Pet Transport from France to Germany

France to Germany is about as simple as international pet travel gets. Both are EU member states. A valid EU Pet Passport covering microchip and rabies vaccination is all you need. No quarantine, no …

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Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

Days quarantine on arrival

Very Low

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Step by step

The France to Germany import process

Immediate. A vet visit to verify.

Confirm EU Pet Passport is current with valid rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your vet

Book 1-3 weeks ahead.

Choose transport: rail (Paris-Frankfurt TGV) or air

Responsible: You

Day of travel.

Travel. No border inspection.

Responsible: You

Requirements

Germany entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be recorded in the EU Pet Passport.

Rabies vaccination

Required and current. Standard EU protocol: 21-day wait from first vaccination, no wait for valid booster.

Rabies titre test

Not required. France is an EU member state. No titre test for intra-EU movement.

Quarantine

Not required. EU free movement applies.

Import permit

Not required. EU Regulation 576/2013 governs this movement.

Health certificate

EU Pet Passport sufficient.

Leaving France

Export requirements

Export permit

No export permit required for intra-EU pet movement.

Health certificate

EU Pet Passport sufficient for movement to Germany.

Costs

What this route typically costs

TGV ticket Paris to Frankfurt (EUR 40-120, pet supplement varies)

Air France or Lufthansa cabin pet fee (EUR 50-70 typically)

EU Pet Passport update if vaccination expired (vet fee EUR 20-60)

Critical points

Confirm the rabies vaccination in your pet's EU passport is current. An expired vaccination means the passport is not valid for travel.

France has breed restrictions (Categorie 1 and 2). Germany has Länder-level breed bans for certain types. Check breed-specific rules if you have a restricted breed.

Keep the EU Pet Passport accessible even when driving, random inspections do occur at EU internal borders.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
TGV / SNCF Rail (recommended)	Cabin: TGV and SNCF allow small pets in a carrier on board. Paris to Frankfurt takes under 4 hours. This is the most pet-friendly option for France-Germany travel, no cargo separation, no airport. Dogs allowed with ticket.	Cabin and Cargo
Air France	Cabin: small pets in cabin on Air France intra-European routes. Paris CDG to Frankfurt FRA or Munich MUC. Quick flights (1 hour) but airport handling less relaxed than rail.	Cabin and Cargo
Lufthansa	Cabin: small pets in cabin on Lufthansa intra-EU routes. Frankfurt or Munich from Paris. Pets up to 8kg in carrier permitted in cabin.	Cabin and Cargo
Eurowings	Cabin pets on intra-EU Eurowings routes from Paris or Lyon to German cities. Lower-cost option.	Cabin and Cargo
easyJet	easyJet does not accept pets. Not suitable.	No Pets

Rail vs air: the France-Germany comparison

Factor	Rail (TGV/SNCF)	Air (Air France/Lufthansa)
Journey time Paris-Frankfurt	~3h 45min	~1h 20min flight, plus airport
Pet in cabin	Yes: carrier under seat	Yes: under seat for small pets
Pet separation	None	None for cabin pets
Cargo option	N/A	Yes, for larger animals
Airport check-in time	None	2 hours
Stress level for pet	Lower	Higher (noise, check-in, security)
Cost	EUR 40-120 + pet supplement	EUR 80-200 + pet fee
Breed restrictions	Very few	Airline-specific brachycephalic rules
Overall convenience	High	Moderate

For most France-Germany moves, rail wins unless your final destination is remote from Frankfurt or Paris.

What the EU Pet Passport must show

Three things must be in order before you travel. Microchip number recorded and matching the chip in your pet. Rabies vaccination documented as current (not expired, within the manufacturer’s stated validity period). And the passport issued by an EU-authorised veterinarian.

Germany’s BMEL enforces EU Regulation 576/2013. Random inspections do happen at internal EU crossings. If your passport shows an expired vaccination, your pet can be refused onward travel.

If you’ve lost the passport or it’s out of date, your vet issues a replacement and re-vaccinates if needed. A 21-day wait from the new vaccination applies before travel.

Breed-specific rules to check before you go

France operates a two-category restricted dog system. Categorie 1 (fighting dogs and crosses with a specific physical profile) are banned in France and cannot leave or enter as a legal pet. Categorie 2 includes Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, and Tosa Inus, these require a permit, sterilisation, and owner registration in France.

Germany applies breed restrictions at Länder (state) level. Bayern, Hessen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, and others all have their own lists. Pit Bull Terrier types, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are commonly restricted. Check the specific rules for the German state you’re moving to.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. A valid EU Pet Passport showing a current microchip and rabies vaccination is sufficient for pet movement between France and Germany. No titre test, import permit, or quarantine applies under EU Regulation 576/2013.

Yes. SNCF TGV allows small pets in carriers on board for a supplementary fee, and larger dogs with a ticket, muzzle, and lead. This is often the most practical option for France-Germany pet travel.

If your EU Pet Passport and vaccinations are current, you can travel within days. The only preparation needed is booking your transport. If the rabies vaccination has lapsed, allow 21 days from the new vaccination before travel.

Yes. German breed restrictions operate at the Länder (state) level. States including Bayern, Hessen, and Nordrhein-Westfalen have lists of restricted breeds requiring permits or banned outright. Check the specific rules for the German state you’re relocating to before travel.

Larger pets travel in the cargo hold on air routes. On rail, most train companies permit dogs of any size with a ticket, muzzle, and lead (varies by service). Check with SNCF and DB for current large-dog policies on your specific service.

Airline guides

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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