🇬🇧 → 🇫🇷

Moving a pet from United Kingdom to France

Here is the whole journey for your dog or cat, from the United Kingdom to France: every document, in the order to tackle it, with how early to begin. Plan to start about a month before travel.

From Great Britain to the EU on an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued within 10 days of travel and valid for one trip. The EU side is governed by Regulation 2026/131.

This is a rabies-controlled route. Some destinations add a blood titer and a waiting period, which is the single biggest driver of how early to start.

The EU side of this route is governed by Regulation 2026/131, in force since 22 April 2026. Read the 2026 EU rules explained

The documents, step by step

1. 1

   Microchip

   RequiredStart about a month before travel

   The microchip must come first. Every later record, including the rabies vaccination, is only valid once the chip is in place.

   ISO 11784/11785 microchip BEFORE the rabies vaccination.

2. 2

   Rabies vaccination

   RequiredStart about a month before travel

   After the rabies shot there is a 21-day wait before travel. We count those days for you so the date is right.

   At least 21 days must pass after vaccination before travel.

   A 21-day waiting period follows this step before travel is allowed. We count every day for you.

3. 3

   Health certificate

   RequiredStart about 10 days before travel

   The AHC replaces the old pet passport for GB. It is single-use, so we book the vet appointment against your travel date, not the other way round.

   Animal Health Certificate, issued within 10 days of travel; valid 10 days for EU entry and 4 months of onward EU travel.