Relocating to France With Pets: Guide for Executives

For many families, the dog or the cat is not negotiable, and one wrong date on a vaccination record can stop a pet at the border.

Relocating to France with pets is straightforward when the steps are done in the right order. This guide covers EU entry requirements for dogs and cats, airline logistics, and how to find corporate housing that accepts animals.

The EU Entry Requirements, in Order

The EU recast its pet movement rules in April 2026, but the core requirements below remain. Always check the current rules with the airline and the official vet before travelling.

1. Microchip first

The pet must be identified with a microchip (an ISO 15-digit chip is the standard). The chip must be implanted before, or on the same day as, the rabies vaccination: a vaccine given before the chip does not count.

2. Rabies vaccination

The pet must be vaccinated against rabies by an authorised vet, at the minimum age required. After a first vaccination, there is a 21-day wait before the pet can enter the EU.

3. Rabies antibody test, depending on the origin

• From a listed country (including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United Arab Emirates): no antibody test is required, as long as vaccination is valid.
• From a non-listed country: a blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination, analysed in an EU-approved laboratory with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, and the pet must then wait three months from the date of the blood sample before entering the EU.

4. EU animal health certificate

An official vet in the country of departure issues an EU health certificate, valid for 10 days for entry into the EU.

Requirements by Origin

Coming from

Microchip

Flying With a Pet

• In the cabin: small pets in a carrier can travel under the seat on many airlines, within a weight limit set by each airline. Places are limited: book early.
• In the hold or as cargo: larger animals travel in the hold. Some airlines refuse animals in the hold during very hot or cold periods, and many restrict short-nosed breeds (such as French bulldogs or Persian cats).

Each airline sets its own rules: confirm them in writing before booking the family's flights.

Finding Pet-Friendly Housing

French law limits a landlord's ability to ban pets: under the Law of 9 July 1970, a clause forbidding a tenant from keeping a household pet in a home is generally void, subject to exceptions (notably for certain dangerous dog categories) and as long as the animal causes no damage or nuisance. In practice, though, owners of high-end furnished homes are often reluctant, and choices narrow quickly.

Ask for pet acceptance in writing before signing, agree how wear and cleaning will be handled, and look for homes close to parks or with outdoor space. For Paris districts, see our guide to the top Paris neighbourhoods for relocating executives.

Pet Relocation Checklist

• Microchip implanted before (or with) the rabies vaccine
• Rabies vaccination valid, with the 21-day wait respected after a first dose
• Antibody test and three-month wait if coming from a non-listed country
• EU health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
• Airline booking for the pet confirmed in writing
• Pet acceptance confirmed in the lease
• Appointment with a local vet booked for the first month

A Four-Month Timeline

Month 4 before departure

• Check whether the country of departure is listed by the EU.
• Confirm the microchip, or have one implanted, before any rabies vaccination.

Month 3 to 4

• Give the rabies vaccination if needed.
• From a non-listed country: take the blood sample at least 30 days after vaccination, then start the three-month wait.

Month 1 to 2

• Book the pet's place with the airline and get its rules in writing.
• Confirm pet acceptance with the future home.

Last 10 days

• Visit the official vet for the EU health certificate.

After arrival

• See a local vet and register the pet in the French database.

Living With a Pet in France

Dogs are welcome in many places in France, including parks, café terraces and some shops, but rules vary by city. Dogs must generally be kept on a lead in public areas of cities, and owners must clean up after them. Some breeds are subject to specific rules. Check the rules of the building (règlement de copropriété) too, especially for noise and common areas.

Common Mistakes

Vaccinating before microchipping. The vaccine will not count, and the process starts again.

Missing the 10-day window. The health certificate must be issued close to the travel date.

Booking the family flight first. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight: secure the pet's place before the family's tickets.

Assuming every landlord accepts pets. Get acceptance in writing before signing.

How Le Mendèlle Helps

Le Mendèlle searches for furnished corporate housing that accepts pets, confirms acceptance with the owner before signing, and coordinates the family's settling-in through a single point of contact. See how it fits into the first 30 days in France.

FAQ

Sources: Your Europe – Travelling with pets · French Ministry of Agriculture