Official Import Rules
Standard EU entry: microchip, rabies vaccination 21+ days before entry, pet passport or EU health certificate. France categorises certain dogs as attack (Category 1) or guard/defence (Category 2) with major consequences for import and daily life.
Free route planner
Turn these rules into your dog's step-by-step planCabin/cargo call, breed check, crate size and paperwork timing.Medical Roadmap
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip fitted before the rabies vaccination. The microchip number must match every certificate.
Rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination must be valid before travel. Most routes require at least 21 days after a primary vaccination.
Health certificate or pet passport
Use an EU pet passport where accepted, or a government-endorsed animal health certificate for this route.
Travel day
Carry originals, confirm airline pet acceptance, and keep the official authority page saved offline.
Breed & Public-Space Rules
Breed restrictions
Category 1 dogs (pit bull-type, boerbull-type and Tosa-type without recognised pedigree) cannot be imported into France at all. Category 2 dogs (pedigree American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, pedigree Tosas) may enter but owners must hold a permit, complete training, carry insurance, and muzzle and leash the dog in public.
Muzzle & leash laws
Category 2 dogs must be muzzled and leashed in all public spaces including trains. SNCF requires muzzles for all dogs over 6 kg on trains regardless of breed.
Flying In: Cabin, Hold or Cargo
Air France allows dogs up to 8 kg including bag in the cabin on most flights; 8–75 kg in the hold with crate. Brachycephalic breeds are banned from the hold on Air France.
Cost Breakdown
Quarantine Information
None for compliant dogs.
City & Housing Notes
Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nice, and Toulouse are dog-friendly cities. France is famously dog-loving — dogs appear in café culture, literature, and daily life. Finding pet-friendly rentals is generally easy, especially outside Paris. Use Le Bon Coin and Se Loger for apartment searches. French law protects tenants' right to have pets — landlords cannot include a blanket pet ban in rental agreements (Loi du 9 juillet 1970).
Vets & Health After Arrival
France has excellent veterinary care. All vets must be registered with the Ordre National des Vétérinaires. Emergency vet services (urgences vétérinaires) operate 24/7 in major cities. Common parasites: fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms. Southern France has risks from sandflies (leishmaniasis in dogs, less common in dogs). Regular parasite prevention is recommended.
Leaving France With Your Dog
EU pet passport for onward travel; tapeworm treatment before UK entry.
Videos & Route Walkthroughs
Use videos as lived-experience context, not as legal authority. Search for recent dog-owner route reports, airport collection walkthroughs, crate-loading examples and relocation-agent explainers, then verify every rule against the official source above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my rescue pitbull-mix allowed into France?
Almost certainly not. Dogs matching pit bull morphology without a recognised pedigree are Category 1, and their import into France is prohibited outright — this catches many US rescue dogs. A pedigree American Staffordshire Terrier is Category 2 and can enter with a permit, training certificate and insurance.
Does my dog need a muzzle on French trains?
Yes if it weighs over 6 kg — SNCF requires a muzzle and lead, plus a reduced-fare ticket. Under 6 kg your dog travels in a carrier.
Community Tips & Nearby Routes
Community reports are useful for practical details such as which cargo desk answers the phone, how long collection took, or whether a landlord asked for insurance. Treat them as tips, then verify rules with the authority and airline.