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Bringing a dog to France is one of the most rewarding trips you can plan together, and the paperwork is far less scary than it looks. To bring a dog to France from the United States you need an ISO 15 digit microchip, a rabies vaccination given after the chip, and a USDA endorsed EU health certificate issued within 10 days of travel.
France also has a wonderfully dog-friendly rail network, and I explain how it works in my train travel with a dog guide.
I still remember standing under the Eiffel Tower with Puglo in my arms, both of us a little travel rumpled, thinking about how a rescue pug from Mexico had somehow ended up sightseeing in Paris. France turned out to be one of the easiest and most dog loving places we have visited, and we have crossed a lot of borders together.
Dogs are welcome in cafes, on trains, and in shops in a way that may surprise visitors from North America. This guide walks through exactly what you need, the timeline to follow, how to get around, and dog-friendly France tips.
What do you need to bring a dog to France from the US?
To bring a dog to France from the US (or any low-risk rabies country) you need three things: an ISO 15 digit microchip, a valid rabies vaccination administered after the microchip was implanted, and a USDA endorsed EU health certificate (an Animal Health Certificate) issued by a USDA accredited vet within 10 days of arrival. The United States is a listed country, so no rabies titer blood test is required.
France sits inside the European Union, so the entry rules are the same EU rules that apply when you are bringing a dog to Italy or taking a dog to Spain. If you plan to hop between countries, read my broader guide on traveling to Europe with your dog so your documents cover the whole trip. Here is the document checklist at a glance.
| Requirement | Details | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| ISO microchip | 15 digit, ISO 11784/11785 compliant, implanted first | Before rabies shot |
| Rabies vaccination | Given after the microchip, from an approved vet | At least 21 days before travel |
| EU health certificate (AHC) | USDA accredited vet fills it, then USDA endorses it | Within 10 days of arrival |
| Rabies titer test | Not required from the US (listed country) | N/A |
The order matters more than anything. The microchip has to go in before the rabies vaccine, because a shot given before the chip does not count for EU travel.
If you are traveling from a high-risk rabies country, you will also need to have a rabies titer test.
The paperwork is mostly for the airline. Every airline I have flown into Paris with checked Puglo’s documents at the gate before they would let us board, so that is where you actually need everything in order. Customs on the France side, though, was almost a non-event. They waved us through and did not so much as glance at my dog, let alone ask for his health certificate.
That said, do not let the relaxed arrival fool you into traveling light on documents. The airline can deny boarding on the spot if something is missing, and rules can change without warning, so I always carry the full folder (EU health certificate, microchip and rabies records, the works). Better to have it and not need it than get stuck at the check-in desk.
The exact timeline to follow
Give yourself at least a month before departure, and more if your dog is not microchipped yet. This is the sequence I follow before every EU trip with Puglo.
- Confirm the ISO microchip is readable, or have one implanted now.
- Get the rabies vaccine after the chip is in, then wait 21 days before you travel.
- Book the vet appointment for the EU health certificate within the 10 day window before your flight.
- Have the completed certificate USDA endorsed (many vets now use the online VEHCS system, which is faster).
- Print everything, plus a backup copy, and keep it in your carry on.
For the full pre-trip routine, including what I pack in Puglo’s carrier, see my packing list for traveling with a dog and my broader walkthrough on how to travel with a dog internationally.
Which airlines fly your dog to France?
Most major European carriers allow small dogs in the cabin on flights to France, usually up to around 8 kg including the carrier. Air France, Lufthansa, and KLM all accept in-cabin dogs on transatlantic routes, while larger dogs travel as checked cargo. Always book the pet spot by phone, because cabin slots are capped per flight.
However if you are flying a U.S. airline, they don’t have such strict weight limits.
If you have a bigger dog, there are also a few airlines that let dogs of any size ride in the cabin on transatlantic routes, like K9 Jets and Bark Air. I compare cabin size limits in my roundups airlines that allow large dogs in cabin.
Puglo is a pug, so if you also travel with a flat faced breed, read my notes on flying with a pug before you book, since snub nosed rules vary by airline.
Returning to the US from France with your dog
Coming home, your dog must appear healthy, be at least 6 months old, have an ISO microchip, and you must submit the CDC Dog Import Form online 2 to 10 days before arrival. Bring the confirmation receipt. Because France is not a high risk country for dog rabies, you do not need the extra screwworm inspection that dogs returning from Mexico require.
Rules change, so I always reconfirm on the official CDC page before flying. If your trip started in Mexico or another high risk country, the requirements are stricter and I cover them in my Mexico guides.
Getting around France with a dog
Yes, dogs are allowed on French trains, the metro, and most buses. On SNCF trains small dogs under 6 kg travel in a carrier and larger dogs travel on a leash and muzzle, or a flat fee. This is where France really shines, because you can build a whole trip around trains.
| Dog size | SNCF train rule | Approx. fare (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 kg | In a carrier (max 45 x 30 x 25 cm), on your lap or under the seat | Around 10 euros flat |
| Over 6 kg | On a leash and muzzled, may occupy a seat | Around 10 euros flat |
| Guide or assistance dog | No muzzle needed with proof of training, travels free | Free |
On the Paris metro, small dogs in a carrier ride free and larger muzzled dogs need a ticket. One heads up: France has breed legislation, so category 1 attack type dogs cannot be imported at all, and category 2 guard breeds must be muzzled and leashed in public.
