Bringing a pet to France

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

France applies the EU Pet Travel Scheme rules for dogs entering from another country. All pet dogs must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and accompanied by an EU pet passport or an official veterinary health certificate. There is no routine quarantine for compliant pets, but dogs from high-risk rabies countries must also have a rabies titer test and wait 3 months after the test before travel. Owners from high-risk countries should start planning at least 4 months ahead. Verify current rules with the French veterinary authorities (DDPP) before travel.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to France.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

France does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. However, dogs classified as 'dangerous' (category 1: attack dogs without pedigree, e.g., American Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff, Tosa; category 2: guard/protection dogs with pedigree, e.g., Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Tosa, Rottweiler) are subject to specific rules: they must be registered, muzzled in public, and walked by an adult. For travel, these breeds may face additional airline restrictions. Always check with your airline.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • EU pet passport or official veterinary health certificate
  • Microchip certificate or proof of microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

For EU/EEA countries, an EU pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian is sufficient. The rabies vaccine must be given after microchipping, and the 21-day waiting period starts from the date of first vaccination or booster. No titer test or quarantine required.

Douane (French Customs)

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

France does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. However, dogs classified as 'dangerous' (category 1: attack dogs without pedigree, e.g., American Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff, Tosa; category 2: guard/protection dogs with pedigree, e.g., Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Tosa, Rottweiler) are subject to specific rules: they must be registered, muzzled in public, and walked by an adult. For travel, these breeds may face additional airline restrictions. Always check with your airline.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Official veterinary health certificate (endorsed by government authority)
  • Microchip certificate or proof of microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

For non-EU low-risk countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan, Australia), an official veterinary health certificate is required, issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the government authority (e.g., USDA APHIS for the USA). The rabies vaccine must be current, and the pet must be microchipped. No titer test or quarantine required.

Douane (French Customs)

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

France does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. However, dogs classified as 'dangerous' (category 1: attack dogs without pedigree, e.g., American Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff, Tosa; category 2: guard/protection dogs with pedigree, e.g., Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Tosa, Rottweiler) are subject to specific rules: they must be registered, muzzled in public, and walked by an adult. For travel, these breeds may face additional airline restrictions. Always check with your airline.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • FAVN rabies titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory
  • Official veterinary health certificate (endorsed by government authority)
  • Microchip certificate or proof of microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250. No import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

For high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a rabies titer test (FAVN) is required. The test must be done at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel. The pet must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. No quarantine if all requirements are met, but the 3-month waiting period after the titer test is mandatory. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the government authority.

Douane (French Customs)

Frequently asked questions

Up to 5 pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) can be moved non-commercially per traveller. If you bring more than 5, the movement is considered commercial, and you must comply with additional trade requirements, including an import permit and veterinary certification for trade.
It depends on the origin country. For EU/EEA and low-risk countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan, Australia), no titer test is required. For high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a FAVN rabies titer test is required, performed at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel.
No, there is no quarantine for dogs entering France if all import requirements are met (microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and titer test if applicable). If requirements are not met, the animal may be quarantined or returned at the owner's expense.
Puppies must be at least 12 weeks old for the rabies vaccination, and then wait 21 days after vaccination before travel. So the minimum age for entry is 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days). For high-risk countries, the puppy must also have a titer test at least 30 days after vaccination and wait 3 months after the test, making the minimum age around 7 months.
No. France does not exempt emotional support animals from import requirements. All dogs, including service animals, must comply with the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and titer test (if applicable) rules. Airlines may have additional policies for emotional support animals in the cabin, but import rules remain the same.
From the USA (low-risk), you need: an ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination certificate (at least 21 days old), and an official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by USDA APHIS. No titer test or quarantine is required. The health certificate must be in French or accompanied by a certified translation.
France does not ban breeds, but dogs classified as 'dangerous' (category 1 and 2) have special rules: they must be registered, muzzled in public, and walked by an adult. For travel, airlines may have their own restrictions. Check with your airline and the French embassy for the latest rules.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to France.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (or an authorised veterinarian for Andorra/San Marino/Vatican City) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport (or equivalent) issued by an authorised veterinarian in the origin country
  • Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785) — microchip must be implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccine
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • For cats under 3 months old: declaration that the animal has been kept since birth without contact with wild animals

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccine ~€20–40, EU pet passport ~€20–50, health certificate (if needed) ~€50–150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the French Ministry of Agriculture (mesd.gouv.fr).

