Pet Transport France to UK: Driving, Ferries and the Tapeworm Window
Taking your dog or cat from France to United Kingdom comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Plan on roughly 2-6 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from France to United Kingdom
typically takes around 2-6 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The France to United Kingdom pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm EU pet passport is valid: microchip pre-dates rabies vaccination, vaccination current
Responsible: Vet
Verify now.
2
Book Eurotunnel Le Shuttle or ferry crossing
Responsible: Owner
Book ahead for popular dates and peak season.
3
For dogs: vet appointment for tapeworm treatment
Responsible: Vet in France
24 to 120 hours before scheduled arrival in Great Britain
4
Travel to UK via chosen crossing
Responsible: Owner
On travel date.
5
Pet checking at the UK border / approved route
Responsible: Carrier pet check / APHA
On arrival. Documents and microchip verified. Pet released.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter United Kingdom
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days must have passed since the primary vaccination course before entering Great Britain.
Quarantine
Not required with correct documentation. Penalty quarantine up to 120 days for non-compliant arrivals.
Import permit
No import permit. The EU pet passport (from France) serves as the travel document for UK entry.
Health certificate
EU pet passport accepted from France. For dogs, tapeworm treatment must be recorded by a vet 24-120 hours before arrival in Great Britain.
Export permit (France)
No export permit required from France for cats and dogs.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle pet fee: approximately £22 to £45 per pet each way, plus the vehicle booking
Ferry crossing: £50 to £180 depending on company and route, plus pet fee
Tapeworm treatment (dogs): EUR 30 to EUR 80
Vet appointment if passport needs updating: EUR 50 to EUR 150
Air cargo if flying (rarely needed): EUR 400 to EUR 1,000
Total typical range (driving): £100 to £350
Critical points to read before you book
Tapeworm treatment for dogs has a strict 24 to 120 hour window before arrival in Great Britain. Too early or too late means non-compliant documentation and potential penalty quarantine. Cats and ferrets do not need it.
Foot passengers cannot bring pets through the Eurotunnel. Only vehicles carry animals. If travelling without a car, use a ferry that accepts foot passengers with pets, or arrange a pet transport service.
The EU pet passport must be issued in an EU country (France qualifies) and be complete and valid. A GB-issued pet passport is not valid for this purpose; if you have one, you will need an EU AHC or French passport instead.
Microchip must pre-date the rabies vaccination, and at least 21 days must have passed since the primary vaccination course.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
EUROTUNNEL LE
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
Most popular pet crossing. Pets stay in the car throughout the 35-minute crossing from Calais to Folkestone. Foot passengers cannot bring pets.
Cargo Only
BRITTANY
Brittany Ferries
Pet-friendly cabins and kennels on longer crossings. Routes from various French ports to the UK.
Cargo Only
DFDS / P&O
DFDS / P&O Ferries
Calais or Dunkirk to Dover. Pets stay in the car on short crossings.
Cargo Only
AIR FRANCE
Air France
Paris to UK air cargo option. More expensive than driving; rarely the best choice for this short route.
Cargo Only
United Kingdom entry requirements at a glance
The path into United Kingdom is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Getting the details right
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
FAQ
Common questions about France to United Kingdom pet transport
Yes. An EU pet passport issued in France (or any EU country) is accepted for entry into Great Britain, provided it is valid and complete: a microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, a current rabies vaccination with at least 21 days passed since the primary course, and for dogs, the tapeworm treatment recorded within 24-120 hours of arrival. Note that a GB-issued pet passport is not valid for this purpose post-Brexit.
No. The Eurotunnel Le Shuttle only carries pets that are travelling in a vehicle. Foot passengers cannot bring pets through the tunnel. If you do not have a car, your options are a ferry that accepts foot passengers with pets (check the specific company’s policy), the Eurostar (which does not carry pets except assistance dogs), or arranging a pet transport service to carry the animal across.
No. Tapeworm (echinococcus) treatment is required for dogs only. Cats and ferrets are exempt. Your cat needs a valid EU pet passport with a microchip and current rabies vaccination, but no tapeworm treatment and no additional steps at the UK border.
By road, very little. The Eurotunnel pet fee is around £22 to £45 per pet each way (on top of your vehicle booking), or a ferry crossing is £50 to £180 plus a pet fee. The tapeworm treatment for dogs adds EUR 30 to EUR 80. Total cost for driving is typically £100 to £350. Flying is possible via Air France cargo but is far more expensive and rarely worth it for this short route.
Airline guides
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
Brittany Ferries
DFDS / P&O Ferries
Air France
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.