Dogs in France: rules, tax and travel

Dogs and cats must be identified (microchip or old-style tattoo) and recorded in the national I-CAD file, and anyone acquiring one signs a certificate of commitment and waits 7 days. No national dog tax or general dog licence was found.

Leash and muzzle orders are set by departments and mayors, so rules can differ between municipalities.

Breed rules

Where	Rule	Breeds and notes
Whole country	Banned	chiens de type American Staffordshire terrier (pit-bulls) sans pedigree, chiens de type Mastiff (boerbulls) sans pedigree, chiens de type Tosa sans pedigree Catégorie 1 (chiens d'attaque, arrêté du 27 avril 1999, Code rural L211-11 to L211-16): acquisition, sale, gift and import banned; existing dogs need a permis de détention, sterilisation, insurance, muzzle and leash, and are barred from public transport and most public places. [1]
Whole country	Permit required	American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Tosa, chiens assimilables au Rottweiler sans pedigree Catégorie 2 (chiens de garde et de défense): permis de détention from the mairie, behavioural evaluation at 8-12 months, owner training certificate, liability insurance, muzzle and leash in public places and transport. [1]

Registration and microchip

Registration

Dogs must be recorded in the national I-CAD identification file (FNICD) through the vet who identifies them. Owners must update their details after a move or change of owner.[2]

Microchip

Identification is compulsory and must be done by a vet, by microchip or an older tattoo. Dogs must be identified from 4 months old and before any transfer. An unidentified dog can lead to a EUR 750 fine.[3]

Dog tax and licence

Licence or owner test

There is no general dog licence found. Anyone acquiring a dog or cat, paid or free, signs a certificate of commitment and knowledge, and the animal cannot be handed over before a 7 day period ends.[4]

Insurance

Liability insurance

Liability insurance is required for category 1 and 2 dogs as part of their permit. No general rule for other dogs was confirmed.[5]

Leash and muzzle

Leash and muzzle

Dogs must be on a leash on public roads in urban areas under the departmental health regulation, and mayors can order leashes and muzzles locally.[5]

Other rules

Pet shops have been banned from selling or giving away dogs and cats since 1 January 2024. Sale or gift of a pet to a minor without parental consent is prohibited.[6]

Sellers must hand over a vet certificate under 3 months old and check the signed certificate of commitment; reported fines are EUR 450 and EUR 750.[7]

Travelling to France with a dog

From an EU country

The pet travels with its owner and needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at 12 weeks or older and valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination, and an EU pet passport. Maximum 5 pets per vehicle.[8]

From outside the EU

The pet needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (12 weeks or older, valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination), an animal health certificate valid 10 days for the entry checks, and a signed non-commercial declaration. It must enter through a travellers' point of entry. Maximum 5 pets per vehicle. The French ministry also says the blood test, where needed, must be certified by an official vet of the country of departure.[9]

Rabies antibody test

Needed for pets from non-EU countries that are not on the EU list. Blood sample at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before the certificate is issued, tested at a designated laboratory, result 0.5 IU/ml or more. Not needed when travelling between EU countries.[9]

Tapeworm treatment

Tapeworm treatment for dogs is required only for entry into Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland, given by a vet 24 to 120 hours before entry. It is not required to enter this country.[8]

Quarantine

The EU entry conditions list no quarantine for pets that meet them.[9]

Not confirmed yet: Dog tax. We only show what an official or named source states.

Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.