Adopting a Cat in Morocco and Bringing It to France (2026 Guide)
Many families live between Morocco and France and wonder whether they can adopt here, then bring their companion home. The answer is yes, it is common and well regulated, as long as you start early. Since Morocco is not an EU country, there are a few mandatory steps and, above all, a timeline to respect. Here, simply, is what to know before you begin.
Health rules can change. This guide describes the general procedure in 2026; always confirm the current requirements with your vet, with ONSSA in Morocco, and with official French sources (service-public.fr) before arranging the trip.
The principle: plan ahead, do not improvise
The most common mistake is trying to leave too soon. Between the first vet visit and travel day, it often takes four to five months. These steps are not paperwork for its own sake: they make sure your animal is protected against rabies and poses no risk on arrival. Treat them as a marked path, walked in order.
The steps, in order
1. The microchip
The animal must first be identified with an ISO-standard microchip (11784/11785). This is the very first step, because it must be done before the rabies vaccine. If the vaccine is given before the chip, it will not be recognized and everything starts over.
2. The rabies vaccine
Once the chip is in, the vet vaccinates the animal against rabies. The vaccine is only valid after 21 days. The animal must be at least 12 weeks old to be vaccinated, which is why a kitten or puppy cannot travel right away.
3. The rabies titer test
This is the step specific to non-EU countries like Morocco. A blood sample, taken at least 30 days after the vaccine, is sent to an EU-approved laboratory to confirm the animal produced enough antibodies (at least 0.5 IU/ml). The vet handles the shipping; the test has a cost, which your vet will tell you.
4. The 3-month waiting period
This is the point that surprises people most. After a successful blood sample, you must wait 3 months before the animal can enter the EU. The wait counts from the date of the blood sample, not the result. It sets the earliest possible departure date.
5. The health certificate
Just before travel, an authorized vet issues an EU health certificate, usually within the 10 days before entry. In Morocco it is endorsed by the competent authority (ONSSA). Keep the vaccination record, the titer result, and this certificate with you.
6. Entry into France
On arrival, you go through a designated travellers' point of entry and sign a declaration that the movement is non-commercial. The non-commercial movement rule applies for up to 5 animals.
A concrete timeline
To make it clear, here is an example sequence:
- Day 0: microchip + rabies vaccine
- Day 30 or later: blood sample for the titer test
- Compliant result: the 3-month countdown starts from the sample date
- 3 months later: the animal can travel
- Within 10 days before departure: health certificate
So, in total, count on around four to five months. If you adopt intending to leave, start the steps as soon as you adopt.
Transport on the day
Every airline has its own rules: cabin for small sizes, hold for larger ones, carrier dimensions, seats to request early. Ask early, since the number of animals allowed in the cabin per flight is limited. A comfortable carrier the animal got used to before departure makes all the difference for a calm trip.
Adopting with the move in mind
Good news: several Moroccan shelters are used to international adoptions and know this path well. The large SARA shelter near Agadir, for example, regularly places animals abroad. Tell the shelter clearly from the start: they can guide you and, sometimes, may have already begun some of the steps.
Before choosing your future companion, take a moment to check that it fits your life, here and there. Our matching tool helps in a few questions.
In short
Bringing an animal adopted in Morocco to France is entirely possible: microchip, vaccine, titer test, 3-month wait, health certificate. Nothing complicated if you respect the order and the calendar. The real secret is to plan ahead.
Looking for where to adopt first? See our guides for adopting in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir, and Fez, or our complete guide to adopting in Morocco.
