Pet Transport from Canada to France: EU Entry for Canadian Pets

Canada’s EU Pet Travel Status

Canada is a listed Part 1 country under EU Regulation 576/2013. This means the process for Canadian pets entering France is relatively straightforward – no titre test, no extended waiting period.

What Your Canadian Pet Needs

  1. Microchip – ISO 11784/11785. Standard Canadian chips are typically compliant.
  2. Rabies vaccination – current. First-ever vaccination must be at least 21 days before EU arrival.
  3. EU Animal Health Certificate – prepared by a Canadian Accredited Veterinarian (CV), endorsed by CFIA, issued within 10 days of arrival in France
  4. Tapeworm treatment (dogs only) – praziquantel, 1 to 5 days before EU arrival, recorded in the AHC

CFIA Endorsement

CFIA endorses the AHC at their regional offices. Contact information and process at inspection.canada.ca. Allow 3 to 7 business days. Expedited service may be available; contact CFIA directly.

Flight Routes Canada to France

  • Air France – Montreal (YUL) and Toronto (YYZ) to Paris CDG direct. Accepts pets as hold cargo on many transatlantic routes.
  • Air Canada – Montreal and Toronto to Paris CDG direct. Accepts pets in hold and small pets in cabin on certain routes.

Air Canada’s cabin pet policy for transatlantic routes changes periodically – confirm before booking.

Practical Points

The timing pressure for the AHC (issued within 10 days of arrival) means your vet appointment and CFIA endorsement must happen in the week before travel. Plan this carefully around your departure date.

After arriving in France, you can obtain a French EU Pet Passport from a registered vet. This makes future EU travel and travel to listed countries easier.

Verify current CFIA and EU requirements at inspection.canada.ca before travel. Information accurate as of May 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Canada is listed as an approved third country under EU Regulation 576/2013. Canadian dogs and cats can enter France and other EU member states without a rabies titre test. You need a microchip, current rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old if first vaccination), and a CFIA-endorsed EU Animal Health Certificate.

A Canadian Accredited Veterinarian (CV) or registered vet prepares the EU Animal Health Certificate. The CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) endorses the certificate. Allow 3 to 7 business days for CFIA endorsement. The endorsed certificate must be issued within 10 days of your pet arriving in France.

Air Canada and Air France both operate direct routes between Canada and France (Toronto-Paris and Montreal-Paris primarily). Both airlines accept pets as cargo on these routes. Air Canada also accepts small pets in cabin on certain routes – confirm weight limits and aircraft type for your specific flight.
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