Moving to France with a Cat: What You Need to Know
Harlow enjoying his new home in Paris!
Moving abroad is a major life change — but when you’re bringing a pet along for the journey, there’s even more to consider. When I moved to France in September 2024, I brought my 7-year-old cat, Harlow, with me. While the process was fairly straightforward, it was also a bit costly and required careful planning to ensure everything went smoothly. If you’re considering moving to France with a cat, here’s everything you need to know about paperwork, vaccinations, travel logistics, and what to expect along the way.
Before you dive in: keep in mind that I’m not a pet travel expert, a vet, or affiliated with any official agency — I’m just sharing my personal experience bringing my cat, Harlow, from the United States to France in hopes that it helps others who are planning to do the same. The process and regulations for traveling with pets can vary depending on the type of animal, the number of pets you’re bringing, the country of origin, and even changes in government policies over time.
What I’m sharing here is what worked for me when I moved in September 2024, but your experience may be different! Be sure to check the USDA website, confirm requirements with a USDA-accredited vet, and double-check current rules with your airline and French authorities before your trip to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.
Meeting France’s Pet Entry Requirements
The European Union has specific pet import regulations that you’ll need to follow, including the completion of a pet health certificate, to bring your cat or dog into France legally. While these requirements aren’t overly complicated, missing even one small detail — like an outdated rabies vaccine or the wrong type of microchip — could delay your pet’s travel or even prevent them from entering the country.
Here’s what my cat needed to have in place before moving to France:
ISO-Compliant Microchip
Harlow needed to have an ISO-compliant microchip for identification. This is a 15-digit, non-encrypted microchip that can be scanned at EU entry points. Since he was already microchipped in the U.S., I confirmed with my vet that it met ISO standards — otherwise, I would have needed to get him chipped again before traveling.
Rabies Vaccination: Timing is Everything
Harlow’s rabies vaccination had to be up to date and administered after his microchip was implanted—otherwise, it wouldn’t count. The EU has strict rules regarding rabies vaccinations, and the classification depends on whether it’s a primary or booster shot.
Primary Rabies Vaccination
Your pet’s first rabies vaccine after being microchipped (or after any lapse in vaccination coverage) is considered a primary vaccination under EU rules and is only valid for one year — even if your vet administered a 3-year vaccine.
If your pet does not receive its next rabies vaccine within 1 year of a primary vaccination, coverage is considered lapsed, and you would need to restart the vaccination process before your planned move.
Booster Rabies Vaccination
If your pet receives its next rabies vaccine within 1 year of a primary vaccination, that booster vaccination is valid for 1–3 years, depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines.
If your pet’s most recent rabies shot was a booster, you must provide proof of all previous rabies vaccinations to show continuous coverage.
What to Keep in Mind
Rabies vaccines administered before a microchip was implanted do not count under EU rules.
A vet must scan the microchip before giving the rabies vaccine, and the microchip number should be recorded on all rabies vaccination certificates to avoid issues.
21-Day Waiting Period
After receiving a primary rabies vaccination, your pet must wait at least 21 days before entering France. If your pet has an up-to-date booster, travel may be allowed sooner — but all prior rabies vaccination records must be included with the pet health certificate.
For my move, I took Harlow to get an updated rabies vaccine about a month before I planned to leave to ensure I met all timing requirements.
Getting an EU Health Certificate from a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
Your pet needs a USDA-endorsed EU health certificate to enter France. Since Harlow was the only pet I was bringing with me and I was physically traveling with him into France, he qualified for the "non-commercial" health certificate. Here’s what this process looked like:
Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian: Not all vets can issue international travel certificates. You can find a list of USDA-accredited vets on the USDA website — I used this resource and then called to confirm before booking an appointment.
Health Exam & Certificate Issuance (Within 10 Days of Travel): 10 days before my flight, I took Harlow to my USDA-Accredited Veterinarian for a final health exam and to have the international health certificate completed and signed.
USDA Endorsement (Required for Travel): After the vet issued the certificate, they submitted it to the USDA for endorsement using the electronic system in their office. Keep in mind that the date of endorsement by the USDA must be within 10 or less days of your pet’s arrival in France, and it took a few additional days for the certificate to arrive back at the vet’s office to be picked up, so it’s important to schedule your vet appointment accordingly.
Altogether, the total cost for the vet visit, vaccinations, and USDA endorsement was about $500.
The process may sound a bit confusing or overwhelming at first, but USDA-accredited vets are very familiar with these requirements and have likely helped clients navigate pet travel abroad many times. Consulting with a USDA-accredited vet well in advance is the best way to ensure a smooth experience. I personally reached out about three months before my move, which was ideal because if I had waited, there might not have been an available appointment right away — something to keep in mind if you’re planning your own pet relocation.
Booking Your Flight & Understanding Airline Pet Policies
Airline policies for pet travel vary, so I researched flights carefully before booking to ensure a smooth experience for my cat, Harlow. I ended up flying with United Airlines from my hometown of Cleveland, OH to Newark, NJ, which charged a $125 pet fee, and then continued on French Bee from Newark, NJ to Paris, where the pet fee was $75. Both airlines allowed me to keep Harlow in the cabin under the seat in front of me, which was a huge relief. If you’re traveling with a pet, always check the airline’s specific size and weight restrictions for in-cabin travel, as these policies can differ.
At the airport, the only time I was asked to present Harlow’s USDA-endorsed EU health certificate was at the French Bee check-in counter before my international flight. Beyond that, he or his paperwork were never checked again — not even upon arrival in France (aside from the standard security screenings). However, this may not be the case for everyone, so always be prepared to show the necessary documentation at any point in your journey.
If possible, I’d also highly recommend booking a direct flight to France from your city of origin. Since I had a layover and had to transfer airlines, the extra time in transit added an extra layer of stress — not just for me, but for Harlow as well. This was his first time flying, and while he handled the journey somewhat well at first, I could tell his patience wore thin as the travel day stretched on. The fewer disruptions and hours of travel, the better — for both you and your pet!
Final Thoughts: Is Moving to France With a Cat Difficult?
Bringing Harlow to France required a bit of planning and budgeting, but overall, the process was straightforward and manageable as long as I followed each step carefully.
Here are my biggest takeaways:
✔ Plan early: Make sure your pet’s rabies vaccine is up to date and that their microchip meets ISO requirements.
✔ Work with a USDA-accredited vet: They’ll be familiar with the paperwork process and can ensure you meet all travel deadlines.
✔ Budget for costs: Vet visits, vaccines, and USDA endorsements add up. Expect to spend around $500+ on pre-travel requirements, along with the individual costs of your pet’s air travel, which will vary by airline.
✔ Book a pet-friendly airline: Confirm in-cabin pet policies and required paperwork well in advance.
✔ Keep all documents handy: Even if my pet wasn’t checked upon arrival, rules can change. Always be prepared with paperwork in case authorities request it.
Relocating with a pet doesn’t have to be stressful, as long as you stay organized and proactive. If you’re planning to bring your furry friend along on your move to France, I hope my experience helps make the process a little easier for you!
