Pet Travel Documents for France
Microchips, rabies timing, the EU pet passport, and the one France-specific rule that can get a dog turned away at the border: dangerous dog categories.
- Microchip first, then the rabies vaccine — pet must be at least 12 weeks old, with a 21-day wait after a first dose.
- EU residents get a lifelong EU pet passport; non-EU travellers need a health certificate instead.
- Category 1 dogs cannot be imported at all; Category 2 dogs need a permit, muzzle and leash.
Guides in this topic
6 guides · updated October 2026
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Bringing a Pet into France: The Overview
Three things for EU travellers: microchip, rabies vaccination, and a valid EU pet passport. No tapeworm treatment required.
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Microchip & Rabies Vaccination Timing
Microchip first, rabies vaccine once the pet is 12 weeks old, then 21 days before travel if it's a first vaccination.
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EU Pet Passport & Non-EU Travellers
EU residents travel on a pet passport. Everyone else needs a health certificate confirming the same chip and vaccination requirements.
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Tapeworm Treatment: You Don't Need It for France
France isn't on the short list of countries that require a tapeworm treatment before entry — the parasite already occurs there.
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Category 1 & 2 Dogs: France's Dangerous Dog Law
Category 1 dogs are banned from import outright. Category 2 dogs can come, but only with a permit, a muzzle, a leash, and insurance in hand.
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What Happens If You Get It Wrong
A missing document or an undeclared category 1 dog doesn't just mean a delay — the realistic outcomes get serious, fast.