Importing pets and live animals in France

The animal health rules for taking animals between one EU countryand another vary depending on the species of animal. In addition, to protect endangered wildlife, a special licence is needed for some species, including snakes, lizards and tortoises. You should ask your veterinary surgeon what restrictions and certification requirements apply to your animal. He or she will be able to obtain the information from the Ministére de l’Agriculture, de l'Alimentation, de la Pêche et des Affaires Rurales.

Alternatively, you can contact the British Embassy on +33 (0)1.44.51.32.81 or by email: Paris Public Enquiries

Dogs, cats and ferrets meeting the necessary requirements are able to move between EU member states if they are accompanied by an EU petpassport.

What is the EU pet passport?

The passport contains details of the pet owner and the animal, including its microchip number, rabies vaccination and blood test details. There are also sections to record the tick and tape worm treatment required for entry to the UK.

This passport replaces the previous UK PETS certificates and is accepted for entry to the UK from other member states and from other qualifying countries. It also replaces other documents currently required to enter EU countries, including France.

Travelling back to the UK with your pet

If you reside in France and are taking your pet back to the UK, you should be aware that dogs, cats and ferrets are required to enter the UK on approved routes. It is not possible to import pets into the UK in a private boat or plane.

Rodent and domestic rabbits no longer have to undergo 6 months quarantine on arrival in the UK if coming from EU member states from other qualifying countries.

For full details of the new requirements please see attached document: Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

Renewing the Pet Travel Scheme certificate in France

If your pet was vaccinated outside France with a vaccine valid for more than a year, and the next booster/renewal of certificate is due while you are in France, you will not be able to obtain a renewal certificate. You must either do the booster and certificate renewal outside of France (before bringing the animal to France) or, if you have them done in France, do them less than 12 months after the previous vaccination. This is because the French authorities do not recognise rabies vaccinations carried out in France more than 12 months after the previous vaccination.

Dangerous dogs

You are not allowed to import any of the following category 1 dogs into France:

• Mastiff (these types of dogs can be called "boerbulls");
• Staffordshire terrier without a pedigree;
• American Staffordshire terrier without a pedigree (these types of dogs can be called " Pitbulls");
• Tosa without a pedigree.

More detail about which dangerous dogs may be brought into France may be found on the French Embassy in London website.