Taking Your Dog to France From the UK: What You Need in 2026
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
France is one of the most popular destinations for UK dog owners, whether you are travelling through the Channel Tunnel, taking a ferry or continuing onwards into Spain, Italy or elsewhere in Europe.
The paperwork is straightforward once you know what is required.
1. Make sure your dog is microchipped
Your dog must be correctly microchipped before travel.
The microchip details need to match the information used for the rabies vaccination and your pet travel documentation.
2. Check the rabies vaccination
Your dog needs a valid rabies vaccination.
If this is your dog’s first rabies vaccination, you must normally wait at least 21 full days before travel.
If your dog has had a valid booster given before the previous vaccination expired, the 21-day waiting period will not usually restart.
3. Get an Animal Health Certificate
For most dogs travelling from Great Britain into the EU, you will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian.
The certificate records your dog’s microchip, rabies vaccination and travel details.
Your AHC can be issued before your journey and used to enter the EU within 10 days of the issue date.
4. Do I need a new AHC for every trip?
Yes.
You will normally need a new Animal Health Certificate for each new trip from Great Britain into the EU.
That is why we offer reduced pricing for repeat customers.
5. Does my dog need tapeworm treatment to enter France?
Dogs do not usually require the specific tapeworm treatment needed for some other destinations simply to enter France from Great Britain.
However, different requirements can apply depending on your full travel route and your return journey, so it is important to check the requirements for every country involved.
Animal Health Certificates from £139
The Pet Passport Co. provides convenient Animal Health Certificate appointments across multiple UK locations.
We offer:
Animal Health Certificates from £139
Repeat certificates from £119
Home visit options
Convenient collection points
Appointments with Official Veterinarians
Clear guidance before you travel
Travelling to France with your dog?
Whether you are heading to Normandy, Paris, the Alps or driving through France towards Spain, get your pet travel paperwork organised before you leave.
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