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Pet Transport France to Latvia: 2026 Guide

Latvia is an EU member state, so the France-to-Riga move follows the EU Pet Travel Scheme. Your pet needs an EU passport with a current rabies vaccination and ISO microchip, issued …

1-3 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Low
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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What's required
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip …
Rabies vaccinationCurrent rabies vaccination required. …
Rabies titre testNot required. Both France and Latvia are …
QuarantineNot required for compliant arrivals from …
Import permitNot required for non-commercial …
Health certificateEU pet passport. Valid throughout the EU …
Related routes
Pet Transport Latvia to France→Pet Transport France to Estonia→Pet Transport France to Lithuania→
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
Before other preparations.
Confirm ISO 15-digit microchip

Responsible: French official vet

2
First vaccination: 21-day wait. Booster: no wait.
EU pet passport with current rabies vaccination

Responsible: Veterinaire habilitee in France

3
4-6 weeks before. Confirm live animal policy on both legs.
Book cabin or cargo on CDG-AMS-RIX route

Responsible: Owner or agent

4
KLM AMS-RIX is a direct 2-hour service from AMS.
Travel day: CDG to RIX via Amsterdam approximately 4 hours total

Responsible: Owner

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip required, recorded in the EU pet passport.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. First vaccination: minimum 21 days before entry. Booster within valid period: no wait.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Both France and Latvia are EU member states. No rabies antibody titre test is needed under the EU Pet Travel Scheme.
Quarantine
Not required for compliant arrivals from other EU member states.
Import permit
Not required for non-commercial companion animal movements within the EU.
Health certificate
EU pet passport. Valid throughout the EU including Latvia.
Export permit
No export permit required for companion animals moving between EU member states.
Health certificate
EU pet passport issued by a veterinaire habilitee in France. Records the microchip number, rabies vaccination history, and owner details. No separate export health certificate needed for intra-EU travel.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your France to Latvia move gets missed.

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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

KLM Paris CDG to Amsterdam, then AMS to Riga direct
KLM operates Paris CDG to Amsterdam (AMS) with a direct connection to Riga (RIX). KLM Cargo handles live animals on both legs. The Air France-KLM Group makes this a single booking. AMS-RIX is a short direct service. One of the strongest options on this corridor.
Cargo and Cabin
airBaltic via Riga
airBaltic is the Latvian carrier with a Riga hub. Some airBaltic routes connect from Paris or via Amsterdam. Cabin pets accepted on most airBaltic European flights under 8kg. Live animal cargo also available at RIX.
Cargo and Cabin
Lufthansa via Frankfurt
Air France partners and Lufthansa connections allow routing CDG-FRA-RIX. Frankfurt Animal Lounge handles cargo animals at FRA. A viable option particularly if direct KLM-CDG availability is limited.
Cargo and Cabin
Ryanair (cabin only, secondary airports)
Ryanair serves France-Riga routes from secondary French airports such as Paris Beauvais or Lyon Bron. Cabin pets only under their policy. No hold or cargo service. Only suitable for very small dogs and cats.
Cabin Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

EU pet passport: EUR 50-100 from French official vet
Cabin pet fee CDG to Riga (two legs): EUR 80-200
Cargo fee for larger dogs: EUR 400-1,100
IATA travel crate: EUR 60-250
Total for small cabin pet: EUR 130-300
Total for large dog via cargo: EUR 600-1,500

Critical points

Latvia bans Pit Bull-type dogs. This is a national law. American Pit Bull Terrier and similar breeds cannot enter Latvia. Check the current PVD list at pvd.gov.lv if there is any doubt about your dog's breed classification.

Cabin pet limits on KLM and Air France: the pet and carrier together must not exceed 8kg and the carrier must fit under the seat. These limits are enforced at check-in.

The EU pet passport must be issued by a veterinaire habilitee. Confirm your vet's authorised status before the appointment. A standard private vet certificate is not a substitute.

airBaltic's Riga hub may offer competitive fares and direct RIX handling. Check airBaltic in addition to KLM when comparing options from France.

Latvia's Pit Bull ban: the one thing to check before you book

Latvia’s ban on Pit Bull-type dogs is a national legal prohibition, not just a public order rule. American Pit Bull Terrier and dogs classified as similar types cannot be imported into Latvia. If you own a dog of this type or a mixed-breed dog that could be categorised under the ban, Latvia is not an accessible destination.

For owners of other breeds, Latvia’s entry requirements are those of any EU member state: valid EU pet passport with ISO microchip and current rabies vaccination. The Partikas un veterinarais dienests (PVD) is the competent authority at pvd.gov.lv.

If you are unsure whether your dog’s breed is on Latvia’s list, contact the PVD directly. The ban is clearly defined in Latvian law, and it is better to clarify before booking than to arrive at Riga Airport with a pet that cannot be admitted.

From Paris CDG to Riga: the Amsterdam connection

The strongest routing from Paris CDG to Riga is through Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) with KLM. CDG to AMS takes about 1.5 hours; AMS to RIX is a direct 2-hour flight. The Air France-KLM Group relationship means you can book both legs together, and KLM Cargo handles live animals on this corridor.

For cabin pets (under 8kg including carrier), the two-leg CDG-AMS-RIX route is manageable. The AMS connection is efficient and well-organised. For larger dogs in cargo, Amsterdam’s live animal handling is well-established.

airBaltic, the Latvian national carrier, is also worth checking. airBaltic operates from various European cities and offers direct connections to Riga from some French departure points. As the carrier at the Riga hub, airBaltic has home-ground familiarity with live animal handling at RIX.

FAQ

Common questions

No. France and Latvia are both EU member states. The EU Pet Travel Scheme does not require a rabies antibody titre test for intra-EU movements. A current rabies vaccination in a valid EU pet passport is the requirement. Source: EU Regulation 576/2013.
No. Latvia does not impose quarantine on pets arriving from other EU member states with a valid EU pet passport. Spot checks by the PVD may occur at Riga Airport but quarantine is not a routine outcome.
Latvia prohibits American Pit Bull Terrier and similar Pit Bull-type dogs from entry. Latvia also restricts other potentially dangerous breeds (Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, and others) which must be registered and muzzled in public. Check pvd.gov.lv for the current official list.
The EU pet passport must be issued by a veterinaire habilitee, an authorised official vet registered with DGAL. Many private vets in France hold this status, but not all. Confirm with your vet before booking the appointment.
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