Is my pet passport still valid despite 90-day limit on stay in France
We look at the rules for British people being able to register their pets in France’s database, a necessary step to get a pet passport
In order to get a pet passport issued in France, animals must be registered on France’s pet database called I-CAD
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Reader question: I live in the UK but have a second home in France. I was able to get my dog a pet passport in France, but I read your recent article saying this should only be possible if I am staying in France for more than three months at a time. Is my French pet passport still valid?
Our reader is referring to our article Second-home owners in France to register travelling pets with I-CAD, published March 10, 2022.
In it, we explain that in order to get a pet passport in France, pets must be registered by the owner on the pet register I-CAD.
Read more:What is I-CAD? France’s pet database explained
To be registered, owners must be planning to stay in France for more than three months.
UK citizens with a second home in France are unable to remain in France for more than three months due to the 90-in-180-days rule, which came into force due to Brexit on January 1, 2021, unless they apply for a visa.
However, we have previously reported that certain vets in France have confirmed that they will issue pet passports to British citizens with second homes in France.
France’s Agriculture Ministry also previously confirmed that it is acceptable for British second-home owners to obtain a French pet passport, as long as an EU vet administers the pet’s rabies jabs.
Read more:How to get a French EU pet passport as a British second-home owner
There is no guarantee, though, that a French vet will issue second home owners a pet passport if they are not able to remain in France for more than three months at a time.
This is because the I-CAD website specifically lays out this rule
For our reader, as they managed to get their pet registered on I-CAD, their pet’s French passport will remain valid for the rest of its life, I-CAD confirmed to The Connexion on March 24.
To summarise, it may not always be possible for British citizens with second homes in France to get their pet registered on I-CAD in order to get a French pet passport, but if they do, it will remain valid for the rest of their pet’s life.
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