specifically to the RATP network, check the requirements of the local transport operator if you will be traveling outside the Paris region. This can help you avoid problems when moving around France with your pet.

Official RATP guidance: RATP — Travelling with an Animal

14. Pre-Travel Checklist for Bringing Your Pet to France from Another EU Country

Before leaving for France with your pet, check the following:

• Your pet has a readable microchip.
• The microchip was implanted before the rabies vaccination.
• Rabies vaccination is valid on the travel date.
• At least 21 days have passed after the primary rabies vaccination.
• The EU pet passport is complete and up to date.
• Your pet meets France’s age requirements.
• You are travelling with no more than five pets under the normal rules.
• If someone else is travelling with your pet, the five-day rule and written declaration are covered.
• Your airline or train operator accepts your pet.
• You have checked France’s rules if your dog may fall into a regulated category.
• If staying in France for more than three months, you have planned the I-CAD registration process.

FAQs

Can a puppy under 16 weeks enter France?

France does not accept the young-animal exemption. A primary rabies vaccination is given from 12 weeks and normally requires a further 21-day waiting period before travel. French Customs also states that animals under 16 weeks are not authorised to enter France.

Do I need tapeworm treatment before travelling to France?

No, not for the specific Echinococcus requirement. That treatment is required for dogs travelling to certain destinations such as Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland.

Does my pet need I-CAD registration?

If your pet is going to reside in France for more than three months, it must be registered in the French national identification system. The official I-CAD procedure requires a veterinarian visit within eight days of arrival.

Can I bring more than five pets?

The standard non-commercial EU rules cover up to five pets. More than five may be possible in specific circumstances, such as competitions or exhibitions. Additional conditions will apply.

Which dogs are banned in France?

Category 1 dogs are prohibited, while Category 2 dogs can be subject to strict conditions. Check the current French Customs requirements before travelling with a potentially regulated dog.

Official Sources

For the most up-to-date requirements, always check the official sources before travelling:

• European Commission – Travelling with pets
• French Customs – Travelling with a dog, cat or ferret
• I-CAD – Importing an animal from another EU country
• RATP – Travelling with an animal

Rules can change over time, so verify the requirements before your departure, especially if your pet is young, travelling without you, or belongs to a regulated dog category.

If you or anyone you know is traveling from a different region, be sure to check out our other specific guides on How to Bring Your Pet to France from Another EU Country: Complete 2026 Guide or How to Bring Your Pet to France from a non-EU Country: Complete 2026 Guide for the right paperwork.