To be able to enter French territory, your cat, dog or ferret must be identified, vaccinated against rabies and possess a European passport handed over and filled in by a veterinary. Since July 3rd 2011, the identification chips are the sole means of identification for travels within the European Union, except for animal identified by tattoos prior to this date.

Never bring your pet with you if it doesn’t meet the sanitary requirements for France or the community territory. It is strictly prohibited to bring unidentified, unvaccinated animals, or that come from countries where rabies still exists.

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DOGS, CATS AND FERRETS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION

To be allowed on French territory (continental France, Corsica and French overseas departments), cats, dogs and ferrets must:

  • be identified by an electronic chip (transponder) implanted under the skin (ISO 11784 standard or annex A of the ISO 11785 standard). If the chip is not compliant with any of those standards, you will have to obtain the necessary means to read the chip. Animals identified by tattoo before July 3rd, 2011 will still be able to travel freely in the European Union as long as the tattoo is still clearly legible.
  •  Have received vaccination against rabies that is still in effect (first vaccination and boosters).
  • Possess a European passport delivered by a veterinary authorised by the competent authority to attest of their identification and vaccination against rabies. Warning: carnivorous household animals under three months old and unvaccinated against rabies cannot enter French territory. However, an animal under three months old duly vaccinated might be authorised to enter French territory.

>> to find out more, you can download the Ministère de l’Agriculture file about coming to France with your pet from a EU member country.

DOGS, CATS AND FERRETS FROM COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE EU

The number of pets you can bring with you is limited to 5. Should you wish to bring more than 5 pets with you, you will have to comply with conditions and controls applicable to commercial movement of animals.  To enter French territory, cats, dogs and ferrets must:

  • be identified by tattoo or electronic chip (transponder) implanted under the skin (ISO 11784 standard or annex A of the ISO 11785 standard). If the chip is not compliant with any of those standards, you will have to obtain the necessary means to read the chip. Since July 3rd, 2011, transponders are the sole identification means authorised.
  • Have received vaccination against rabies that is still in effect (first vaccination and boosters).
  •  Have been submitted to a serum titration of anti-rabics antibodies (laboratory test on a blood sample to check the efficiency of the animal’s vaccination against rabies). This test has to be delivered by a laboratory accredited by the European Union at least 30 days after the vaccination and less than three months before import. The result of the serum titration must be superior or equal to 0.5UI/ml.

Given the necessary time for those tests, it is recommended to start the formalities at least four months before the animal’s importation date.

>> To learn more, download the Ministère de l’Agriculture file to learn more about importing animals from countries outside the EU, the border control website on pet importation, or the dedicated page on the French government website.

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Pet birds, rodents and other fish and other reptiles are submitted to special regulation. Find out the necessary information in advance.

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ANIMALS EXPORTATION CONDITIONS Some countries request special formalities for animal exportation (like obtaining an exportation permit). Contact the competent authorities of your country of residence. If, during its transportation, the animal must pass through one or several countries, you will have to comply with the regulation of those countries.  Please note that some countries do not allow animal transit. General information on the policy of numerous countries regarding animal transit is available on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website.

 

CONDITIONS OF TRANSPORTATION OF YOUR ANIMAL You should also get in touch with the airline companie(s) to know the conditions of transportation of your animal (baggage hold of cabin, norms of the cage, food, and so on). To know more about the international norms regarding animal transportation and cages, check the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website.

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For more details, check our source materials:

Dedicated section on the Ministère des Affaires Etrangères website.

Transportation section on the Ministère de l’Agriculture website.