Pet Relocation to France: The Complete Guide for Dogs & Cats

Can I move my dog or cat from the United States to France?

Yes. Pet relocation to France is one of the more straightforward international moves, because France is part of the European Union and the United States is a listed (low-rabies-risk) country. Your dog or cat needs an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination given after the microchip with a 21-day wait before entry, and an EU health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS. There is no quarantine, no rabies titer test for pets from the U.S., and no tapeworm treatment required for France. One important exception: France bans the import of certain “Category 1” dogs outright — see the breed rules below before you plan anything.

Why Families Choose Animal Land for France Pet Relocation

The EU requirements for France are well-established, but they still have to be exact. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, the 21-day waiting period is fixed, and the EU health certificate must be issued and APHIS-endorsed inside a strict window before departure. On top of that, France applies breed rules that can make certain dogs impossible to import — a detail that catches families by surprise.

Animal Land Pet Movers has been relocating dogs and cats internationally since 1998 and handles moves to France and across the EU regularly. Our team manages the whole process — microchip and vaccination verification, the EU health certificate, USDA APHIS endorsement, breed eligibility checks, and flight or cargo booking into Paris and other French cities — so your pet’s move stays on schedule.

Pet Relocation to France: Step by Step Requirements

The authoritative US-side overview is the USDA APHIS Pet Travel to France page, the EU rules are summarized on the European Commission’s movement of pets page, and France’s own guidance is published by French Customs (Douane). The core steps are below.

Step 1: Microchip

Your dog or cat must be identified with an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785) — EU scanners do not read non-ISO chips. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination; if the vaccine predates the chip, the EU considers it invalid and the clock starts over.

Step 2: Rabies Vaccination

After the microchip is in place, your pet must receive a rabies vaccination and then wait at least 21 days before entering France. Rabies is the only vaccination strictly required for entry. The microchip number should appear on the rabies vaccination record. Because the United States is a listed third country, a rabies antibody titer test is not required for pets traveling directly from the U.S. to France.

Step 3: EU Health Certificate

A USDA-accredited veterinarian completes the EU health certificate for France, which must then be endorsed by USDA APHIS through VEHCS. On the non-commercial path, your pet must arrive in the EU within 10 days of the APHIS endorsement; the commercial path requires endorsement within 48 hours of departure. A printed, endorsed original travels with your pet.

Step 4: No Tapeworm Treatment or Quarantine for France

France does not require tapeworm treatment (that requirement applies only to Finland, Malta, Ireland, and Norway) and does not impose quarantine on pets meeting the requirements. Pets that arrive with correct paperwork clear and go home with you.

France’s Category 1 and Category 2 Dog Rules

This is the France-specific rule that matters most, and it is stricter than most families expect.

Category 1 dogs cannot be imported into France at all. Category 1 covers Staffordshire Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers (“pit bull” types), Mastiffs (Boerboel), and Tosas that do not have a pedigree recognized by the French Ministry of Agriculture. Importing, buying, or selling these dogs in France is illegal — an animal brought in can be seized and euthanized, and fines can reach €15,000. If your dog may fall into this category, do not book anything before confirming eligibility.

Category 2 dogs may enter, but with conditions. The same breeds with a recognized (LOF) pedigree, along with Rottweilers, are treated as Category 2. They can be imported, but you will need pedigree documentation to prove the classification, and once in France you must follow rules such as muzzling and leashing in public and obtaining an ownership permit.

Because classification hinges on pedigree paperwork rather than appearance alone, Animal Land confirms your dog’s status before any booking or testing begins.

The Five-Pet Non-Commercial Rule

The EU distinguishes between non-commercial and commercial movement. If you are traveling with five or fewer pets, they accompany you (or a designated person) within five days of your own travel, and the move is not a sale or change of ownership, it qualifies as non-commercial — the simpler path, with the health certificate valid for arrival within 10 days of endorsement.

More than five pets, pets traveling well apart from you, or a change of ownership makes the move commercial, which requires the commercial certificate (endorsed within 48 hours of departure) and additional steps. We confirm which path applies before booking, because it changes the certificate and the timeline.

