Pet Transport from Germany to France
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
Germany to France is one of the simplest international pet moves possible. Both countries are EU members. Your EU Pet Passport is all you need. No titre test, no quarantine, no advance paperwork beyond what your vet already issues.
The real decision is how to travel. Rail, Deutsche Bahn connecting to SNCF, is genuinely one of the best options for taking a pet across this border. Frankfurt to Paris takes under 4 hours. Your pet stays with you the whole time.
The Germany to France process
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: You
Responsible: You
France: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Minimum age 12 weeks. Valid and current within manufacturer's validity period. 21-day wait from first vaccination applies if not previously vaccinated. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required for pets from EU member states. Germany is an EU country with a fully controlled rabies vaccination programme. No titre test, no waiting period. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine. Free movement within the EU for compliant pets. |
| Import permit | Not required. EU Regulation 576/2013 governs intra-EU pet movement. |
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport (Passeport européen pour animaux de compagnie) accepted. Must show valid microchip and current rabies vaccination. |
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No export permit required for personal pets within the EU. |
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport sufficient for movement within the EU. Issued by any EU-authorised veterinarian. |
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Rail ticket: Deutsche Bahn or SNCF international service (Frankfurt-Paris from approx EUR 50-120) |
| 2 | Small pet cabin ticket on rail or air (typically EUR 10-50 supplemental fee) |
| 3 | Cargo fees if pet is too large for cabin on air services |
| 4 | EU Pet Passport renewal if expired (vet fee, typically EUR 20-50) |
Read before you book
Airlines on this route
Compliance requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Status |
|---|---|
| Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) | Required: must be in the EU Pet Passport |
| Rabies vaccination | Required: current and within validity period |
| Titre test | NOT required (EU to EU movement) |
| Quarantine | NOT required |
| Import permit | NOT required |
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport sufficient |
| Entry port inspection | NOT required |
| Minimum preparation time | Days (if passport is current) |
Source: EU Regulation 576/2013, as implemented by French DGAL.
Rail vs air: which works better for your pet?
The Germany-France corridor is one of the few international routes where taking the train genuinely beats flying for pet travel. The Intercity-Express (ICE) connects Frankfurt to Paris Gare de l’Est in about 3 hours 45 minutes, with departures throughout the day.
On Deutsche Bahn, small dogs and cats in carriers travel free of charge. Larger dogs travel for half the adult fare with a muzzle and lead required. The same applies on SNCF TGV services on the French side. No cargo hold, no airport separation, no temperature embargo anxieties. Your pet sits under your seat or at your feet for the entire journey.
If you’re flying, Lufthansa and Air France both permit small pets in cabin on intra-European routes. Larger animals travel in the hold. The Frankfurt to Paris CDG flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, short enough that most pets tolerate it well in a compliant carrier.
The EU Pet Passport: what needs to be in it
For intra-EU travel, the EU Pet Passport is the complete document. It records your pet’s microchip number, rabies vaccination history, and veterinary details in a standardised format recognised across all 27 EU member states.
Check three things before travel: the microchip number printed in the passport matches the chip in your pet when scanned; the rabies vaccination is current and not expired; and the vet who signed it is an EU-authorised practitioner.
Lost your pet’s passport? Your vet can issue a replacement, but they’ll need to re-vaccinate if records are unavailable. Allow a 21-day wait from that vaccination before travel.
Common questions
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