Armenia to France requires the same preparation as any EU-unlisted country move. Armenia is not on the EU listed country register, which means the full unlisted process applies: microchip first, then rabies vaccination, FAVN titre test …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) - must precede all vaccinations
Responsible: Armenian vet
First step. Chip before any rabies vaccination.
2
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Armenian vet
After microchipping. Wait at least 30 days before blood draw for titre test.
3
FAVN titre test blood draw at EU-approved laboratory
Responsible: Armenian vet + EU-approved laboratory
At least 30 days after vaccination. Ship to an EU-approved laboratory. Allow 2-4 weeks for results.
4
90-day wait from the date of successful titre test result
Responsible: N/A
Mandatory. Cannot be shortened. The 90-day clock starts from the blood draw date of the successful test.
5
Book cargo from Yerevan to France
Responsible: Owner or agent
During the 90-day wait. Air France direct EVN-CDG is the most direct option. Confirm live animal acceptance.
6
EU-format health certificate from SSFS-authorised vet
Responsible: SSFS-authorised vet + SSFS
Within 10 days of travel to France.
7
Travel to France
Responsible: Airline + owner
Travel day. Yerevan to Paris CDG direct is approximately 4-5 hours on Air France.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter France
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit). Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days since primary vaccination before titre test blood draw. Full vaccination records required.
Rabies titre test
Required. Armenia is an unlisted country for EU pet import. FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. A 90-day wait from the date of the successful blood draw result must pass before entry into France (and the EU). Source: EU Regulation 2020/692.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals in France.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU-format non-commercial health certificate from SSFS-authorised vet, endorsed by SSFS. Valid for 10 days as entry document.
Export permit (Armenia)
No formal export permit required for personal companion pets from Armenia.
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory (blood draw plus processing): AMD 30,000-80,000 (approximately EUR 70-200) plus international sample shipping
EU health certificate from SSFS-authorised vet: AMD 10,000-30,000 (approximately EUR 25-75)
Cargo Yerevan to Paris (direct Air France or via hub): EUR 400-1,500 depending on carrier and crate size
IATA travel crate: EUR 80-300
Pet transport agent (recommended): EUR 400-1,000
Total typical range: EUR 700-3,000 across a 5-7 month preparation period
Critical points to read before you book
The 90-day wait after a successful titre test is a hard legal minimum under EU regulations. It cannot be shortened. If you pass the titre test on day 1, you cannot enter France before day 91. Plan accordingly.
Microchip before vaccination. The sequence is critical. If the chip is implanted after the rabies vaccination, the vaccination does not count for EU purposes and you restart from the beginning.
EU-approved laboratories for the FAVN test are mostly in Europe and North America. Your Armenian vet draws the blood correctly and ships it cold to the approved lab. Confirm your vet has done this before.
Armenia is not EU-listed. Armenia's bilateral agreements with the EU cover trade, not veterinary import classifications for pets. The full unlisted process applies without exception.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
AIR FRANCE
Air France
Operates direct flights between Yerevan (EVN) and Paris CDG. Air France Cargo handles live animal freight. Paris CDG is France's primary pet import point.
Cargo Only
TURKISH
Turkish Airlines
EVN to Istanbul (IST), then IST to Paris CDG. Turkish Airlines Cargo handles live animals. IST is a well-used transit hub for Caucasus-to-Europe cargo.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt (FRA) connections from Yerevan, then FRA to France via domestic or Lufthansa Group services. Frankfurt Animal Lounge available.
Cargo Only
FLYONE ARMENIA
Flyone Armenia
Armenian carrier operating routes from EVN to European cities including Paris. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance on specific flights before booking.
Cargo Only
Why Armenia is unlisted and what that means in practice
The EU maintains a register of countries whose pet travel rules are considered equivalent to EU standards. Countries on this list (including the USA, UK, Canada, and several others) can move pets into the EU with a health certificate and current vaccination, without a titre test or wait period.
Armenia is not on this list. This is not a reflection on Armenia’s veterinary standards or its relationship with the EU. The listed status is granted based on a formal equivalence assessment, and most countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia have not been assessed. The result is that pets from Armenia must go through the full unlisted process.
In practical terms: microchip implanted before the first rabies vaccination, vaccination, wait 30 days, blood draw for FAVN titre test at an EU-approved laboratory, result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above, then a mandatory 90-day wait from the blood draw date. This wait cannot be shortened. After it passes, the health certificate can be issued and travel can proceed. Source: EU Regulation 2020/692.
Air France direct Yerevan to Paris: the cargo option
Air France operates direct scheduled services between Yerevan (EVN) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). For pet cargo, this is the most direct routing available on this corridor. Air France Cargo handles live animal freight on this service, making CDG the natural French entry point.
The flight time is approximately 4-5 hours. At CDG, your pet clears French border inspection (which is the EU point of entry inspection). For compliant pets with correct documentation, this inspection is a formality.
If the Air France cargo schedule does not suit your travel dates, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST) offers an alternative. IST is one of the main transit hubs for Caucasus-to-Europe pet movements, and Turkish Airlines Cargo has experience with live animal freight from EVN.
FAQ
Common questions about Armenia to France pet transport
No. Armenia’s Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU covers trade and economic cooperation. It does not affect EU veterinary import classifications for pets. Armenia remains an EU unlisted country for pet travel purposes, and the full unlisted process (FAVN titre test plus 90-day wait) applies when moving a pet to France or any other EU member state.
Cabin pet policies vary by airline. Air France permits small pets (under approximately 8 kg including carrier) in the cabin on some routes, including flights to and from Yerevan. For larger pets, cargo is the only option. Confirm Air France’s current cabin pet policy for the EVN-CDG route directly with them before booking, as restrictions can change.
The EU publishes a list of approved laboratories at food.ec.europa.eu. Most approved labs are in Europe. From Armenia, this means your vet draws the blood, stores it correctly (typically in a medium with sodium azide as preservative), and ships it via international courier to the approved lab. The lab issues results in 2-4 weeks. A pet transport specialist familiar with the EVN corridor can recommend a suitable lab and handle the shipping logistics.