Travelling Through France with Your Dog? It Could Cost Your Pet Its Life
Every year, thousands of pet owners relocate from Northern Europe to Spain — and most of them assume that if their dog is welcome at the destination, the journey will be straightforward. It isn't. France has some of the strictest dog laws in Europe, and they apply to every person who sets foot on French soil — including travellers simply passing through.
At 5 Star Pet Transport, we've seen what happens when owners discover this too late. This post explains exactly what the French rules mean for your dog, and what we recommend instead.
France Divides Dogs Into Two Categories
Under French law on chiens dangereux (dangerous dogs), all dogs fall into one of two legal categories — and the consequences of being in the wrong one are severe.
Category 1 — Total ban Dogs that resemble certain types but lack an officially recognised French pedigree (LOF stamboom) fall here automatically. This includes Pitbull-types, Mastiffs/Boerboels, and Tosas. These dogs are completely prohibited from French territory — not as residents, not as visitors, and not in transit. If a gendarme spots your dog and judges it to match the profile, it can be confiscated on the spot. French law then allows a judge to order euthanasia.
Category 2 — Permitted, but nearly impossible for travellers American Staffordshire Terriers with an official LOF pedigree, Rottweilers, and LOF-registered Tosas fall here. They're technically allowed, but only with a permis de détention — a permit issued by a French mayor, requiring a vet-certified behavioural assessment, a seven-hour aptitude course, proof of vaccination and microchip, and liability insurance. In practice, this permit is only accessible to French residents. As a traveller, you cannot obtain it.
"But I'm Just Driving Through"
This is the most dangerous misconception we encounter. The moment you cross into France, French law applies in full. There are no exemptions for transit passengers, no grace periods, no "destination country" logic. French gendarmerie carry out regular checks at border crossings and along motorways, and they assess dogs based on appearance and type — not temperament, not behaviour, and not your paperwork from another country.
A Stafford without a French LOF pedigree is automatically treated as Category 1 — even if it's the most gentle dog in the world. Mixed breeds and lookalikes fall under the same rules.
What We Recommend
The solution is simple: don't go through France. Here are the routes we work with for clients relocating to Spain:
Direct ferry from Northern Europe to Spain Departures from Zeebrugge and Rotterdam serve Bilbao and Santander. Crossings take around 24 hours, but you arrive in Spain without touching French soil. Most ferry companies allow dogs, typically in kennels or pet-friendly cabins — book well in advance, especially in summer, as capacity is limited.
Via Germany, Switzerland, and Italy A longer overland alternative goes through Germany and Switzerland into Northern Italy, with onward ferry connections to Barcelona or Valencia. This adds time and fuel cost, but it's a safe and fully legal route for dogs that cannot enter France.
In both cases, we manage the logistics: documentation, route planning, timing, and your pet's comfort throughout the journey.
The Bottom Line
French law does not care about your dog's personality or your destination. One stop, one check, one wrong judgement call on a dog's appearance — and the outcome can be irreversible. We've seen the anxiety this causes families mid-relocation, and it's entirely avoidable with the right planning.
If you're relocating to Spain (or anywhere in Southern Europe) and you're not certain whether your dog can legally transit France, talk to us before you book anything. We'll assess your dog's breed classification, map the right route, and handle the paperwork so you and your pet arrive together — safely.
📩 Contact 5 Star Pet Transport at 5starpettransport.com to plan your pet's relocation.
