Pet Transport UK to France: Post-Brexit Documentation in 2026
Since Brexit, UK pets entering France require an Animal Health Certificate rather than the old GB pet passport. The process takes 4-8 weeks from start to travel date and involves an appointment with an Official Veterinarian. The Eurotunnel …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm microchip is ISO-standard and pre-dates rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet to confirm
Verify now. This is the most common documentation error.
2
Confirm rabies vaccination is current and 21-day wait is complete
Responsible: Vet to verify
At least 21 days must have passed since the first vaccination in the primary course.
3
Book Eurotunnel crossing, ferry crossing, or air cargo space
Responsible: Owner
Book your transport method first, especially for popular dates.
4
Find and book appointment with APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian
Responsible: Owner
Book 2-3 weeks ahead. OV appointment must be scheduled within 10 days of travel.
5
OV issues Animal Health Certificate
Responsible: APHA-authorised OV
Within 10 days of travel date
6
Travel to France via chosen route
Responsible: Owner
On travel date. Present AHC at French border inspection post if required.
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 standard. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Primary vaccination followed by a 21-day wait before EU entry. Boosters must be within validity.
Rabies titre test
Not required. France/EU accepts pets from the UK (a listed country) without a titre test.
Quarantine
Not required for pets with correct documentation.
Import permit
No import permit required for companion animals (dogs, cats, ferrets) entering France.
Health certificate
AHC issued within 10 days of travel, valid for EU entry and then for 4 months of onward travel within the EU.
Export permit (United Kingdom)
No export permit required from the UK. The AHC serves as the travel document.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Eurotunnel vehicle booking: £60 to £200 depending on date and peak season surcharge
Ferry crossing: £50 to £180 depending on ferry company and route
AHC from Official Veterinarian: £150 to £400 depending on vet and location
Air cargo: £400 to £1,200 from Heathrow for the air route option
Pet transport agent fee if used: £200 to £800
Total typical range (driving): £200 to £600
Total typical range (air): £700 to £2,000
Critical points to read before you book
GB pet passports (issued in Great Britain) are NOT valid for entry into France or any EU country. Post-Brexit, UK pets require an Animal Health Certificate issued for each journey. This applies even if you have an old GB pet passport with valid vaccinations recorded in it.
The AHC is valid for 10 days from the date of issue for EU entry. It cannot be used for a return journey from the UK. Each trip from the UK into the EU requires a new AHC.
Certain breeds are restricted in France under dangerous dog legislation: Category 1 dogs (including Pit Bull Terrier types and Boerboel) are banned, and Category 2 dogs (including American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Tosa) require a muzzle and lead in public. These are in-country rules, separate from import entry rights.
Foot passengers on Eurotunnel cannot bring pets. Only vehicles can carry animals through the tunnel. If travelling without a car, the ferry or air option applies.
APHA-authorised OVs can be difficult to find at short notice. Book your appointment 2-3 weeks ahead, even though the examination itself must happen within 10 days of travel.
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.
BRITISH
British Airways / Air France
No pets in cabin on transatlantic-configured aircraft. Cargo service available for the air route. Air France allows small dogs and cats in-cabin on European flights from Paris.
Cargo Only
EUROTUNNEL LE
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
Pets travel in the car throughout the 35-minute crossing. Most popular option for UK to France moves. Foot passengers cannot bring pets.
Cargo Only
DFDS / P&O
DFDS / P&O Ferries
Dover to Calais or Dunkirk. Pets stay in the car during crossing or in designated pet kennels for longer sailings. Foot passengers check ferry-specific pet policies.
Cargo Only
Why the GB pet passport no longer works for France
Before Brexit, UK-issued pet passports were accepted across the EU for pet travel. Since 1 January 2021, Great Britain became a third country relative to the EU, and EU member states no longer accept GB pet passports issued in England, Scotland or Wales.
Northern Ireland (which remained within the EU single market for animal movements under the Windsor Framework) has a different arrangement and may still use EU pet passports. This guide covers pets travelling from Great Britain.
For Great Britain to EU travel, you now need an Animal Health Certificate for each journey. The AHC is issued by an Official Veterinarian (a vet specifically authorised by APHA to issue government health certificates), covers the same microchip, vaccination and health information as the old passport, and is valid for 10 days from issue for EU entry. Once in the EU, it remains valid for 4 months of onward EU travel.
Eurotunnel vs ferry vs flying: which is right for your pet?
Eurotunnel: The most popular option for UK to France moves with a dog. The crossing takes 35 minutes, and your pet stays in your car throughout. No crate required, no separation from you, no cargo handling. You drive onto the train at Folkestone and drive off in Coquelles, France. The main limitation: foot passengers cannot use this option.
Ferry: Dover to Calais (P&O or DFDS) takes 90 minutes. Your pet typically stays in your car during a short crossing. Some ferries have designated pet exercise areas on deck. Longer ferry routes (overnight crossings) may have on-board pet kennels. Check the specific ferry company’s policy.
Air cargo: British Airways, Air France and other carriers offer cargo pet services on the London to Paris route. This is significantly more expensive and adds stress for the animal compared to driving, unless you are moving internationally and air is the only option. Most UK to France pet moves drive.
FAQ
Common questions about United Kingdom to France pet transport
Yes. The AHC is valid for EU entry and 4 months of onward EU travel, but it is not valid for return entry into the UK. A return journey from France to Great Britain requires a new AHC (or in some circumstances, the French equivalent), issued by an Official Veterinarian in France within 10 days of returning to the UK. For dogs returning to the UK, tapeworm treatment within 24-120 hours of GB arrival is also required.
No. The 21-day waiting period after the primary vaccination course (or the first vaccination if your dog has never been vaccinated before) is mandatory before EU entry. If your dog was vaccinated 15 days ago, you must wait 6 more days before travelling. The Official Veterinarian cannot issue the AHC until the 21-day period is complete.
Not all vets are authorised to issue AHCs. You need an OV specifically accredited by APHA. The GOV.UK website has guidance on finding OVs, and many veterinary practices can refer you to an OV they work with for international certificates. Specialist pet transport agents in the UK also have established relationships with OVs. Book at least 2-3 weeks in advance, though the examination appointment itself must be within 10 days of travel.
Yes, but each trip from the UK into France still requires a new AHC. The AHC is not reusable. For a short holiday, the cost of the OV appointment (£150 to £400) applies every time. Some owners find this expensive for brief trips. There is currently no simplified process for frequent short trips with pets post-Brexit, though this has been discussed by the UK and EU authorities.
Yes. Cats, dogs and ferrets all require the Animal Health Certificate for UK to France travel. The core requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, 21-day wait) apply equally to all three species. There is no tapeworm treatment requirement for cats and ferrets on the outbound UK to France journey (though dogs returning to the UK from France do need tapeworm treatment).