Travelling to France with Your Pet After Brexit
France is the most popular EU destination for UK pet travellers, largely because of its proximity via the Channel Tunnel and the short ferry crossings from southern England. Every year, tens of thousands of dogs, cats, and ferrets make the crossing with their owners. Since Brexit, however, the process has changed significantly, and the rules are stricter than many owners expect.
France is an EU member state, which means the standard post-Brexit requirements for UK pet travel apply in full. Understanding these requirements — and a few France-specific considerations — will help you avoid problems at the border and ensure your pet arrives safely.
Documents Required to Enter France with a Pet
Three core requirements apply to all dogs, cats, and ferrets travelling from the UK to France. Your pet must have a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted before or at the same time as their first rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of travel, and if your pet is receiving their first ever rabies jab, you must wait at least 21 days after that vaccination before travelling — a booster given within the existing valid period does not require the same wait.
The third requirement is an Animal Health Certificate, which must be completed and signed by an Official Veterinarian — a vet who holds an OV qualification and is registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Not all vets hold this qualification, so confirm with your practice well in advance. The AHC is valid for 10 days from the date of issue for sea and air travel, but only 5 days for travel via the Channel Tunnel. This shorter window is specific to Eurotunnel and Eurostar routes and catches many owners out. There is no tapeworm treatment required for pets entering France itself, though this treatment is necessary if you then plan to travel onward to Finland, Ireland, Malta, or Norway.
Travelling Through the Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel is the quickest route from the UK to France and is widely used by pet owners. There are two types of Channel Tunnel service: Le Shuttle, which carries vehicles and their passengers (including pets) between Folkestone and Coquelles near Calais, and Eurostar, which carries passengers by train.
Pets may only travel through the Channel Tunnel on Le Shuttle — they are not permitted on Eurostar passenger trains. On Le Shuttle, pets remain in the vehicle throughout the crossing. You must check in at the Eurotunnel Pet Check-In at Folkestone at least 90 minutes before your scheduled departure. Staff will inspect your documentation at this point, so ensure your AHC is with you and was issued within the 5-day window.
Because the 5-day window is shorter than the 10-day window for sea crossings, it requires more precise timing when booking your OV appointment. If your vet appointment falls on a Monday, for example, you can travel no later than the Saturday of that week.
Ferry Routes to France
Several ferry operators run services between England and France that are suitable for pet travel. Common routes include Dover to Calais, Portsmouth to Cherbourg, Portsmouth to Caen, and Portsmouth to St Malo. Operators on these routes include P&O Ferries, DFDS, and Brittany Ferries, each with different pet policies.
On most ferry crossings, pets must remain in the vehicle on the car deck or in a designated pet lounge area — they are not generally permitted in passenger areas. Check the specific policy for your operator and vessel when booking, as arrangements vary. Some crossings offer supervised pet lounges where animals can be walked during longer journeys. For sea crossings, your AHC must have been issued within 10 days of travel, giving you more flexibility than the Channel Tunnel window.
Dangerous Dog Legislation in France
France has national legislation on dangerous dogs under Loi 99-5, which divides affected breeds into two categories. Category 1 dogs, sometimes described as attack dogs, include Pit Bull Terrier types, Tosa, and dogs that resemble these breeds without registration papers. Category 1 dogs are banned in France — you cannot bring them into the country, and they are not permitted on French territory. This is a hard prohibition with no exceptions for UK visitors.
Category 2 dogs include Rottweilers, Dobermanns, and American Staffordshire Terriers, as well as dogs resembling these breeds. If you are travelling to France with a Category 2 dog, you are required to keep the dog muzzled and on a lead in all public places. You must also hold civil liability insurance and are subject to registration requirements. These rules apply to foreign visitors as well as French residents, so check whether your breed falls into either category before booking your trip.
Health Risks for Pets in France
Several diseases are present in parts of France that UK pets will not have encountered at home and for which they have no natural immunity.
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis, caused by the Leishmania infantum parasite and transmitted by sandfly bites, is present in southern France, particularly in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, and Corsica. If you are travelling to these areas with a dog, speak to your vet before departure about preventative options. The Canileish vaccine offers protection for dogs that test negative for the disease, and repellent spot-on treatments and collars can reduce the risk of sandfly bites. Sandflies are most active at dawn and dusk during warmer months.
Heartworm
Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), transmitted by mosquitoes, is present in southern France and can cause severe and potentially fatal disease in dogs. Preventative treatment, typically given monthly, is available through your vet and should be discussed before travelling to southern regions. The risk is lower in northern France but increases significantly as you travel south.
Tick-Borne Diseases
Ticks are more prevalent in rural France than in the UK, and they carry diseases including Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Babesia that are not currently established in Britain. Use a veterinary-recommended tick prevention product throughout your trip and check your pet daily, removing any ticks promptly. Countryside and forested areas carry the highest risk.
Returning to the UK From France
When you return to the UK from France, your pet will need a GB Pet Health Certificate to enter Great Britain. This works similarly to the AHC process — it must be completed by an authorised vet and covers the pet's health status for entry into the UK. Pets arriving from EU listed countries do not require a rabies antibody titre test, which is a significant advantage compared to the process for pets arriving from unlisted countries.
Entry into the UK on return must also be made through an approved UK Border Control Post. Approved points include Dover and Folkestone for Channel crossings. Your return documentation should be arranged in the same way as your outbound AHC — confirm with your OV vet the timing requirements and approved entry points before planning your return journey.
Practical Tips for Travelling to France with a Pet
- Book your OV vet appointment as early as possible, especially during summer when demand is high.
- For Channel Tunnel travel, remember the AHC must be issued within 5 days — not 10.
- Arrive at Eurotunnel Pet Check-In at least 90 minutes before departure.
- Check your ferry operator's specific pet policy before booking.
- Discuss disease prevention (leishmaniasis, heartworm, ticks) with your vet if travelling to southern France.
- Verify whether your dog breed falls under French dangerous dog legislation before travel.