Tattoo: what are the rules?

Verified 13 November 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

A tattoo is a coloring substance or preparation intended, by skin break-in, to create a mark on the superficial parts of the human body. This practice is regulated to avoid health risks. It is advisable to discuss before with the professional and your attending physician. If you are a minor, the consent of the parent or guardian is required. The tattoo artist must be trained, declare his activity to theARS: titleContent and inform its client of the risks. You can report any serious or non-serious side effects.

It is possible to get a tattoo at any age.

However, if you are a minor, you mustwritten agreement your parent or guardian.

FYI  

The tattoo artist must be able, for 3 years, to present proof of this consent to the control authorities.

The professional who performs the tattoo must respect the following rules:

  • Have undergone initial training with practical training
  • Declare your activity to the Director General of theARS: titleContent
  • Inform you before the tattoo is made the risks to which you are exposed and the precautions to be respected after this realization. This information is displayed visibly in the premises where these techniques are practiced and is given to you in writing.

FYI  

If you are a minor, this information is also shared with your parent or guardian before let him give his consent.

The content of the information that the professional must deliver orally to you includes:

  • The irreversible nature of tattoos involving a permanent body modification
  • The possibly painful nature of the acts
  • The risks of infections
  • Allergic risks, especially related to tattoo inks
  • The search for contraindications to the gesture related to the field or treatments in progress
  • The healing time adapted to the technique that was implemented and the scarring risks
  • Precautions to be observed after carrying out the techniques, in particular to allow rapid healing.

Please note

These risks and information given to the customer are detailed by the Ministry of Health.

The professional must perform the tattoo exclusively in a room dedicated to this operation.

This room must be cleaned by decontamination every day. Between each customer, all surfaces used are cleaned and disinfected.

The professional should remove the jewelry before hand disinfection and wear disposable gloves. The gloves are changed between 2 clients, and, at least, every 2 hours during the same intervention.

He must prepare the area to tattoo using an antiseptic.

A sterilization protocol for the material must be followed.

You are encouraged to report any adverse effects related to the tattoo :

  • To a health professional
  • Or directly on the www.signalement-sante.gouv.fr portal.

The adverse reaction may consist of a harmful and unwanted reaction (examples: reaction around the tattoo area, allergy, adverse health consequences beyond the tattooed area).

Health reporting

Once on this portal, you specify that you are an individual and then you click on the category “ another product ».

FYI  

Products for tattoos temporary (henna, ink, ...) are to be reported in the box Cosmetic.

Another box is entitled ‘ tattoo product ».

A form template is available. It can help you make this report.

Then, for example, authorities can:

  • Add a pictogram on the package or a warning on the package leaflet
  • Recall batches
  • Withdraw the product concerned from the market.