---
title: "Rabies vaccination (vaccination antirabique) · Treats"
description: "Rabies vaccination is the injection that protects a dog, cat or ferret against rabies; it is compulsory for categorised dogs in France and is required for an animal to move between EU member states."
url: https://www.treats.vet/en/glossary/vaccination-antirabique/
lang: en-GB
updated: 2026-11-08
---

[Glossary](https://www.treats.vet/en/glossary/)

# Rabies vaccinationvaccination antirabique

Rabies vaccination is the injection that protects a dog, cat or ferret against rabies; it is compulsory for categorised dogs in France and is required for an animal to move between EU member states.

For travel, identification must come before vaccination, according to French customs. The vaccine must be valid and given at least 21 days before departure, under Annex III of Regulation No 576/2013 as cited by customs. Customs also state that a dog, cat or ferret under 16 weeks old cannot be brought into France, even if vaccinated.

For category 1 and category 2 dogs, rabies vaccination is one of the keeper’s obligations, alongside identification, civil liability insurance and a behavioural assessment, according to the French Ministry of Agriculture. See [categorised dog](https://www.treats.vet/en/glossary/chien-categorise/).

The EU pet passport, which accompanies the animal on its movements, requires a valid rabies vaccination.

## Sources

* [French customs (DGDDI), guidance on travelling with a dog, cat or ferret](https://www.douane.gouv.fr/en/demarche/you-are-traveling-dog-cat-or-ferret)
* [French Ministry of Agriculture, categories 1 and 2 dogs and dangerous dogs](https://agriculture.gouv.fr/les-chiens-de-categorie-1-et-2-et-les-chiens-dangereux)
* [Regulation (EU) No 576/2013, Article 6 (EUR-Lex)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/576/oj/fra)

 Checked on 8 November 2026 · by [Amir Davies](https://www.treats.vet/en/about/amir-davies/)

## See also

* [Categorised dog](https://www.treats.vet/en/glossary/chien-categorise/) A categorised dog is a dog classed as category 1 or category 2 under Article L. 211-12 of the French Rural Code, and keeping one requires a keeping permit and a behavioural assessment.
* [I-CAD](https://www.treats.vet/en/glossary/i-cad/) I-CAD runs France’s national register of microchipped or tattooed dogs, cats and ferrets, on behalf of the agriculture ministry.