Andorra, San Marino, and Vatican City are treated as EU-equivalent for pet movement. An EU pet passport issued in these territories is accepted. No titer test, no import permit, no quarantine. The cat must be at least 3 months old for rabies vaccination (12 weeks) plus 21 days wait, so minimum travel age is effectively 15–16 weeks.

Douane (French Customs)

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g. USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, DEFRA-authorised vet for the UK, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport (if issued in an EU country) OR an official third-country veterinary certificate (Annex IV of EU Regulation 577/2013)
  • Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785) — microchip must be implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccine
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • For cats under 3 months old: declaration that the animal has been kept since birth without contact with wild animals

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccine ~€20–40, official third-country health certificate ~€100–250, EU pet passport (if applicable) ~€20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the French Ministry of Agriculture (mesd.gouv.fr).

For non-EU low-risk origins (US, UK, Japan, Australia, etc.), an official third-country veterinary certificate is required — it must be issued by a government veterinarian within 10 days of travel. The UK is treated as a third country for pet movement post-Brexit; a GB-issued EU pet passport is no longer valid for entry into the EU, so a UK pet must travel with an official third-country certificate. No titer test, no import permit, no quarantine.

Douane (French Customs)

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g. USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Official third-country veterinary certificate (Annex IV of EU Regulation 577/2013) endorsed by the origin country's government veterinary authority
  • Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785) — microchip must be implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccine
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • FAVN rabies titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory, showing ≥0.5 IU/ml, with blood drawn at least 90 days before travel
  • For cats under 3 months old: declaration that the animal has been kept since birth without contact with wild animals (note: titer test cannot be performed on cats under 3 months, so this exemption is rarely applicable for high-risk origins)

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccine ~€20–40, FAVN titer test ~€100–250, official third-country health certificate ~€100–250, laboratory shipping fees ~€50–100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the French Ministry of Agriculture (mesd.gouv.fr).

High-risk origins (CDC-flagged for dog rabies, e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) require a FAVN titer test. The 90-day wait is from the date the blood sample was taken, not the date of the test result. No quarantine on arrival if all documentation is correct. If the titer test is not done or fails, the cat may be quarantined or returned at the owner's expense. Check the EU-approved laboratory list before travel.

Douane (French Customs)

Frequently asked questions

France follows EU rules: up to 5 pets (cats, dogs, ferrets) may be moved non-commercially per traveller. If you bring more than 5, the movement is considered commercial and requires full trade compliance — including an import licence, official veterinary certification for each animal, and compliance with EU intra-trade rules. There is no minimum number, but each animal must have its own documentation.
No. France does not exempt emotional support animals or service animals from the standard pet import requirements. A service cat must still have a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), and the correct health certificate or EU pet passport. Airlines may allow service cats in the cabin, but that is a carrier policy, not a border exemption. Do not travel with a service cat without full documentation.
No. Since Brexit, Great Britain is a third country for EU pet movement. A UK-issued EU pet passport is no longer valid for entry into France. You must travel with an official third-country veterinary certificate (Annex IV) issued by a DEFRA-authorised veterinarian within 10 days of travel. The cat must also be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. If your cat was vaccinated in the UK and you have a UK pet passport, that passport cannot be used — you need the certificate.
It depends on the origin country. If your cat is coming from a low-risk or free origin (e.g. US, UK, Japan, Australia, Andorra), no titer test is required — just a valid rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel. If your cat is coming from a high-risk origin (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a FAVN titer test is required. The blood must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel, and the result must be ≥0.5 IU/ml from an EU-approved laboratory.
A cat must be at least 3 months (12 weeks) old to receive a rabies vaccination, and then you must wait 21 days after vaccination before travel. So the practical minimum age for entry is 15–16 weeks. Exception: a cat under 3 months old may enter from a low-risk or free origin without rabies vaccination if it has a declaration that it has been kept since birth without contact with wild animals — but this exemption does not apply to high-risk origins, and the cat still needs a microchip and health certificate.
No. France does not require an import permit for non-commercial movement of cats, regardless of origin tier. You need the microchip, rabies vaccination, and the correct health certificate (or EU pet passport). For high-risk origins, you also need the FAVN titer test. No permit, no quarantine on arrival if documents are in order.
If the microchip, rabies vaccination, titer test (if required), or health certificate is missing or invalid, the French border authority may place the cat in quarantine at your expense, or refuse entry and return the cat to the origin country. Quarantine costs can run €100–300 per week or more, and you are responsible for all fees. Always check the certificate validity — it must be issued within 10 days of travel for third-country certificates.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to France.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (or an EU-recognised equivalent for Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport (or equivalent official veterinary certificate for non-EU micro-territories)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Signed owner declaration for non-commercial movement

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, rabies vaccination €20–40, health certificate/passport €50–150, EU pet passport issuance €20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the French veterinary authority.

