Moving to France with a dog or cat takes more than just booking a flight—you’ll need to plan every detail so your pet arrives safely and comfortably. From understanding EU entry requirements to securing the right vaccinations and paperwork, it can feel overwhelming. That’s where our team comes in. We guide you through each step, from health certificates and microchipping to arranging pet-friendly transport. Whether you’re relocating for work, family, or adventure, we ensure your furry friend’s move is as smooth and stress-free as yours.
After you approve our proposal, we’ll coordinate with your veterinarian to gather vaccination records and health information. Our team carefully checks each document against France’s entry requirements and flags anything that may need updating before the next step.
France has specific rules for pets entering the country, so we’ll ensure every detail is correct. From confirming microchips to scheduling EU health certificate appointments, we handle the preparation to keep your paperwork accurate, compliant, and ready for travel.
With all documents in order, we’ll secure the most pet-friendly flight plan into France. We work closely with trusted airlines and their cargo teams to ensure your pet’s route is the safest, most comfortable, and least stressful journey possible.
Before your pet’s flight takes off, you’ll receive a clear itinerary with flight details, check-in instructions, and pick-up or drop-off times. You’ll always know exactly what to expect, giving you peace of mind throughout your pet’s travel journey.
Wherever you’re located in France, we offer flexible pick-up options—whether from your home, your veterinarian’s office, or directly at the airport. Our trained handlers provide gentle care during transport and check-in to help your pet stay calm and comfortable.
At Pets in Transit, we keep you informed about what is happening with your pet from start to finish. From check-in through flight tracking and arrival in France, you’ll receive timely updates so you always know where your pet is and how they’re doing.
Once your pet lands safely in France, we manage customs clearance and any required quarantine steps. From there, we arrange safe delivery directly to your new home to ensure your pet’s relocation is smooth and stress-free.
Relocating your pet to France involves careful planning and adherence to strict European Union (EU) rules. France follows the same EU regulations for dogs, cats, and ferrets, so every step—microchipping, vaccinations, and paperwork—must be accurate and completed on time. At Pets in Transit, we guide you through the entire process to make sure your pet arrives healthy and ready for their new life abroad.
Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785–compliant chip before receiving any rabies vaccination. The microchip must be scanned at each vaccination appointment to confirm its validity. If your pet’s existing chip is not ISO-compliant, you can either have a second ISO-compliant chip implanted or travel with a personal scanner that can read the current chip. We’ll help confirm compliance and coordinate any needed microchipping to avoid delays.
Note: ISO-compliant microchip numbers are usually 15 digits long. Pets in Transit will check ISO-compliance with the microchip manufacturer.
France requires a valid rabies vaccination administered after the microchip is implanted. Pets must wait at least 21 days—or the time recommended by the vaccine manufacturer—before entering France.
Here are the rules for rabies vaccinations in France, according to the USDA website.
The first rabies shot after microchipping—or after any lapse in coverage—is considered “primary” under EU rules.
For U.S.-vaccinated pets, a primary vaccine is valid for only 1 year, even if it is a 3-year vaccine.
A booster must be administered within 12 months to maintain coverage. Any lapse, even by a single day, restarts the process and the next dose will again be treated as a primary vaccination.
If a booster is given within 1 year of the primary vaccine, it can be valid for 1–3 years depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Pets may travel to France less than 21 days after a booster as long as the previous vaccine remains valid and all records are provided.
Pets traveling from the U.S. to France need an EU veterinary health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. This certificate must be:
Completed within 10 days of travel for “non-commercial” moves (5 or fewer pets traveling with you or within 5 days of your travel).
Endorsed by the USDA with an original ink signature and embossed stamp. Veterinarians may sign electronically, but the USDA endorsement itself must be in ink.
Accompanied by an owner declaration form confirming the non-commercial nature of the move.
Our team schedules vet visits, manages submission through the USDA’s VEHCS system, and ensures that all paperwork is correctly endorsed and returned on time.
When all requirements are met, pets typically do not face quarantine in France. However, incomplete paperwork or visible signs of illness can trigger additional inspections or quarantine at the owner’s expense. We help you avoid delays by making sure every document is accurate and every health standard is met.
Pets must travel in an IATA-compliant crate that meets strict airline standards for size, ventilation, and durability. We can recommend the right crate—or build a custom option for large dogs—to keep your pet safe and comfortable during the flight. We also work with airlines experienced in international pet transport to France to help minimize travel stress for your pet.
France enforces strict rules for certain dog breeds. Category 1 breeds—such as unpedigreed American Staffordshire Terriers (pit bulls), Tosa, and Mastiffs—are banned and cannot be imported. Category 2 breeds— including pedigreed American Staffordshire Terriers, Tosa, Rottweilers, and Mastiffs—are allowed but require a special license, liability insurance, owner training, and adherence to public-access regulations like leashing and muzzling. We review these regulations along with airline policies and seasonal travel risks to create a safe, fully compliant travel plan for your pet.
Let us handle all of the details and effortlessly manage your pet’s relocation from start to finish!
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