Moving abroad from France with your cat

Cabin, hold or cargo: how your cat will fly

The mode depends on the weight of the cat with its bag, on the airline and on the destination. The rules below are Air France's, as read on its official page on 19 October 2026; every airline sets its own.

A cat must be at least 15 weeks old to fly on an Air France international flight. Other airlines use other bag sizes: Air Canada accepts only soft-sided bags of up to 40 × 43 × 20 cm in the cabin. We check the exact bag dimensions with the airline that actually operates the flight, codeshares included.

Destinations where the cabin is not an option

• Great Britain: by air, a cat travels as cargo unless you charter a private plane. See France ⇄ United Kingdom.
• Dubai: Emirates accepts no animals in the cabin and requires cargo for any itinerary ending in Dubai; Air France accepts only cargo to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
• Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand: the authorities require travel as manifested cargo.

How a cargo shipment works is explained on our pet air cargo page, and the three modes are compared in our guide to flying with a cat.

Persians, Exotics, Himalayans: flat-faced cats

Cats with a flattened face breathe less easily and handle heat poorly. Air France counts them among its "snub-nosed" animals: for cats, its list names the Birman, the Exotic Shorthair, the Himalayan and the Persian.

• Hold: not allowed for these cats on flights operated by Air France.
• Cabin: possible within the 8 kg limit, after a vet consultation, which the airline recommends.
• Cargo: Air France's page says cargo remains possible for Persian or Birman cats.
• Other airlines: Delta does not carry any snub-nosed cat, or its mixes, on its flights.
• Crate: IATA rules require a crate 10% larger for these breeds.

For these cats we recommend a direct flight at a cool time of day, avoiding summer where possible.

Destinations with strict rules for cats

Some countries treat France as a country where rabies is not entirely absent and expect months of preparation for a cat just as for a dog. A few markers from the authorities' own sites:

By contrast, the United States requires no proof of rabies vaccination for a cat, and Canada accepts the EU pet passport as the vaccination certificate if it contains every required detail. See France ⇄ United States and France ⇄ Canada. Each strict destination also has its own guide: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

Bengals, Savannahs and other hybrid cats

Cats bred from a wild species, or with a wild ancestor a few generations back, get close scrutiny abroad:

• Australia: Savannah, Safari and Chausie cats are not admitted, and Bengals have not been admitted since 1 March 2026.
• Hong Kong: Savannahs are excluded; a Bengal must be proven to be at least fifth generation.
• Singapore: Bengal or Savannah crosses below the fifth generation are banned.
• United Arab Emirates: Bengals and Servals need a fifth-generation pedigree certificate.

Think about the return trip too. French customs and the agriculture ministry state that a hybrid cat counts as a domestic cat in France only if it is registered with the LOOF (the French feline studbook); without a pedigree or birth certificate, it needs an import permit obtained in advance to enter France. Always travel with your cat's pedigree.

The Netherlands: hairless and fold-eared cats banned

Since 1 January 2026, the Netherlands has banned keeping a hairless cat or a cat with folded ears. The Dutch authority (RVO) names the Scottish Fold, Highland Fold, Foldex, Sphynx, Bambino Sphynx and Peterbald. The ban also applies to temporary stays, holidays included.

A cat arriving from abroad must be able to prove it was born and microchipped before 1 January 2026. The announced fines are €1,500 for keeping such a cat and €500 for exhibiting one. Before moving to the Netherlands with a Sphynx or a Scottish Fold, gather its birth record and the date its chip was implanted, and let us check its situation. See also France ⇄ Netherlands.

Getting your cat ready: stress and carrier training

A cat that meets its carrier on the morning of departure experiences the trip as an ordeal. IATA recommends getting the animal used to its bag or crate weeks, or even months, in advance. Our advice:

• Leave the bag open in a room the cat uses, with a piece of fabric that smells of it; put treats inside and let the cat go in on its own.
• Close it gradually, for a few minutes at first, then longer, and take short car trips.
• In the cabin, the cat stays in its bag for the whole flight: IATA asks you not to take it out or open the bag. A soft bag can sag under the seat; check that it keeps its shape and ventilation.
• Line the bag or crate with an absorbent pad.
• No calming drugs without your vet. IATA and the airlines discourage sedation in flight, and some airlines may refuse a sedated animal.

For a cat travelling in the hold or as cargo, the crate is prepared the same way; its technical requirements are on our airline pet crates page.

Example: a 5 kg cat from Paris to Montreal, in the cabin

1. Check the flight and the bag when booking

   Operating airline, bag dimensions, a cabin place for the animal; no Business cabin on an Air France intercontinental flight.

2. Rabies vaccination and passport before departure

   For a cat over 3 months old coming from France, Canada asks for a valid rabies vaccination certificate; the EU pet passport is accepted if it contains every required detail.

3. Carrier training several weeks ahead

   Bag left open at home, then closed for a few minutes, then short trips.

4. Reconfirm the pet on the flight at least 48 h ahead

   IATA advises reconfirming the animal's booking at least 48 hours before departure.

5. Arrival

   Canadian border officers check the documents and may refer the animal to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Frequently asked questions

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