Why your dog's papers are essential
Whether you are going on a weekend in Normandy or on a road trip across Europe, your dog needs up-to-date identity documents. In France, identification has been compulsory since 2012 for all dogs over 4 months old (article L212-10 of the Rural Code). Abroad, the requirements are even stricter: without a European passport and a valid rabies vaccination, your dog will be turned back at the border — or even placed in quarantine at your expense.
Get your dog's papers in order
Here are the steps to follow so that your companion is in order, whether you stay in France or cross borders European standards.
Go to your veterinarian to check that your dog's microchip is readable and registered in the I-CAD database (formerly ICAD). If your dog is not yet chipped, the veterinarian will implant an ISO 11784/11785 chip under the skin on the left side of the neck. Cost: €60 to €80 depending on the veterinarian. Check that your contact details are up to date on i-cad.fr.
The rabies vaccination is mandatory for all travel outside from Franceand highly recommended for domestic travel. The primary vaccination must be carried out at least 21 days before departure (EU regulation 576/2013). The booster is annual or three-yearly depending on the vaccine used. Your veterinarian will note the validity date in the passport.
Le passeport européen pour animal de compagnie est délivré uniquement par un vétérinaire habilité. Il contient : identification (puce), vaccinations, traitements antiparasitaires. Il coûte entre 15 et 20 € et est valable à vie (seules les vaccinations doivent être renouvelées). Demandez-le même si vous ne voyagez qu'en France — il remplace avantageusement le carnet de santé.
Pour les voyages hors Union européenne, un certificat sanitaire international est souvent exigé. Il doit être établi par un vétérinaire dans les 10 jours précédant le départ et visé par la DDPP (Direction départementale de la protection des populations). Les exigences varient selon le pays : titrage sérique antirabique pour le Maroc, quarantaine pour le Royaume-Uni post-Brexit, etc.
Photocopiez ou numérisez le passeport, le certificat de vaccination, l'attestation I-CAD et le certificat sanitaire si applicable. Conservez les copies séparément des originaux (dans votre valise, en version numérique sur votre téléphone). En cas de perte, vous pourrez prouver l'identité de votre chien aux autorités.
L'application mobile I-CAD (disponible sur iOS et Android) vous permet d'accéder à la fiche d'identification de votre chien à tout moment, de signaler un changement d'adresse, et surtout de déclarer immédiatement la perte de votre animal. Activez les notifications pour recevoir les alertes en cas d'animal trouvé dans votre secteur.
France, Europe ou hors UE : que faut-il ?
Les documents exigés varient considérablement selon votre destination. Ce tableau résume les obligations par zone géographique.
| Document | France uniquement | Voyage en UE | Hors UE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puce électronique | Obligatoire | Obligatoire | Obligatoire |
| Carnet de santé | Recommandé | Insuffisant seul | Insuffisant |
| Passeport européen | Recommandé | Obligatoire | Obligatoire |
| Vaccin rage | Recommandé | Obligatoire (21 j avant) | Obligatoire |
| Certificat sanitaire | Non requis | Non requis | Souvent obligatoire |
| Titrage antirabique | Non requis | Non requis | Selon le pays |
| Traitement antiparasitaire | Recommandé | Obligatoire (UK, Irlande, Finlande) | Selon le pays |
- Obligatoire depuis le 1er janvier 2012 pour tous les chiens de plus de 4 mois (article L212-10 du Code rural)
- Norme ISO 11784/11785 — puce à 15 chiffres, lisible par tous les lecteurs universels en Europe
- Base nationale I-CAD (Identification des Carnivores Domestiques) — gère 20 millions d'animaux identifiés en France
- Coût : 60 à 80 € tout compris (puce + implantation + enregistrement I-CAD), réalisé exclusivement par un vétérinaire
- Durée de vie illimitée — la puce fonctionne sans batterie par radiofréquence, elle est active toute la vie du chien
- Remplacement du tatouage — le tatouage n'est plus reconnu comme méthode d'identification pour les voyages en UE depuis 2011
If your dog's rabies vaccination is expired, even by just one day, border authorities can legally refuse your pet entry. In the worst case, your dog will be placed in quarantine at your expense (up to 3 months in certain countries) or returned to its country of origin. Check the expiration date of the vaccine at least one month before your trip to allow time for a booster if necessary. Please note: after a late booster (outside the deadline), some countries consider this to be a primary vaccination and impose a new deadline of 21 days.
Legal references
Here are the legal texts which govern the identification and travel documents of pets:
- Rural Code — article L212-10: obligation of identification for all domestic carnivores over 4 months old
- Rural Code — article L214-8: vaccination obligation for animals traveling outside the national territory
- EU Regulation 576/2013: animal health conditions for non-commercial movements of pets within the EU (passport, rabies vaccination, microchip)
- EU Regulation 577/2013: models of identification documents (passport, certificate health)
- Decree of August 1, 2012: conditions for issuing the European passport for pets in France
Travel documents: the complete checklist
Consult our regulation guide to find out the rules in France. If you are going abroad, our international travel guide details the formalities country by country. And don't forget our preparation checklist so you don't forget anything before departure.
Frequently asked questions
Is the tattoo still valid as identification?
In France, a tattoo made before July 3, 2011 and still legible is accepted as valid identification for national procedures. However, to travel within the European Union, only the electronic chip has been recognized since EU Regulation 576/2013. If your dog only has one tattoo, have it chipped before traveling abroad. The two identifications can coexist.
How long before the trip should you apply for the passport?
The European passport is issued immediately by your veterinarian, during the consultation. There is no manufacturing lead time. On the other hand, if your dog has never been vaccinated against rabies, it will take 21 days after the primary vaccination before you can travel (the vaccine is only considered effective after this period). Make an appointment at least one month before your departure to have peace of mind.
What should I do if my dog's chip is no longer readable?
It's rare but possible: the chip can migrate under the skin and become difficult to read, or malfunction. Your veterinarian can attempt a reading with a more powerful reader. If the chip is permanently unreadable, it will implant a new chip without removing the old one (which is inert and harmless). The new number will be recorded in I-CAD with mention of the old one. Cost: around €60-80 for a new chip. Have the chip readability checked before each trip.
Can you travel with a puppy who does not yet have a passport?
In France, yes, provided that the puppy is identified (chip required from 4 months). For travel to the EU, a puppy under 12 weeks of age cannot be vaccinated against rabies and therefore cannot obtain a valid passport for travel. Between 12 and 16 weeks, he can be vaccinated but the 21-day deadline applies. In practice, wait until your puppy is at least 15 weeks and 21 days old from vaccination before traveling outside France. Some EU countries allow the entry of unvaccinated puppies with a sworn declaration from the owner and a veterinary certificate.
