Taking Pets to France
Moving to France is exciting. But when your dog or cat has to fly too, it can feel like the most emotional part of the whole move. You want absolute confidence that your pet will be prepared properly, handled gently, and cared for like family – not treated like “cargo”.
That’s exactly what we do.
PetAir UK is a vet-led pet travel company with 20+ years of experience and a proven record of over 33,000 pets flown safely worldwide. From vaccinations and health certification to flight routing and arrival coordination in France, our in-house veterinary team and travel specialists manage the details that protect your pet’s wellbeing.
What you need to know
Pet Travel to France – What You Need to Know
France is part of the European Union and follows EU pet import regulations. Since Brexit, pets travelling from the UK to France must meet specific third-country requirements.
Here’s what’s required for dog travel to France and cat travel to France from the UK:
1 – Microchipping
- Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip.
- The microchip must be implanted before rabies vaccination.
- The microchip number must appear on all official documentation.
2 – Rabies Vaccination
- Rabies vaccination is mandatory.
- Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old at vaccination.
- Travel can occur 21 days after the primary rabies vaccination.
- Boosters must be kept up to date.
3 – Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
An Animal Health Certificate must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) within 10 days of travel.
The AHC is valid for:
- Entry into the EU
- Onward travel within the EU for 4 months
- Re-entry to the UK (with valid rabies vaccination)
The certificate must be endorsed correctly in line with DEFRA requirements.
4 – Tapeworm Treatment (Dogs Only)
- Required for dogs entering France if travelling onward to certain countries (e.g., Ireland, Finland, Malta).
- Not required solely for entry into France itself.
- Must be administered 24–120 hours before arrival if applicable.
5 – Quarantine Rules
- No quarantine is required for pets travelling from the UK to France if all requirements are met.
- Non-compliance may result in quarantine, re-export, or refusal of entry.
Why PetAir?
Why Choose PetAir UK for Pet Flights to France
- 100% vet-led service with in-house vets and qualified veterinary nurses.
- 20+ years of experience and over 33,000 pets flown safely.
- Custom-built, IATA-approved pet travel cabins sized perfectly to your pet.
- Dedicated travel coordinators who manage every stage of the move.
- Transparent, all-inclusive quotes – no hidden costs.
- 1-to-1 veterinary support through our Vet-Led Travel Prep service.
- Flexible budgeting through Pet Travel Payment Plans.
- Extra reassurance with our Pet Travel Care Tags.
- Consistently high customer satisfaction, strong testimonials and global airline partnerships.
With PetAir UK, your pet’s safety and wellbeing always come first. To learn more about why you should choose PetAir, click here.
The PetAir Process
Step-by-Step – How PetAir UK Gets Your Pet to France Safely
- Get a Quote – Tell us where you’re going, when you hope to travel, and your pet’s details.
- Consultation with our veterinary team – We confirm timelines, health considerations, and the most suitable routing.
- Travel prep and documentation – Microchip and rabies checks, AHC planning, and any route-specific requirements.
- Pet crate customisation – Correct sizing and travel comfort guidance (including acclimatisation routines).
- Flight day and tracking – Coordinated check-in, handling, and proactive updates for reassurance.
- Arrival support and onward travel – Guidance on collection, onward travel arrangements, and settling in.
For further information on the pet travel process with PetAir, click here.