Pet Travel to France: Essential Guide for Dogs and Cats

Planning your journey from the UK to France requires careful preparation to ensure your pet meets all current EU entry requirements.

• Microchip: Your pet must be fitted with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip before receiving any rabies vaccination.
• Rabies: A valid rabies vaccination is mandatory, with a 21-day waiting period required after the primary vaccination before travel.
• Health certificate: You must obtain an Animal Health Certificate issued by an official veterinarian within 10 days of your travel date.
• Import permit: No import permit is required for non-commercial travel, provided you are moving no more than five pets.
• Tapeworm: While not mandatory for entry into France, ensure your pet is healthy and meets all general EU animal health standards.
• Arrival checks: Border officials will verify your pet's microchip and health documentation upon arrival at the French port or terminal.
• Breed restrictions: France enforces strict regulations on certain attack dog breeds, which may be restricted or banned from entry entirely.
• Always confirm current rules with your vet and official authorities on both sides before you travel as regulations can change.

Returning to the UK from France involves specific health checks to ensure your pet complies with British border regulations.

• Microchip: Your pet must be identified by a compliant microchip, which must be scanned and verified against your travel documents.
• Rabies: A valid rabies vaccination must be recorded in your pet's travel document, administered after the microchip was implanted.
• Travel document: You must carry an EU pet passport or an official veterinary health certificate issued for travel to Great Britain.
• Rabies blood test: This is generally not required for pets travelling from France, provided all vaccination records are complete and valid.
• Tapeworm treatment: Dogs must receive tapeworm treatment from a vet between 24 and 120 hours before their scheduled arrival in the UK.
• Quarantine: No quarantine is required for your pet if all health standards and documentation requirements are fully met upon arrival.
• Compliance: Ensure all paperwork is accurate to avoid delays, as compliant pets are not subject to quarantine measures at the border.
• Always confirm current rules with your vet and official authorities on both sides before you travel as regulations can change.

Moving pets between EU countries is straightforward, though specific documentation is required to ensure a smooth and compliant journey.

• Passport: A valid EU pet passport issued in the pet's country of residence is sufficient for travel between EU member states.
• Border checks: There are typically no routine border checks for pets moving within the EU, but you must carry valid documentation.
• National extras: Be aware that specific countries like Ireland, Malta, Finland, and Norway require additional tapeworm treatments for visiting dogs.
• Non-EU export: If travelling from outside the EU, you must provide an EU export health certificate issued by an official veterinarian.
• Import permits: Ensure you have any necessary import permits and required health tests if arriving in France from a non-EU country.
• Carrier rules: Always check with your specific transport carrier regarding their own policies for pet travel in cabins or holds.
• Documentation: Keep all vaccination records and identification details accessible in case of any spot checks during your transit through Europe.
• Always confirm current rules with your vet and official authorities on both sides before you travel as regulations can change.