Traveling with your dog to France involves several mandatory laws concerning identification, vaccination, and documentation to comply with European Union regulations. First and foremost, your dog must be at least 15 weeks old to travel. This is due to the vaccination requirements. Every dog must be identified by an electronic microchip that is ISO compliant. The microchip must be implanted before or at the time of the rabies vaccination for the vaccination to be considered valid. A valid rabies vaccination is mandatory. Your dog must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the primary rabies vaccination. After this initial vaccination, you must wait a full 21 days before your dog is eligible to travel to France. If a booster vaccination is given before the previous one expires, there is generally no waiting period. The required documentation depends on your country of origin. If you are traveling from an EU country, your dog will need a European pet passport issued by an authorized veterinarian, which documents the microchip and valid rabies vaccination. If you are traveling from a non-EU country (a “third country”), you will need an official Animal Health Certificate (AHC) endorsed by an official veterinarian from your country. This certificate is typically valid for entry into the EU for 10 days from the date of endorsement. For dogs traveling from certain non-EU countries, a rabies antibody titration blood test is also required to prove the vaccine’s effectiveness. This test must be performed at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and at least three months before entry into France. You are limited to traveling with a maximum of five dogs for non-commercial movement. If you are traveling with more than five, commercial rules apply, though there is an exemption for participation in competitions, shows, or sporting events, provided you have written evidence of registration and the dogs are over six months old. Upon arrival in France from a non-EU country, you must declare your dog at customs and present all required documentation. It is also a recommendation for all dogs to be registered with the French national pet identification system, I-CAD, within seven days of arrival. France enforces strict laws for dogs classified as “dangerous breeds.” Category 1 “attack dogs,” which include non-pedigreed dogs of the American Staffordshire terrier type (pit-bulls), Mastiff type (boerbulls), and Tosa type, are strictly prohibited and not allowed entry, even in transit. Category 2 “guard and defense dogs,” such as purebred American Staffordshire terriers, Rottweilers, and Tosas, are subject to strict regulations. Owners must obtain a special ownership permit, which requires a mandatory training course, a behavioral assessment by a French veterinarian, and proof of liability insurance. These dogs must always be leashed and muzzled in public. Local leash laws dictate that dogs must generally be kept on a leash in urban areas. In nature areas, especially from April 15 to June 30, leashing is strictly required and dogs may only be allowed on official paths to protect wildlife
