Traveling abroad with your pet - EU

You can travel with your dog within the European Union it fulfills the following conditions:

• Your dog is identified by electronic chip (identification by tattoo remains allowed if the tattoo was made before 3 July 2011 and remains legible)
• You have his European identification passport issued by a veterinarian
• Your dog 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 dogs that can accompany you is 5.

However, this number may be greater than 5 if the following 3 conditions are met:

• Animals shall be transported for the purpose of participating in a contest, exhibition, sporting event or training for one of these events
• You have written proof that the animals are registered either to participate in the event or with an association that organizes such events
• The animals are more than 6 months old.

If you have to travel with more than 5 animals, ask your DDPP: titleContent.

Entering the DDPP Online

Enter online the Departmental Direction of Protection of Populations

Contact the DPD by phone, email or on-site

Some States may allow dogs less than 12 weeks (3 months) of age who have not yet been vaccinated against rabies to enter their territory.

Some States may allow the entry into their territory of dogs aged between 12 and 16 weeks, vaccinated against rabies for less than 21 days (3 weeks).

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

• You can justify by a signed declaration that the animals have not been in contact with wild animals of rabies-susceptible species from birth until their movement
• Or the animals are accompanied by their mother, on whom they still depend, and the mother's passport shows that she was vaccinated against rabies before they were born.

If you find yourself in this situation, inquire at the embassy or consulate or on the website of the country of destination to find out if this entry is possible.

Also ask in advance about the conditions of transport of animals practiced 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.

You can travel with your dog to Finland, Ireland or Malta if it meets the following conditions:

• Your dog is identified by electronic chip (identification by tattoo remains allowed if the tattoo was made before 3 July 2011 and remains legible)
• You have his European identification passport issued by a veterinarian
• Your dog 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.

Your dog should also be dewormed against echinococcus worms (intestinal parasite).

The processing must be carried out at the earliest 120 hours and at the latest 24 hours before the scheduled date of entry into the territory of the State concerned.

Inquire at the embassy or consulate or on the website of the country of destination or at your nearest DDPP: titleContent to find out if other measures are imposed in your country of destination.

Entering the DDPP Online

Enter online the Departmental Direction of Protection of Populations

Contact the DPD by phone, email or on-site

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

However, this number may be greater than 5 if the following 3 conditions are met:

• Animals shall be transported for the purpose of participating in a contest, exhibition, sporting event or training for one of these events
• You have written proof that the animals are registered either to participate in the event or with an association that organizes such events
• The animals are more than 6 months old.

If you have to travel with more than 5 animals, ask your DDPP: titleContent.

Entering the DDPP Online

Enter online the Departmental Direction of Protection of Populations

Contact the DPD by phone, email or on-site

Some States may allow dogs less than 12 weeks (3 months) of age who have not yet been vaccinated against rabies to enter their territory.

Some States may allow the entry into their territory of dogs aged between 12 and 16 weeks, vaccinated against rabies for less than 21 days (3 weeks).

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

• You can justify by a signed declaration that the animals have not been in contact with wild animals of rabies-susceptible species from birth until their movement
• Or the animals are accompanied by their mother, on whom they still depend, and the mother's passport shows that she was vaccinated against rabies before they were born.

If you find yourself in this situation, inquire at the embassy or consulate or on the website of the country of destination to find out if this entry is possible.

Also ask in advance about the conditions of transport of animals practiced 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.