Great Britain → France

Taking your dog from the UK to France in 2026

France is the most practical first EU entry point for many owners because you can keep a dog with you in a car or use a booked ferry facility. The legal document is still an AHC, not a GB-issued pet passport.

Rules and airline policies last reviewed 21 August 2026

Route alert

France does not require tapeworm treatment on entry from Great Britain, but most dogs need it before the return to Great Britain. The treatment must be recorded 24 to 120 hours before UK arrival.

Outbound document: Animal Health Certificate
France tapeworm: Not required for entry
Return tapeworm: Dogs: 24–120 hours before GB arrival
Drive option: LeShuttle or approved ferry

In the right order

Your step-by-step checklist

1
At least a month before if starting
Confirm microchip and rabies
The microchip must pre-date the rabies vaccination used for travel. A primary vaccination needs at least 21 full days before travel.
2
Within 10 days before France entry
Get the AHC
Use an Official Veterinarian and check that France is the entry destination. Carry the original document.
3
As early as possible
Book the crossing and pet
For LeShuttle, add every pet and plan for Pet Reception. On ferries, choose vehicle, kennel, Pet Den or pet cabin where offered.
4
Travel day
Cross the border
Allow extra check-in time for the microchip and document check. Keep the AHC and vaccination evidence accessible, not in buried luggage.
5
1–5 days before GB arrival
Book a French vet for the return
The vet must record the praziquantel-equivalent product, exact date and time, stamp and signature in the AHC.

Choose the journey

Transport options

Fast car crossing

LeShuttle

Pets remain with you in the vehicle; all pets check in at Pet Reception.

More facility choices

Dover–Calais or Newhaven–Dieppe ferry

DFDS and Irish Ferries publish vehicle, kennel, Pet Den or cabin options by route and ship.

Eligible small pets

Flight to France

Some continental airlines accept small pets outbound from Great Britain, but a flight back into Great Britain requires cargo for an ordinary pet.

Route-aware comparison

Airline pet policies

The operating carrier, direction, aircraft and available pet space all matter. “Cabin allowed” never means every flight.

Airline	Cabin	Larger pets	Route warning
Air France ↗	Cats and dogs up to 8 kg including carrier may be eligible for the cabin, subject to route and availability.	More than 8 kg and up to 75 kg including carrier travels in the hold when accepted.	Useful for eligible US/Great Britain departures to France or onward EU travel. UK-bound pets are governed by the UK's cargo-only air-entry rule.
KLM ↗	One cat or dog in Economy, or Business within Europe; pet plus carrier up to 8 kg and 46 × 28 × 24 cm.	Eligible pets can travel in the hold up to 75 kg combined, subject to aircraft, breed and connection restrictions.	Useful for eligible US→EU and departures from Great Britain. KLM does not accept pets into the UK as passenger cabin/hold baggage.
Lufthansa ↗	Small cats and dogs up to 8 kg including a soft carrier; maximum carrier size 55 × 40 × 23 cm.	Larger eligible animals may travel in the air-conditioned hold, with separate crate and breed rules.	A practical option for eligible trips to Germany and connections, but always check the operating carrier on codeshares.
British Airways ↗	Domestic pets are not carried in the cabin on any route; recognised assistance dogs follow a separate process.	Pets travel in the hold through PetAir UK when leaving the UK or IAG Cargo when entering the UK.	Treat this as a managed cargo product, not passenger checked baggage.
Ryanair ↗	Does not carry pets.	No hold or cargo pet product for ordinary pets.	Only qualifying guide/assistance dogs are accepted on certain routes.
easyJet ↗	Pets and emotional-support animals are not accepted.	No hold pet product for ordinary pets.	Recognised registered guide and assistance dogs are the exception on permitted routes.

Plain-English answers

Frequently asked questions

Does my dog need tapeworm treatment to enter France?

No, not under the standard Great Britain-to-France pet route. The treatment is normally needed for the return to Great Britain.

Can I take a dog on Eurostar?

Ordinary pets are not carried on Eurostar passenger services. LeShuttle is the vehicle service used by pet owners.

Can a foot passenger take a dog on the ferry?

It depends on the route and ship. Some routes accept foot passengers only with a pre-booked kennel or pet cabin; confirm directly before booking transport to the port.

Verified, not vibes

Official sources

These rules and policies were checked on 21 August 2026. Use the links below for the final check immediately before travel.

Important: this is a researched planning guide, not veterinary or legal advice. Rules vary by animal, travel history, destination and operating carrier, and can change after publication.

Your step-by-step checklist

Confirm microchip and rabies

Get the AHC

Book the crossing and pet

Cross the border

Book a French vet for the return