France

Bringing your pet dog or cat to France.

Europe · Last verified: 24 August 2026

Official Guidance

Entry Requirements

  • Dogs and cats

    The EU pet travel rules apply to the non-commercial movement of dogs and cats. Other species are covered by different import rules.

  • Travelling with the owner

    The movement must be non-commercial. The pet must travel with its owner, or with an authorised person within five days of the owner's travel.

  • Maximum of five pets

    A maximum of five pets may travel per person. More than five animals is treated as a commercial movement and follows a different, stricter set of rules, unless travelling to a registered competition, exhibition or sporting event.

  • Restricted dogs

    Category 1 attack dogs cannot be imported or brought into France. Category 2 guard and defence dogs may enter France subject to additional requirements.Learn more

Official Sources

European Commission — Dogs and catsEU rules for non-commercial pet movementFrench Ministry of Agriculture — FAQ: importing petsOfficial French guidance for pets from third countriesFrench Customs — Travelling with a dog or catCustoms formalities for entering France with a petService-Public — Category 1 and Category 2 dogsRestricted dog categories and entry rules for France

Last verified: 24 August 2026. Entry rules can change — confirm with the official authorities before you travel.

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