Veterinary Surgeon
The Veterinary Council of Ireland (the Veterinary Council) is the relevant competent authority for veterinary surgeons in Ireland. It is a legal requirement for all veterinary surgeons who wish to practise in Ireland to register first with the Veterinary Council.
Registration procedures
Please find below information on registration procedures required by the Veterinary Council for EU citizens making an application for recognition of their professional qualifications as a veterinary surgeon in order to establish as a veterinary surgeon in Ireland and obtain a licence to practise veterinary medicine in Ireland.
It is a legal requirement that veterinary surgeons must register with the Veterinary Council to obtain a licence to practise veterinary medicine before engaging in any type of veterinary work in Ireland.
Only veterinary surgeons whose names are entered and retained in the Register of Veterinary Practitioners (the Register) are entitled to practise veterinary medicine in the State.
A veterinary surgeon is required under law to register with the Veterinary Council before opening a veterinary practice in Ireland. Every registered person who practises veterinary medicine shall do so only at a premises which is registered with the Council.
The Veterinary Council maintains the Register. Further information on the Register can be found in the link below.
The Veterinary Council website also contains information on the qualifications required from EU citizens outside Ireland who wish to be entered on the Register. More information can be found in the link below.
Recognition of professional qualifications
Further information on the application of the Professional Qualifications Directive (EU Directive 2005/36/EC) the registration process, and fees applicable can be found in the links below.
Provision of Services
Please find below information on the procedures applicable for veterinary surgeons providing services but not establishing in Ireland.
A veterinary surgeon providing cross border veterinary services in Ireland is required to notify the relevant competent authority, the Veterinary Council before providing veterinary services in Ireland.
Provision of Services for short professional visits between one country and another involve Veterinary Surgeons in certain formalities. These formalities are particularly relevant to veterinary surgeons who reside near the border between two Member States such as between Ireland and Northern Ireland and have clients on the other side of the border.
Information on the registration requirements for making an application to provide services as a veterinary surgeon without establishing in Ireland, and the provision of services declaration form can be found in the links below.
Legislation
Please find links below to relevant legislation:
The Professional Qualifications Directive (EU Directive 2005/36/EC)
The Veterinary Practice Act 2005
Please also find link below to the Section on legislation on the Veterinary Council website:
Contact details
Please find link below for contact details for the Veterinary Council of Ireland.