City transit is where traveling France with a dog gets even easier, and cheaper. On the Paris metro, RER, buses, and trams (the RATP network), a small dog in a carrier or bag up to about 45 cm rides completely free. Larger dogs are allowed on the metro and RER as long as they are leashed and muzzled, though since 2025 big dogs are limited to the metro and rail rather than city buses and trams.
This is one of my favorite things about Paris with a dog. We hopped the metro all over the city with Puglo and never paid a cent extra for him. One more tip: on some regional TER lines the rules are more relaxed than on the big TGV and Intercites trains, so it is always worth checking the specific line before you buy. You can see the official rules on the SNCF pet travel page.
Dog-friendly France: cafes, hotels, and things to do
France treats dogs like part of the family. Most cafes and bistros will happily seat you with a well behaved dog at your feet, no special dog menu or patio rule required. In Paris we wandered in and out of little corner cafes, and Puglo napped under the table while I drank far too much coffee.
If you are in Paris with your pup, Le Bone Appart in the Marais is a must. Tucked at 9 Rue de Birague in the 4th, it opened in 2024 as the city’s first proper dog café, and it is exactly the kind of spot Puglo lives for. Think fresh brownies and cheesecake for you, a pup cup and a little dog croissant for them, plus a wall of berets, raincoats, and collars if you cannot resist a souvenir. It is as much a community as a café, so the regulars and their dogs make it feel instantly warm.
For hotels, filter for pet friendly properties and confirm the pet fee when you book. You can find dog-friendly hotels in Paris on Booking.com, which is what I use for most of Europe.
Where to go in France with your dog
France is one of the most dog-friendly countries I have ever traveled with Puglo, and you can build a great trip almost anywhere. Paris is the obvious start, with dogs welcome on cafe terraces, in many shops, and all through the parks. For something slower, Provence in the south is made for dogs, all lavender fields, quiet villages, and long lunches where nobody blinks at a pug under the table.
The French Riviera (Cote d’Azur) around Nice and Antibes has dog-friendly beaches and a beautiful coastal path, though check the signs in July and August when some stretches restrict dogs. Normandy in the north is fantastic for a dog who loves to run, with huge open beaches and the D-Day coast. The Loire Valley pairs easy chateau day trips with dog-friendly gardens, and Annecy near the Alps has a lake and old town that feel custom-built for a dog walk.
If you want fewer crowds, the Dordogne in the southwest is rural, walkable, and welcoming. Wherever you land, look for the “chien accepte” or “nos amis les animaux” signs, which mean your pup is welcome. If France is one stop on a bigger trip, my guide to taking your dog to Europe covers crossing borders.
Verify the rules before you fly
Import rules change, so I always confirm the current requirements on the official sources before every trip: the European Commission pet entry page, the USDA APHIS pet travel site for the health certificate, and the CDC Dog Import Form page for the trip home.
Flying with your dog soon? Grab my cabin guide
I turned everything I learned flying Puglo across borders into a step by step Cabin Guide to flying with your dog. It covers carriers, airline rules, and the exact prep that keeps travel calm for both of you.
Frequently asked questions about bringing a dog to France
Can I bring my dog to France from the US?
Yes. Your dog needs an ISO 15 digit microchip, a rabies vaccine given after the chip, and a USDA endorsed EU health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. The US is a listed country, so no rabies titer blood test is required for entry.
Do dogs need a passport to enter France?
US dogs do not use an EU pet passport, since those are issued to pets already in the EU. Instead you travel with a USDA endorsed EU Animal Health Certificate for each trip. If you move to France, an EU vet can then issue a reusable pet passport.
Are dogs allowed in restaurants in France?
Usually yes. Most French cafes and bistros welcome a well behaved leashed dog at your feet, and no special patio rule is needed. Some upscale or Michelin restaurants may decline, so it is polite to ask when you arrive rather than assume.
Can dogs travel on trains in France?
Yes. On SNCF trains small dogs under 6 kg ride in a carrier and larger dogs travel leashed and muzzled, both for a flat fee of about 10 euros in 2026. Guide and assistance dogs travel free and do not need a muzzle with proof of training.
How much does it cost to bring a dog to France?
Budget for the vet visit and USDA endorsement of the health certificate, which runs around 100 US dollars, plus the microchip and rabies vaccine if your dog needs them. Airline in-cabin pet fees add roughly 100 to 200 dollars each way on transatlantic flights.
Requirements verified against the European Commission, USDA APHIS, and CDC in July 2026. Always reconfirm before you travel.
Planning more dog-friendly adventures? You might also like dog friendly hotels in Italy, dog-friendly Barcelona, and the best harness for pugs.
