Planning to move to France with your pets? Here's a complete, informal guide to bringing dogs, cats, and small animals from the UK to France — from paperwork to paw prints.
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Moving to France with Pets: What You Need for Dogs, Cats & Rodents
So, you're packing up your life and moving to France — baguettes, wine, and a new adventure await. But if you're anything like me, your most precious cargo has paws… or whiskers… or maybe even a twitchy little nose.
Whether you're bringing a dog, a cat, or a couple of suspicious-looking hamsters, here's what you actually need to know — plus a checklist that covers the real (and bureaucratic) essentials.
Requirements for Dogs and Cats Traveling from the UK to France
1. Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped — and it needs to be readable by an ISO-compliant scanner (usually the case if done in the UK after 2011).
2. Rabies Vaccination
The rabies jab must be administered after the microchip and at least 21 days before travel.
3. Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
- Must be issued within 10 days of travel
- Only issued by an official vet
- Valid for one EU entry and 4 months of travel inside the EU
- Replaces the old UK Pet Passport
4. Tapeworm Treatment (for dogs returning to UK)
Not needed to enter France, but required 1–5 days before re-entry to the UK.
5. Travel Crate or Harness
Make sure your pet is safely secured during the journey by car, train, or air.
Requirements for Rodents and Small Pets
Rodents and other small animals (rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs) don’t have quite as much red tape, but a vet health check is still a good idea.
- No microchip or vaccine needed
- Health certificate recommended
- Declare if travelling with more than 5 animals
- Secure, well-ventilated carrier required
Tips for Travelling with Pets to France
- Bring printed copies of all documentation
- Plan pet-friendly rest stops
- Carry travel bowls, poop bags, food, and bottled water
- Use a towel or cover over small pet carriers for calm
Pet Relocation Checklist for France
✅ Dogs & Cats:
- ISO-compliant microchip
- Rabies vaccination (21+ days in advance)
- AHC (issued within 10 days of travel)
- Tapeworm treatment (returning to UK)
- Secure crate or seatbelt harness
- Printed vet records
- Travel kit: leash, bowls, food, comfort item
✅ Rodents & Small Pets:
- Vet health check
- Sturdy, ventilated carrier
- Food and water for the trip
- Declaration for more than 5 animals
Final Thoughts on Moving to France with Pets
Relocating with pets to France is absolutely doable — it just takes some planning, paperwork, and maybe a deep breath at the vet’s office. Once you’re in France, you and your furry (or fuzzy) companions will be living the good life — long walks, river swims, and probably cheese.
If you’ve done the journey or have questions, come hang out on @pawsincher on Instagram or Pinterest. Loona and I love hearing your stories (unless you’re a dog off-lead — then Loona kindly declines ).
I have made a pretty little checklist for you to use just click the button below to download yours free!
Download Checklist