Approved Routes and Carriers

France is well served by direct, pet-friendly routes from the United States, and depending on the airline and your pet’s size, pets may travel in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as manifest cargo. Paris–Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the main gateway, with Nice, Lyon, and Marseille also serving arriving families.

Animal Land verifies the carrier and routing before booking, confirms live-animal acceptance on every leg, and accounts for seasonal heat embargoes and crate limits. Pets traveling as baggage or cargo need an IATA-compliant travel crate — use our guide on How to Measure Your Dog for a Flight Kennel to size it correctly.

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Pet to France?

The total cost of pet relocation to France depends on your pet’s size, your departure city, whether your pet flies in the cabin, as baggage, or as cargo, and the services you need. Typical cost components include:

• Veterinary visits, microchip, and rabies vaccination
• USDA APHIS endorsement fees
• EU health certificate preparation
• IATA-approved crate purchase (if needed)
• Airfare or air cargo charges to France
• Airport handling and arrival processing fees
• Professional pet relocation coordination

Because routing, airline pet fees, and cargo rates vary, Animal Land provides personalized quotes rather than published price ranges. For a fuller breakdown of what drives international pet-moving costs — including a typical range for Europe — see our International Pet Relocation Cost guide. To get an estimate for your specific move, request a free quote.

Pet Relocation to France: Moving to Paris

Paris is the most common destination for families relocating pets to France, with most arrivals at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Pets entering from the U.S. must arrive through a designated Travelers’ Point of Entry, where documents may be checked. With a valid microchip, current rabies vaccination, and an APHIS-endorsed EU health certificate, pets clear without quarantine.

France is famously pet-friendly — dogs are welcome at many cafés, shops, and on public transport — which makes settling in easier than in most countries. Animal Land can help connect you with trusted local veterinarians and pet services as part of your relocation.

How Long Does It Take to Move a Pet to France?

The timeline is driven mainly by the rabies vaccination, which requires a 21-day wait before entry if your pet is not already covered. For pets already current on a valid rabies vaccination, the practical window is shorter — typically the time needed to arrange the EU health certificate, APHIS endorsement, and flights. For most families, pet relocation to France takes between 3 and 6 weeks from the time preparation begins to arrival day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my cat travel to France without quarantine?

Yes. Cats that meet the microchip, rabies vaccination (with the 21-day wait), and EU health certificate requirements enter France without quarantine. Cats do not require tapeworm treatment for France.

Are any dog breeds banned in France?

Yes. France prohibits the import of Category 1 dogs — Staffordshire Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Mastiffs (Boerboel), and Tosas without a French-recognized pedigree. Attempting to bring one in can result in seizure, euthanasia, and fines up to €15,000. Category 2 dogs (the same breeds with LOF pedigree, plus Rottweilers) may enter with pedigree documentation and are subject to muzzle, leash, and permit rules.

Does France require a rabies titer test?

No. Because the United States is a listed third country, pets traveling directly from the U.S. to France do not need a rabies antibody titer test. A current rabies vaccination given after microchipping, with a 21-day wait, is required.

Can my pet fly in the cabin to France?

Often, yes — for small dogs and cats, several airlines serving France allow in-cabin travel, while larger pets travel as checked baggage or manifest cargo. The option depends on the airline, aircraft, and your pet’s size and crate dimensions. For cats and smaller dogs, in-cabin travel is usually the least stressful option.

How many pets can I bring to France?

Up to five pets may travel under the simpler non-commercial rules, provided they accompany you within five days of your travel and the move is not a change of ownership. More than five, or pets traveling well apart from you, fall under commercial rules.

What are the most common mistakes when moving a pet to France?

The most common mistakes are microchipping after the rabies vaccination instead of before, traveling before the 21-day waiting period is complete, missing the health certificate endorsement window, and failing to check breed classification before booking. Animal Land sequences each step to avoid these.

Get a Quote for Pet Relocation to France

Animal Land has offices in Atlanta, London, and across the globe. Contact our team for a free quote and a step-by-step plan for your move to France.

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