Moving to France with a Pet: EU Passport Rules, Third-Country Requirements and Registration
France has one of the largest expat communities in the EU, drawing people from the UK, USA, Germany and beyond. For pet owners, France’s urban culture – particularly Paris – is mixed: Parisians are culturally dog-positive but certain formal rules around registration, vaccination and breed restrictions apply.
Importing Your Pet to France
From EU countries: EU pet passport, ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination. Standard intra-EU movement rules under EU Regulation 576/2013. No titre test, no import permit, no quarantine.
From the UK (post-Brexit): EU third-country rules apply: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination, FAVN titre test (0.5 IU/ml or above), 3-month wait after a positive titre result, AHC completed by a UK Official Veterinarian within 10 days of arrival, TRACES NT pre-notification. Main French BIPs for air arrivals include Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Lyon Saint-Exupery (LYS) and Bordeaux-Merignac (BOD). CDG handles the bulk of international pet arrivals.
For the Eurotunnel (Le Shuttle) or ferry routes from the UK to France: the same documentation requirements apply. P&O Ferries, Brittany Ferries and DFDS operate pet-friendly cabin services between UK and French ports; check individual ferry company pet booking policies.
From the USA, Canada and other non-EU countries: Third-country protocol: microchip, vaccination, titre test, 3-month wait, government-endorsed health certificate, TRACES NT notification.
French Breed Restrictions (Races Canines Dangereuses)
France classifies certain dog breeds into two categories:
Category 1 (banned from import and breeding): Pit Bull-type dogs (American Pit Bull Terrier type without LOOF pedigree), Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier (without pedigree), Mastiff-type dogs similar to Boerboel. Category 1 dogs cannot legally be imported to France.
Category 2 (restricted, may be owned with conditions): Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier (with LOOF pedigree), Tosa Inu (with pedigree), and certain other breeds. Category 2 owners must: obtain a permit (attestation d’aptitude), have the dog tattooed or microchipped, sterilise the dog, carry third-party liability insurance.
If your dog is a Rottweiler, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier type, or a breed that might be assessed as falling into these categories, confirm your dog’s legal classification in France with the Direction Departementale de la Protection des Populations (DDPP) before importing.
Microchip Registration in France
France uses the ICAD (Identification des Carnivores Domestiques) national database. All dogs are legally required to be identified (microchip or tattoo) and registered with ICAD. Cats are strongly recommended to register. Your French vet registers the chip with ICAD when you present.
Rabies Vaccination in France
Rabies vaccination is mandatory for dogs in France. The first vaccination creates a titre; the first booster is given one year later; subsequent boosters follow the manufacturer’s recommended schedule (typically every 3 years for modern vaccines). Keep the vaccination card updated.
Life with a Pet in Paris and France
Paris has a famous (and somewhat exaggerated) reputation for dogs in restaurants. In reality, well-behaved dogs on leads are tolerated at many Parisian cafe terraces. Dogs are not permitted in most food shops, indoor public spaces or on the Paris Metro (except in a carrier under 6 kg). Jardins (formal gardens like the Jardin du Luxembourg and Tuileries) generally prohibit dogs; bois (woodlands like Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes) are more accessible.
Veterinary care in Paris and major French cities is of high quality. Emergency clinics (cliniques veterinaires d’urgences) operate in Paris and regional capitals.
Sources: French Direction Generale de l’Alimentation (DGAL); EU third-country pet travel rules; ICAD France (icad-animal.com); French Code Rural breed category legislation; UK APHA guidance.