So you’re moving to France but, you want to bring your pet with you? Moving your four legged friends with you to France is fairly easy as long as you respect the following steps. From a dog, to a cat or even a horse, making sure your pet is ready to travel is essential for a seamless move to France.

Table of Contents

Basic Entry Requirements for the EU (Without an EU Pet Passport)

Before diving into the details of the necessary documents and ways to bring your pets to France, let’s take a look at the essentials:

  1. Customs declaration: Upon arrival, pets from non-EU countries must be declared and presented to Customs for document and identity verification.
  2. Number of pets: Non-commercial travelers may bring up to five pets per adult.
  3. Minimum age: Pets must be at least 4 months old and possess a valid health certificate.
  4. Breed regulations: Make sure that your dog’s breed is allowed to enter France. Learn more here.

Microchips

First, it is crucial that your pet has a microchip. Microchips are used in France as the only acceptable form of pet identification. Also, the microchip must meet the ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785. More information on the microchip standards can be found on the official EU site, linked here.

Note: Tattoos are acceptable identification if applied before July 3rd, 2011, and remain legible

Vet check up before moving to France

Rabies Certificate

Once your pet has obtained a microchip, the next step would be to ensure that it receives a rabies vaccine. In order to bring your pet to France, your pet must have an official Rabies Certificate signed by the vet. Additionally, the vaccine must be administered at least 21 days prior to your pet’s arrival in France. For more information concerning the rabies vaccine requirement, click here.

EU Vet Health Certificate

The last document you’ll need from a vet before bringing your pet to France will be an EU Vet Health Certificate. This certificate states that the animal has been inspected for diseases and the overall health by an authorized veterinarian. It’s important to remember that the health certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue. It also should be filled out in non-black ink (usually blue is best!).

Interested in getting your own free official EU Vet Health Certificate and Pet Travel Checklist? Sign up to our newsletter below to get yours delivered straight to your inbox today!

Pet-Friendly Airlines

If you’re bringing your pet to France via plane, you have some options to explore. Different airlines will have different requirements and options for pet transport, so be sure to do some research before booking your tickets. If you have a snub nosed animal (such as Pug, Bulldog, Boxer, Pekingese, or Shih Tzu dogs, as well as Persian or Burmese cats), remember that they are not permitted to travel in the holds of airplanes for health reasons. No matter how you decide to move your pet, it’s a good idea to call your pet’s airline 4-5 days before their departure. This will help you make sure you have met all the requirements and are good to go! Now, let’s look into some of those options.

How to bring your cat to France

Air France

If you are bringing your pet to France with Air France, you’ll need to have a few things in order before boarding. If your pet is a cat or dog that weighs <8 kg (17.64 lbs) including their carrier, is older that 15 months, and has all of their required documentation, they qualify to fly in the cabin with you! For your pet to fly with you in the cabin, you will need to get approval from Air France. You can do this by contacting their customer support at +33 9 69 39 36 54.

If your pet weighs ≤75 kg (165.35 lbs) including their carrier, they can travel in the hold of the plane. If you are planning on traveling with an animal in the hold of the plane, you should let Air France know as soon as possible.

Should you decide to bring your pet on an Air France flight, you’ll need to have this liability waiver filled out and ready at your check in. This form also has important information regarding requirements for your pet’s carrier.

Bringing your pet with you in the cabin will likely cost you €400, and bringing them in the hold will cost €200. For more information on Air France’s pet policies and pricing, check out their website here.

British Airways

If you are bringing your pets to France with British Airways, you likely will be sending them separately via a partner of British Airways. The only exception to this would be for service dogs (not emotional support). You can learn more about bringing your service dog to France with British Airways here.

British Airways has partnered with PetAir UK to manage all pet flights. You can read more about PetAir UK and bringing your pet to France with them on their website, here. They do not provide flat rates for their services on their website. However, so you can to fill out this form to get a quote from them.

KLM

Should you bring your pet to France with KLM airlines, you may be able to bring them in the cabin with you. If your dog or cat, in combination with their carrier, weighs less than 8 kg (17.64 lbs), and their carrier falls within these dimensions: 46 x 28 x 24 cm, you can to bring your pet with you in Economy Class and store them under the seat in front of you.

If your pet cannot accompany you in the cabin, they may be able to ride in the hold of the plane. To ride in the hold, your pet must weigh under 75 kg (165.35 lbs) and it’s carrier must fall within the following dimensions: 122 x 81 x 89 cm.

Bringing your pet to France with KLM will cost you between €75-€400 depending on where your trip starts. However, KLM will not transport your animals if you have a transfer time (layover) of more than 3 hours. For more information on KLM’s policies and regulations, check out their website here.

Delta

How to ship a horse to France

If you are bringing your pet to France with Delta airlines, you have the option to either bring them as a carry on, or to ship them to France with Delta Cargo.

If you are planning on bringing your pet with you to France as a carry on, you’ll need to contact Delta as soon as possible to let them know. Your pet’s carrier will need to be able to fit under the seat in front of you. This means it should fall within these dimensions: 18” x 11” x 11” and ideally be soft. Bringing your pet as a carry on will cost you around $200 (€183.65). For more information on bringing your pet as a carry on with Delta, click here.

