Planning to take your dog to France? Since Brexit, UK pets need specific documentation to enter France and other EU countries. Here's everything you need, step by step, to ensure your dog can travel legally and smoothly.
Documents Required: Quick Checklist
Essential Documents for France
- ✓ Microchip (ISO 15-digit)
- ✓ Rabies vaccination (21+ days old)
- ✓ Animal Health Certificate (AHC) (within 10 days)
That's it – three things. Let's look at each in detail.
1. Microchip
What's Required
Your dog must have an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip. This is the standard chip used in the UK and EU.
Key Points
- The chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination
- If your dog was vaccinated before being chipped, the vaccination doesn't count – you'll need to revaccinate
- Most UK dogs are already chipped (it's been law since 2016)
- The chip number appears on all travel documents
What to Check
- Your dog's chip is readable (ask your vet to scan it)
- Your contact details are up to date on the chip database
- The chip number matches your dog's vaccination records
2. Rabies Vaccination
What's Required
Your dog must have a valid rabies vaccination that's at least 21 days old at the time of travel.
Key Points
- Primary vaccination: If your dog has never been vaccinated against rabies, they must wait 21 days after the jab before travelling
- Booster: If the vaccination is a booster given within the validity period of the previous one, there's no 21-day wait
- Validity period: Usually 1-3 years depending on the vaccine used (check your vet's certificate)
- Vaccination must be given after microchipping
Timeline Example
| Scenario | When Can You Travel? |
|---|
| First-ever rabies jab given Jan 1 | From Jan 22 (21 days later) |
| Booster given within validity | Immediately |
| Booster given after validity lapsed | 21 days after booster |
What to Check
- The vaccination date on your records
- The expiry date (validity period)
- That the microchip number is recorded on the vaccination certificate
3. Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
What's Required
An Animal Health Certificate is the replacement for the old EU Pet Passport. It's an official document issued by a UK-authorised vet certifying that your pet meets travel requirements.
Key Points
- Must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) – not all vets are OVs
- Valid for entry to the EU for 10 days from issue date
- Once in the EU, valid for onward travel within the EU for 4 months
- Also valid for return to the UK throughout the 4-month period
What the Vet Checks
The OV will verify:
- Microchip is present and readable
- Rabies vaccination is valid and correctly recorded
- Your dog is fit to travel
- All details are correct (your name, address, dog's description)
Booking Tips
- Book the AHC appointment 5-7 days before travel (not too early, not last minute)
- Call ahead to confirm your vet is an Official Veterinarian
- Bring all existing vaccination records to the appointment
- Allow 30-45 minutes for the appointment
Finding an Official Veterinarian
Not all vets can issue AHCs. Search for "Official Veterinarian" or "OV vet" in your area, or ask your regular vet if they have OV certification. Many practices have at least one OV on staff.
Tapeworm Treatment: NOT Required for France Entry
Important clarification: Tapeworm treatment is not required to enter France or the EU. It's only required for returning to the UK.
When Is Tapeworm Treatment Needed?
- Going to France: NOT required
- Returning to UK from France: REQUIRED for dogs (1-5 days before UK entry)
The treatment must be given by a vet in the EU, recorded on your AHC, and administered 1-5 days before your return date. If you're using our transport service, we can advise on timing.
Documents NOT Required (Common Misconceptions)
You do NOT need:
- Pet Passport: These are no longer valid for UK pets post-Brexit
- Blood test: Not required for travel to France/EU
- Import permit: Not required for pets travelling with owners
- French translation: AHCs are accepted in English
Timeline: When to Do What
| When | Action |
|---|
| 6+ weeks before | Check microchip is working; get rabies jab if needed |
| 4 weeks before | Confirm rabies will be 21+ days old by travel date |
| 2 weeks before | Book AHC appointment with OV vet |
| 5-7 days before | Get AHC issued |
| Travel day | Bring original AHC and vaccination records |
At the Eurotunnel: What Happens
At Folkestone, you'll check in at Pet Reception where staff will:
- Scan your dog's microchip
- Check the Animal Health Certificate
- Verify the rabies vaccination
- Stamp your AHC
This takes about 15-30 minutes. If everything's in order, you're cleared to board.
What If Documents Are Wrong?
If there's an issue at Pet Reception:
- Missing/unreadable microchip: Cannot travel
- Rabies not 21 days old: Cannot travel until 21 days reached
- AHC expired: Cannot travel; need new AHC
- Minor errors on AHC: May be correctable; depends on the error
This is why we always recommend getting documents sorted well in advance and having them checked.
Let Us Handle the Paperwork Stress
If this seems overwhelming, our pet transport service includes document verification. We check everything before collection, ensuring there are no surprises at Pet Reception.
Stress-Free Pet Transport to France
We handle the journey, you handle the documents – but we check them first.
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Call: +44 7892 807912
The Core Document Set for France-Bound Dogs
For a dog travelling from Great Britain to France in 2026, the required documentation set is: microchip (ISO 15-digit, implanted before the rabies vaccination), rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before travel), Animal Health Certificate (issued by an Official Veterinarian within 10 days of departure), and for the return leg tapeworm treatment (administered by a vet 1–5 days before re-entry to GB). That is the entire document set; no additional French-specific paperwork is required.
French-Specific Dog Considerations Beyond Documents
Once in France, several practical regulations affect dog ownership beyond the entry documentation. France has breed-specific legislation classifying certain breeds as "category 1" (banned) or "category 2" (restricted with muzzle-and-leash, behavioural assessment, and liability insurance). The list includes American Pit Bull-type dogs, Mastiff variants, and certain Tosa lines. Visitors with non-listed breeds are unaffected, but verify your dog's breed status before booking.
Vet Recommendations for Pre-Travel AHCs
The AHC must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV). Not all UK practices have an OV on staff. Major chains with reliable OV networks include Vets4Pets, CVS Group, VetPartners, and IVC Evidensia. Independent OV-registered practices vary by region. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons maintains a public register of OVs.
Common Document-Day Mistakes
- Booking the AHC outside the 10-day window: The AHC is valid for 10 days from issuance for outbound travel. Issuing it earlier means it's expired by the time you travel.
- Forgetting tapeworm timing for return: The treatment must be administered 1–5 days before UK arrival. Earlier or later means rejection at Pet Reception.
- Microchip readability: Pre-2011 chips may not be ISO-compliant. Test with a vet's scanner before booking.
- Owner ID mismatch: The AHC owner details must match the passport details of the human accompanying the pet.
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