Bringing Your Pet to Paris, Step by Step
Relocating a pet to Paris involves navigating the EU’s pet travel requirements, from microchipping and rabies vaccination to the right health certificate for entry into France. Starwood Pet Travel handles every step of this process for you. We coordinate with airlines, ground handlers, and French border officials to make sure your dog or cat arrives safely and on schedule.
Whether you’re moving to Paris for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in France, our team manages the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Airports Serving Paris
Recommended
CDG
France’s largest airport and Air France’s main hub
- Distance from city center16 miles (25 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, a dedicated animal station in the cargo zone
- Direct flights from US hubsYes, from many major hubs
- Best forMost pet relocations to Paris
ORY
South of the city
- Distance from city center8 miles (13 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityLimited
- Direct flights from US hubsLimited
- Best forSelect routes, mainly within Europe
i
Why airport choice matters
Charles de Gaulle handles the large majority of transatlantic flights into Paris and has a dedicated animal facility for pets arriving as cargo. Orly is closer to the city center but has far fewer US routes. Starwood routes most Paris relocations directly into CDG, choosing a nonstop flight whenever the airline and schedule allow, or a connection through a major European hub when that’s the safer option for your pet.
Traveling to Paris with Pets
What Are the Requirements to Bring My Pet to Paris?
France follows the European Union’s pet travel rules. Getting the steps in the right order is what lets pets enter without quarantine. For full country-level requirements, see our France Pet Relocation Guide.
It starts with a microchip that meets ISO 11784/11785 standards. The chip must be implanted and scanned before the rabies vaccination, or the vaccine won’t count for EU travel. Your pet then needs a rabies vaccination, followed by a wait of at least 21 days. Some vaccine manufacturers require 30 days. For pets vaccinated in the US, the EU treats a first rabies shot as valid for only one year, even if it’s a three-year vaccine. Pets traveling from the United States don’t need a rabies antibody blood test, and France doesn’t require tapeworm treatment for dogs.
The final piece is the EU health certificate. A USDA-accredited veterinarian issues it, and the USDA endorses it. For France, the USDA must ink-sign and emboss the certificate, so the original paper document has to travel with your pet. New EU non-commercial certificates took effect October 1, 2026, and new commercial certificates took effect October 17, 2026. Under the new non-commercial certificate:
- The document is valid for 30 days after your vet issues it.
- USDA endorsement must happen within 10 days of your pet’s arrival in the EU.
- Once in the EU, the certificate can be used for travel within the EU for up to six months, as long as the rabies vaccination stays valid.
Because pets must be at least 12 weeks old for the rabies vaccine and then wait at least 21 days, puppies and kittens coming from the US will be at least 15 weeks old when they arrive in France.
Commercial vs. non-commercial pet travel to Paris
Your pet can usually travel under a non-commercial certificate if both of these apply:
- You’re on the same flight, or someone you authorize travels with your pet within five days of your own trip.
- You’re moving five or fewer pets.
A commercial certificate is required if no owner or authorized person can travel with the pet, if you’re moving six or more pets, or if the pet is changing owners. Commercial certificates require a veterinary exam within 48 hours of departure.
Here’s the reassuring part: when these steps are completed correctly and in sequence, quarantine is not required. Pets that arrive with missing or incorrect paperwork can be quarantined or refused entry at the owner’s expense. This is exactly why timing and sequencing matter, and it’s where working with a pet relocation specialist makes the most difference.
Which Airport Should I Fly My Pet Into, and What Happens on Arrival?
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the right choice for nearly every Paris relocation. It’s about 16 miles northeast of the city center, receives nonstop flights from many US hubs, and has a dedicated animal station in its cargo zone.
Paris Orly (ORY) is closer to the center, about 8 miles south, but it has limited US service and isn’t usually practical for pets arriving from the US.
On arrival, your pet’s microchip and health certificate are checked. Pets flying as cargo must also clear customs before they can be collected. Starwood coordinates clearance through our handling partners, so your pet moves from the aircraft to your new home as quickly as possible.
What Airlines Fly Pets to Paris, and How Should I Choose a Route?
Paris has nonstop service from many US cities, with Air France and its partners offering the widest network into CDG. Other options connect through European hubs such as Frankfurt or Amsterdam. Not every airline accepts pets as cargo.
The right route depends on your departure city, travel dates, your pet’s breed and size, and seasonal temperature restrictions. Snub-nosed breeds, for example, face extra airline limits. Starwood compares the options and books the safest, most direct routing available for your pet.
If you have a bully or guarding breed, check with our team before anything else. France sorts certain dogs into two categories:
- Category 1, “attack dogs”: dogs without a pedigree that resemble an American Staffordshire Terrier (commonly called pit bulls), a Mastiff (commonly called boerbulls), or a Tosa. Importing a Category 1 dog into France is a criminal offence, punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine.
- Category 2, “guard and defense dogs”: pedigreed American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, and Tosas, as well as dogs that resemble Rottweilers. These dogs can be imported. Owners must then meet French requirements that include a detention permit (permis de détention) and a behavioral assessment of the dog.
How Long Does the Process Take, and What Does It Cost?
For pets coming from the US, the minimum timeline is about 21 to 30 days after the rabies vaccination, depending on the vaccine. We recommend starting two to three months before your move. That leaves time for vet appointments, USDA endorsement, mailing the original ink-endorsed certificate, airline bookings, and seasonal restrictions. Pets coming from countries the EU doesn’t list as low-risk need a rabies blood test and a three-month wait, so plan for at least four months.
Cost depends on your pet’s size, departure city, and routing. Use our cost calculator to get an estimate.
Why Choose Starwood for Pet Travel to Paris?
Starwood Pet Travel is an IATA-certified international pet relocation company and part of IVC Evidensia. Moving a pet to France comes with specific challenges:
- New EU health certificates
- Original ink USDA endorsement
- Airline-specific pet policies
- France’s dog category laws
Our team handles all of it, from vet coordination and USDA paperwork to airline booking, customs clearance, and delivery to your door.
Whether you’re moving to Paris for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in France, we manage the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Ready to start your pet’s journey to Paris? Request a free quote.
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