Moving to France as an expat pet pawrent

Your guide to make your pet’s relocation to France as safe and smooth as possible.

By Anne Deplante

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in front of the endless list of tasks you have to do before you can finally set up home. Here’s a guide for expat pet pawrents to make your pet’s relocation to France as safe and smooth as possible. We will focus on the most common case which is dogs, cats and ferrets.

First of all, it’s important you anticipate the process between 4 to 6 months before your planned relocation date. If you’re busy, Pet Cheri offers an accompaniment service from administrative paperwork to transport so you can save time and energy.

🇪🇺 Requirements to be allowed on the UE territory (if your pet doesn’t have a EU passport)

  1. Pets imported from non-EU countries must be declared and presented to Customs for document and identity checks.
  2. For a non-commercial import, you can bring up to 5 animals per person (adult).
  3. Each pet must be at least 4 months old and must own a health certificate.
  4. Category dogs : check country's conditions

🗓️ At least 3 months before travel day

Microchip your pet

Your pet must have a microchip implanted, for identification purposes. It should be an ISO-compliant microchip, and it should be readable by a scanner that complies with the ISO standard 11784 or 11785. This chip will allow your pet to be identified by the French and European veterinary authorities, so it is a prerequisite.

👉 Tattoos are accepted only if clearly legible and affixed before July 3, 2011.

🗓️ At least 21 days before travel day (and once the ISO-microchip implanted)

Have their rabies vaccination up to date

The rabies vaccination should be done at least 21 days (primary vaccination and booster) before your pet's arrival in France and must have a certificate showing it has been vaccinated against rabies. Make sure that your pet is up-to-date with all its other vaccinations as well.

Tip : you can ask your veterinarian to administer a 1-year rabies vaccination (after scanning the microchip) at least 21 days prior to your travel date, but not more than a year before. This approach ensures that you only need to keep track of one vaccination certificate, regardless of your pet's previous vaccination history. Additionally, following this method can expedite the review process at the USDA endorsement office, allowing for a faster return of your endorsed certificate.

🗓️ At least 30 days after vaccination and 3 months before the travel date

Have the rabies serology (except USA, Canada, Australia and the countries considered as “rabies-free”)

To ensure the effectiveness of an anti-rabies vaccination, it is recommended to request a laboratory test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in a blood sample. This test, known as a rabies antibody titration test, should be conducted at a laboratory authorized by the European Union. You will find a list of the countries exempt from the antibody titration test for importation into the European Union here.

The test result should show a minimum level of 0.5 UI/liter to ensure the vaccination is effective. If the vaccination is kept up-to-date with booster shots administered within the specified time frame, the validity of the test result will extend to the animal's lifetime.

🗓️ Within 10 days before travel date

Get a health certificate from an accredited veterinary

To travel with your pet within the EU, you must obtain a non-commercial EU health certificate that adheres to the European model established by an official veterinarian in the country of origin. This certificate must contain evidence of the pet's vaccination against rabies. Its validity will extend for four months in the EU territory from the issuance date or until the expiration of the rabies vaccination, whichever date comes first.

→ This certificate is only valid for 10 days, so your pet , therefore your pet must be transported within a period of five days before or after your own travel dates.

✈️ Your pet’s travel

First of all it is essential that you check carefully the rules of your airline regarding pet’s transport. In all cases, you will have 3 options:

  • on the plane with you as either in-cabin (for pets weighing less than 6-8kg dependending on the company’s rules)
  • on the same plane but on cargo
  • on a different flight, or with a licensed commercial pet transporter.

In any case, an authorized IATA pet crate will have to be used.

You should inform the airline if you plan to bring your pet along with you, as there may be a limit to the number of pets allowed per flight. Also, remember to contact your airline at least 72 hours prior to your flight to confirm the presence of your animal.

Avoid connecting flights, as they can be stressful for your pet and may complicate the process if you have a layover in a country where rabies is prevalent. If there are no direct flights available from your location, you may want to consider using pet relocation services.

We do not recommend sedatives or tranquilizers, they are unsafe for pets who are traveling by plane. The use of tranquilizers can have negative effects on your pet's health, such as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, disorientation, and balance problems. These effects can increase the risk of injury and negative health reactions.

🇪🇺 If you plan on traveling inside the EU, you can ask for the  EU pet passport EU Pet Passport, which contains official health information for dogs, cats, and ferrets only. This document cannot be acquired outside the EU and serves to simplify travel between EU member states. It will also be more simple to return to France or any EU country once you go back to your country.

As you have seen, bringing your pet to France requires a lot of organization and anticipation. That's why we highly recommend Pet Cheri’s pet relocation services which allows expatriates' pets to travel with peace of mind and comfort. Don’t hesitate to contact us!

Get tips for your beloved pet.

Exclusive tips from experts to pamper your furry friend