Lead time needed
20-26 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Moderate
Airlines
8 carriers on this route
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SA
FR

Pet Transport from Saudi Arabia to France

A move from Saudi Arabia to France with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Expect about 20-26 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines matter. No routine quarantine applies as long as every requirement …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Saudi Arabia to France typically takes around 20-26 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Step by step

The Saudi Arabia to France import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

2
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

3
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

4
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

5
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

6
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter France

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or at same time as rabies …
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. …
Rabies titre test
Required for: Pets from unlisted third countries. Not required for: Pets from EU …
Quarantine
No routine quarantine. Non-compliant animals may be quarantined or returned at …
Import permit
No formal import permit. EU pet passport or AHC serves as documentation.
Health certificate
Required
Export permit
Export permit from MEWA required. Apply in advance.
Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and …
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic …
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for …
Cabin and Cargo
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa …
Cabin and Cargo
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. …
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to …
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic …
Cargo Only
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM …
Cabin and Cargo
Etihad Airways
Cargo: Pets travel through Etihad Cargo. Brachycephalic breeds subject to seasonal …
Cargo Only

What France requires

Getting a pet into France is a middle of the road process. The rules are well defined, so most of the work is simply staying on schedule.

Avoiding the common mistakes

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

FAQ

Common questions

Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in France for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter France. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, cats can be transported from Saudi Arabia to France. The same microchip, vaccination, and health certificate requirements apply as for dogs, though some rules (such as tapeworm treatment) apply to dogs only. Check the full requirements for cats with the destination authority.
Airline guides
  • Emirates
  • Air France
  • Lufthansa
  • British Airways
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
  • KLM
  • Etihad Airways
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet to France.

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SA FRSaudi Arabia to France
International pet transport route
Lead time20-26 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityModerate
Airlines8
ServiceDoor to door
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