General

The dog or cat must be identified by means of a microchip and must have a European passport.

Vaccinations

The dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination must be given at least 21 days before departure, and must be repeated within the validity period. A vaccination after this period is considered a first vaccination and is only valid again after 21 days.

A puppy/kitten must be at least 12 weeks old when receiving its first rabies vaccination, which means they can only cross the border from the age of 15 weeks.

Parasites

If you travel to the south of France, you need to protect your pet against two dangerous parasites:

Sandflies can transmit Leishmaniasis, a serious disease that affects joints, kidneys and eyes and is difficult to treat.

Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be fatal if not detected in time.

Fortunately, both problems can be prevented with proper preventive treatment. Ask your veterinarian for advice on protective measures against these parasites.

Leash requirement

In France, dogs must always be leashed in urban areas and strict rules apply in nature areas. Between April 15 and June 30, dogs are only allowed in forests when leashed and exclusively on official paths to protect wildlife.

Exceptions for specific breeds

France enforces strict regulations for "dangerous" dogs, which are classified into two categories. You can find more information about these regulations here.

Category 1 ("Attack Dogs") includes non-pedigreed dogs of the American Staffordshire terrier type (pit-bulls), Mastiff type (boerbulls), and Tosa type. These dogs are not permitted in France.

Category 2 ("Guard and Defense Dogs") includes pedigreed dogs such as the American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, and Tosa. These breeds face strict regulations and must always be leashed and muzzled in public spaces. Owners must obtain a special ownership permit from their local municipality in France.

To obtain this permit, owners must complete a mandatory theoretical training course, have their dog undergo a behavioral assessment by a French veterinarian, and provide proof of liability insurance. It's worth noting that the municipality cannot refuse your permit application as long as you have completed all requirements and can provide the necessary documentation. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in substantial fines or confiscation of your dog.

Anaïs and Pepsi (@pepsi_amstaff) have personally navigated this process and are always happy to answer questions! Their golden tip: Make appointments for both the training course and behavioral assessment before traveling to France, and keep the confirmation documents with you. If stopped by police, these documents demonstrate your commitment to following the regulations and show that you're actively completing the necessary requirements.

Traveling with more than 5 animals

When traveling with more than five animals, they must undergo a clinical examination, and their passport must include an additional certificate issued by the official veterinarian of the country of departure. The animals will then be subject to commercial transportation regulations.

The non-commercial transportation rules still apply when transporting more than five animals for participation in competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, or training, as long as the animals are older than 6 months and the owner can provide written proof of participation.