Traveling abroad with your pet

What are the rules when traveling with a dog, a cat or a ferret?

You can travel with your dog, cat or ferret if it meets the following conditions:

• Your pet is at least 15 weeks of age
• Your pet is identified by electronic chip (or by tattoo if it was made before 3 July 2011 and remains legible)
• You have sound European identification passport drawn up by a veterinarian
• Your pet is vaccinated against rabies. The rabies vaccine is available only from 12 weeks (3 months) and takes effect at least 21 days (3 weeks) later. It must be subject to an annual reminder. Vaccination must be carried out after identification to be considered valid.

The maximum number of animals that can accompany you is 5.

When your pets travel to participate in competitions, exhibitions or sporting events, you can travel with more than 5 animals. In this case, ask your doctor or pharmacist first. DDPP: titleContent. You can enter the DDPP using an online form or by phone, email or by going on site.

Online

Enter online the Departmental Direction of Protection of Populations

By phone, email or on-site

Some states or territories may allow entry to:

• Animals less than 12 weeks (3 months) of age which have not yet been vaccinated against rabies
• Or animals aged between 12 and 16 weeks, vaccinated against rabies for less than 21 days (3 weeks), i.e. animals for which the rabies vaccine is not yet valid

This authorization may be granted only if one of these two conditions is met:

• You can justify by a signed declaration that your animal has not been in contact with wild animals of rabies-susceptible species from birth until movement
• Or your pet is accompanied by its mother, on whom it still depends, and the mother's passport establishes that she was vaccinated against rabies before the birth of her baby

If you find yourself in this situation, ask your DDPP: titleContent whether entry into the country or territory concerned is possible.

Online

Enter online the Departmental Direction of Protection of Populations

By phone, email or on-site

Also ask in advance about the conditions of carriage of animals by the airline or railway company with which you plan to travel.

On your return to France, you do not have any special formalities to complete.

What are the rules when traveling with another pet?

If you plan to travel with a pet other than a dog, cat or ferret, find out in advance about the rules governing entry into the country or territory of destination with your DDPP: titleContent. You can enter the DDPP using an online form or by phone, email or by going on site.

Online

Enter online the Departmental Direction of Protection of Populations

By phone, email or on-site

Also ask about the conditions for return to France.

Also ask in advance about the conditions of carriage of animals by the airline or railway company with which you plan to travel.