Moving to France with a Pet: Import Rules and What You Need in 2026
France is one of the most pet-friendly countries in the world for living with animals, but getting your pet there requires the right paperwork. The rules depend entirely on where you’re coming from.
Arriving from EU countries
If your pet has a valid EU pet passport showing current microchip and rabies vaccination records, entry into France is straightforward. No import permit, no titre test, no additional endorsement needed. Present the passport at entry.
Arriving from the UK
Post-Brexit, UK pets travel as non-EU animals. You need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) in the UK and endorsed by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Dogs additionally need a tapeworm treatment (praziquantel, 50-150mg per kg body weight) administered by a vet 1-5 days before arrival in France. The AHC is valid for 10 days from the date of the vet examination, so timing matters.
Dogs travelling from the UK for the first time without a previous EU pet passport will also need a rabies antibody titre test if they have not previously been vaccinated before the microchip was implanted.
Arriving from other non-EU countries
Pets from countries on the EU’s approved list (which includes the USA, Canada, Australia, and others) need an AHC in the EU format, plus microchip and rabies vaccination. Pets from non-listed countries additionally need a valid titre test result.
All non-EU arrivals must enter through an EU border inspection post (BIP) that handles live animals. Check approved entry points with French customs (DGAL) before booking travel.
Rabies vaccination
France requires current rabies vaccination for all arriving pets. The vaccine must be administered after the microchip is implanted to be valid. First-time vaccination requires a 21-day waiting period before the pet can travel into the EU.
Tapeworm treatment
Only dogs are affected. Cats are exempt from the tapeworm requirement. Treatment must be carried out by a vet 1-5 days (24-120 hours) before arrival in France.
Practical note
France does not operate a quarantine system for pets arriving with complete, correct documentation. Get the paperwork right and your pet steps off the plane or ferry and comes straight home with you.