Ferrets are listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 998/2003 (now Regulation 576/2013) as pets subject to the EU Pet Travel Scheme. From Andorra, San Marino, or Vatican City, the same rules as intra-EU movement apply: microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and an EU pet passport or equivalent certificate. No titer test, no quarantine, no import permit. The 21-day wait after primary rabies vaccination is mandatory even for these origins.

Douane (French Customs)

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g. USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, DEFRA-approved vet for the UK, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU veterinary health certificate for non-commercial movement of ferrets (Annex IV, Part 2 of Regulation 577/2013)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Signed owner declaration for non-commercial movement
  • Proof of recent veterinary inspection (within 10 days of travel)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, rabies vaccination €20–40, EU health certificate €100–250, possible courier/endorsement fees €50–100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the French veterinary authority.

For low-risk non-EU origins (US, UK, Japan, Australia, etc.), ferrets must have an ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an EU health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of arrival. No rabies titer test and no quarantine are required. The UK and some other countries may issue a pet passport recognised by the EU; otherwise the Annex IV certificate is used. Entry must be through a designated travellers' point of entry (e.g. Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Lyon, Marseille, Nice) and the certificate must be presented to customs.

Douane (French Customs)

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g. USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU veterinary health certificate for non-commercial movement of ferrets (Annex IV, Part 2 of Regulation 577/2013)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • FAVN or RFFIT rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an EU-approved laboratory
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Signed owner declaration for non-commercial movement
  • Proof of recent veterinary inspection (within 10 days of travel)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, rabies vaccination €20–40, FAVN titer test €100–250, EU health certificate €100–250, possible courier/endorsement fees €50–100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the French veterinary authority.

For high-risk origins (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), ferrets must meet all low-risk requirements PLUS a rabies titer test (FAVN/RFFIT) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. No quarantine is imposed if all conditions are met. Entry must be through a designated travellers' point of entry. The titer test must be done at an EU-approved laboratory; results from non-approved labs are not accepted.

Douane (French Customs)

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but the UK is treated as a low-risk non-EU origin for ferrets. Your ferret needs an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an EU health certificate issued by a DEFRA-approved veterinarian within 10 days of arrival. No titer test or quarantine is required. The UK pet passport is not accepted for ferrets; you must use the EU Annex IV certificate. Entry must be through a designated travellers' point of entry such as Paris Charles de Gaulle or Lyon.
France follows EU Regulation 576/2013, which caps non-commercial movement at 5 pets per traveller. If you bring more than 5 ferrets, the movement is considered commercial and you must meet additional requirements such as an import permit, veterinary certification for trade, and possibly quarantine. For 5 or fewer, the non-commercial rules above apply.
It depends on the origin country. If you are travelling from a high-risk country for dog rabies (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), yes: a FAVN or RFFIT test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml is required, taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. From low-risk or free origins (US, UK, Japan, Australia, Andorra, etc.), no titer test is required.
No. France does not impose quarantine on ferrets entering from any origin if all entry requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and titer test if applicable) are met. There is no post-arrival quarantine for compliant pets. If documents are missing or invalid, the animal may be detained, returned, or placed in quarantine at the owner's expense.
No. France does not grant any exemption from import requirements for emotional support or service animals. Ferrets, regardless of their role, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and titer test (if applicable) rules as any other ferret. Airlines may have their own policies for cabin access, but the border rules are not waived.
The ferret must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of rabies vaccination, and travel can only occur at least 21 days after that vaccination. So the minimum age at entry is 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days). There is no separate minimum age for import beyond this vaccination timing.
Non-commercial ferrets must enter through a designated travellers' point of entry. In France, these include major airports such as Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris Orly (ORY), Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS), Marseille Provence (MRS), and Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE), as well as certain rail and road crossings. You must present the original health certificate and rabies vaccination proof to customs. Check the latest list on the French agriculture ministry website before travel.

Good to know

France follows EU Regulation 576/2013 for non-commercial movement of pet animals. The rules differ by the rabies-risk status of the origin country. For EU/EEA countries, an EU pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian suffices. For non-EU countries, an official veterinary certificate is required, and for certain high-risk countries, additional titer testing and waiting periods apply. Always check the latest requirements with the French Ministry of Agriculture or your local DDPP (Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations).

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to France, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with France's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.