Bringing your dog from the UK to Normandy: the documents

Your dog must be microchipped. According to gov.uk, the microchip must be fitted before the rabies vaccination, or on the same day at the latest. If it is fitted afterwards, your dog will need to be vaccinated again.

On the French side, the Ministry of Agriculture points out that only a microchip is recognised for travel within the European Union, except for animals identified by tattoo before 3 July 2011.

Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies before travelling. Your vet needs proof that your dog is at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated.

After a first vaccination (or the last of a first course), you must wait at least 21 full days before travelling; depending on the vaccine, the wait may be longer. If your dog has a booster with no break in cover, there is no need to wait.

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you cannot use a pet passport to enter the EU, even one issued in the EU. You need an animal health certificate (AHC).

Your vet issues it, and it must be signed by an official veterinarian. Bring proof of the microchipping date and your dog’s vaccination history. One certificate can cover up to 5 pets, and you need a new one for each trip to the EU.

• Entry into the EU: within 10 days of issue (day 1 is the date of issue).
• Onward travel within the EU after entry: up to 6 months.
• Re-entry to Great Britain: up to 6 months.

You go through a travellers’ point of entry, where you may be asked for the certificate with proof of the microchip and rabies vaccination. When the certificate is issued, you also sign a declaration confirming you will not sell or rehome your dog while abroad.

For the outbound trip, gov.uk only requires tapeworm treatment for Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway. The French Ministry of Agriculture also notes that category 1 dogs without a pedigree may not be brought into France.

To return to Great Britain from France, a vet must treat your dog for tapeworm and record it in the health certificate: product name and manufacturer, date and time, stamp and signature. The product must contain praziquantel or an equivalent effective against Echinococcus multilocularis.

The treatment must be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days (120 hours) before you enter Great Britain, so plan a vet appointment in France during your stay. For a trip of 5 days or less, it can be given before you leave, within the same limits. gov.uk advises treating your dog again within 28 days of returning.

Also check that your return route is approved for pet travel. If these rules are not followed, your dog may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if travelling by sea, at your expense.

A summary to keep to hand while you plan your stay in Normandy.

Dogs welcome with no size or weight limit and no breed excluded. Your dog may stay alone in the house. One dog per stay, more on a case-by-case basis.

The house sleeps 10 people in Elbeuf, around 20 minutes from Rouen, with an enclosed garden of around 1,500 m². A supplement of €50 per dog per stay applies; simply mention your dog when you book. Remember to book the vet appointment for the journey home early.