Georgia to France follows the EU unlisted country process, the same framework that applies to any non-listed country sending pets into the EU. Microchip first, then vaccination, then FAVN titre test after 30 days, then a 90-day wait from …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) - must precede all vaccinations
Responsible: Georgian vet
First step. Chip before any rabies vaccination.
2
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Georgian vet
After microchipping. Wait at least 30 days before blood draw for titre test.
3
FAVN titre test blood draw at EU-approved laboratory
Responsible: Georgian vet + EU-approved laboratory
At least 30 days after vaccination. Ship sample internationally to an EU-approved laboratory. Allow 2-4 weeks for results.
4
90-day wait from the date of successful titre test result
Responsible: N/A
Mandatory. Cannot be shortened. The 90-day clock starts from the blood draw date.
5
Book cargo from Tbilisi to France
Responsible: Owner or agent
During the 90-day wait. Turkish Airlines via IST to CDG is the most direct option. Confirm live animal acceptance.
6
EU-format health certificate from NFA-authorised vet
Responsible: NFA-authorised vet + NFA
Within 10 days of travel to France.
7
Travel to France
Responsible: Airline + owner
Travel day. Tbilisi to Paris CDG typically 5-7 hours via Istanbul.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter France
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit). Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days since primary vaccination before titre test blood draw. Full vaccination records required.
Rabies titre test
Required. Georgia is an unlisted country for EU pet import. FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. A 90-day wait from the date of the successful blood draw result must pass before entry into France (and the EU). Source: EU Regulation 2020/692.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals in France.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU-format non-commercial health certificate from NFA-authorised vet, endorsed by NFA. Valid for 10 days as entry document.
Export permit (Georgia)
No formal export permit required for personal companion pets from Georgia.
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory (blood draw plus processing): GEL 300-700 (approximately EUR 100-200) plus international sample shipping
EU health certificate from NFA-authorised vet: GEL 100-300 (approximately EUR 30-80)
Cargo Tbilisi to France (via Istanbul or other hub): EUR 400-1,500 depending on carrier and crate size
IATA travel crate: EUR 80-300
Pet transport agent (recommended): EUR 400-1,000
Total typical range: EUR 700-3,000 across a 5-7 month preparation period
Critical points to read before you book
The 90-day wait after a successful titre test is a hard legal minimum under EU regulations. It cannot be shortened. The clock runs from the blood draw date, not the date results are received.
Microchip before vaccination. The sequence matters. Chipping after vaccination invalidates the vaccination for EU entry purposes and you restart.
The FAVN test must go to an EU-approved laboratory. Most are in Europe or North America. International sample shipping requires correct preparation. Confirm your vet knows the process.
Georgia is not EU-listed. Georgia's EU Association Agreement and candidate status do not change pet import classifications. The full unlisted process applies.
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.
TURKISH
Turkish Airlines
Tbilisi (TBS) to Istanbul (IST), then IST to Paris CDG. Turkish Airlines Cargo handles live animals. IST is the primary transit hub for Caucasus-to-Europe pet cargo.
Cargo Only
AIR FRANCE
Air France
Connections from Tbilisi via Istanbul or another hub to Paris CDG. Air France Cargo handles live animal freight from CDG. Paris CDG is France's primary pet cargo entry point.
Cargo Only
GEORGIAN
Georgian Airways
Georgian carrier operating TBS to European destinations. Limited network. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance on specific routes before booking.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt (FRA) connections. From FRA, onward cargo connections to French cities. Frankfurt Animal Lounge for live animal transit care.
Cargo Only
The unlisted country process in plain terms
France, like all EU member states, applies EU Regulation 2020/692 to incoming pets from non-EU countries. Countries that have undergone a formal equivalence assessment and meet EU standards are on the listed country register. Georgia is not on this register.
This means any dog or cat moving from Georgia to France must satisfy the full unlisted requirements. The microchip must be implanted first, before any rabies vaccination. The vaccination must be given and at least 30 days must pass before the blood is drawn for the FAVN titre test. The test result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. Then a mandatory 90-day wait must pass from the blood draw date before your pet may enter France.
There is no mechanism to speed this up. The 90-day wait is set in EU law and exists to verify that the immune response is established. No French authority has discretion to waive it.
Paris CDG as the French entry point
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is France’s primary international airport for pet cargo. It handles a large volume of live animal imports and has dedicated cargo facilities for this traffic. French border inspection takes place at CDG on arrival, and for pets with correct documentation this is a routine administrative check.
From Tbilisi, the most practical routing is Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST) to CDG. Turkish Airlines Cargo is familiar with this corridor and IST is one of the main hubs for live animal freight from the Caucasus region. Air France connections are another option, though these typically also involve a hub stop.
If your French destination is not Paris, an onward domestic connection from CDG or an alternative entry via Lyon (LYS) or Marseille (MRS) may reduce total transit time. Confirm cargo routing with your agent before booking.
FAQ
Common questions about Georgia to France pet transport
DGAL stands for Direction générale de l’alimentation, the French government’s food safety and animal health directorate within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. It is the competent authority that oversees animal import rules in France. At CDG, SIVEP (border inspection posts) operates under DGAL oversight. For your pet, DGAL compliance means the EU-format health certificate from your Georgian vet and NFA endorsement are the documents that need to be correct.
Cabin pet carriage depends on the airline and route. Turkish Airlines permits small pets in the cabin on some routes, subject to weight limits (usually up to 8 kg including carrier). Check directly with the airline for the TBS-IST-CDG routing. For larger pets, cargo is the only option regardless of airline.
France follows EU-wide pet import rules under Regulation 2020/692. There are no France-specific additional requirements for pets entering from Georgia, beyond the standard EU unlisted process. The EU health certificate endorsed by the NFA is the key document, alongside the titre test result, vaccination record, and microchip evidence.