If you are planning on bringing your pet to France with Delta Cargo, you’ll need to make a separate booking for your pet. You can do this by contacting Delta Cargo’s support line at +1-800-352-2746. Pets must be transported in travel crates/containers that comply with Container Requirement #1 in the current version of the International Air Transport Association Live Animals Regulations (IATA-LAR). The travel crate/container must allow the pet to stand, sit-upright, lie down and turn around, without touching the top or sides. For more information on shipping your pet to France with Delta Cargo, click here.

Air Canada

If you are bringing your pet to France with Air Canada, you can either bring them in the cabin with you, bring them in the hold of the plane, or ship them separately.

If you are bringing a dog or cat to France and they are small enough to stand, turn around, and lay down in their carrier, they can be brought on your flight as a carry on item. The carrier must be within 23 x 40 x 53 cm if it’s hard, or within 27 x 40 x 55 cm if it’s soft. You should let Air Canada know that you are bringing your pet as a carry on as soon as possible. This service will cost around $100 (91.83 €).

If you are planning on bringing your pets with you in the hold of the plane, their carrier must be <292 cm (115 in) in linear dimensions and the weight of your pet combined with their carrier must be <45 kg (100 lbs). This service will cost you around $270 (247.93 €).

If you will be shipping your pet to France via Air Canada, you’ll need to book your pet’s flight on Air Canada Cargo’s website. Carrier requirements and restrictions will depend on the size and species of your pet. You can learn more about those requirements here. Pricing will also vary depending on the size of your pet and the origin of your trip.

Private Jet

How to bring pets to France with private jet

For those looking to have their pets out of their carriers on their flight, you may want to look into booking a flight on a private plane for you and your pet.

If you are bringing a cat or dog to Paris from New Jersey or Los Angeles, K9 Jets may be the option for you! With K9 Jets, when you purchase one ticket for yourself you are also able to bring up to 2 pets that weigh under 50 lbs each, or one pet that weighs over 51lbs. You can also purchase a seat for your four legged friend if you would like! If you’re flying from New Jersey, one ticket (includes 2 pets) will cost around $10,000. If your origin is Los Angeles, one ticket will cost closer to $17,000. Prices vary per flight, and can be verified on their website. To learn more about flying your pets to Paris with K9 Jets, click here.

5 Day Rule

If your pet(s) won’t be arriving with you on your flight, they must fly into Paris within 5 days of your arrival. If you are unable to make this rule, there are ways around it. But, they require a lot more paperwork and often increased expenses.

Banned Dog Breeds in France

France has banned 4 breeds of dogs currently. If your pet belongs to one of these breeds or is mixed with them, you will be allowed to bring them into France.

  • Category 1 Dogs (e.g., non-pedigree Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff, Pitbull, Tosa): Sadly, these breeds are prohibited in France.
  • Category 2 Dogs (e.g., pedigree Staffordshire Terrier, Tosa): These require extra steps, including:
    • Registration with the French Kennel Club (SCC).
    • Behavioral evaluations by authorized veterinarians.
    • Owner’s certification of aptitude.
    • Liability insurance for potential damages caused by the dog.
    • If your dog’s breed is mixed with a Category 1 type, a vet’s statement (translated into French) is mandatory.

For more information on banned dog breeds in France, check out the government’s website on the topic here.

After Your Arrival

Once you and your pet have arrived in France, you will need to take a visit to a French vet. In this appointment, the vet will need to fill out a “certificat provisoire d’identification lors d’importation ou échange intracommunautaire“. They will then upload this and your EU Vet Health Certificate to register your pet in the Fichier National d’Identification. Depending on where you are from, you may need to pay a fee of €11 for this registration.

Pet Passports

After you and your pet have arrived in France, you may want to get your pet an EU passport. You will only need this if your pet is traveling between EU countries. To receive a pet passport, you’ll need to make an appointment with your vet in the EU, and bring a few documents with you. You can find the full list of these required documents on our Pet Travel Checklist. To receive your free Pet Travel Checklist and official EU Vet Health Certificate, subscribe to our newsletter!

Still Have Questions?

Feeling overwhelmed? Pet Cheri, a trusted pet concierge service, is your saving grace. From documentation to transport logistics, their expert team ensures your furry companion’s move is as seamless as possible. Pet Cheri offers an extensive range of services to make your relocation effortless. Their professional team specializes in:
 Administrative assistance: Navigating the complex paperwork, such as health certificates, vaccination records, and customs requirements.

  • Pet travel coordination: Organizing transport, including flights and approved crates, while ensuring your pet’s comfort and safety.
  • Behavioral preparation: Providing training to acclimate your pet to travel crates and reduce anxiety during the journey.
  • Post-arrival support: Helping with microchip registration, finding local veterinarians, and obtaining EU pet passports.

If you have questions about bringing yourself, your family, or your business to France, we recommend reaching out to us! You can do so by sending us an email at contact@yourfriendinparis.com or by scheduling your free 30-minute quote consultation when you click the button below!

You can also find more tips about moving to France in our other articles!

How to Move to Paris as a Family

How to Move to Paris: Exploring Your Options

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