After submitting an application for a license to practice, the applicant must appear before the Veterinary College, which will issue an opinion to the Ministry of Health and Social Security.
Every veterinarian is required to provide the Veterinary College with all information regarding their professional status prior to commencing their professional practice.
In accordance with the code of ethics of the veterinary profession, any veterinarian established in Luxembourg is required to register for the on-call service as soon as he is established in Luxembourg. The integration into the guard service will take place within three months after the start of the fiscal year.
The Veterinary College may exempt from participation in the service any veterinarian who invokes health reasons (medical certificate required) or any other duly substantiated reason.
A veterinarian who participates in the guard service is entitled to a lump-sum allowance for each childcare service provided. This compensation is borne by the State budget and cannot exceed the amount of 300 euros.
Payment of annual membership fees to the Veterinary College
The Veterinary College covers the expenses necessary for its operation, other than those referred to in the following article, by a contribution payable by all persons exercising in the country a profession for which a veterinary diploma is required, with the exception, however, of veterinary doctors who, established in another Member State of the European Union, provide only services in Luxembourg.
The details of contributions are governed by articles 98 to 100 of the code of ethics of the veterinary profession.
All veterinary doctors have the obligation to inform the Veterinary College, by post, email, or their dashboard, of any change in their professional situation, in particular:
The change of one's professional and/or private address
His suspension from practising the profession of veterinary medicine, whether temporary or permanent, with an indication of reason
His change of assignment
The related requests must reach the secretariat of the Veterinary College no later than the month following the event in question.
Consult standard search engines or via the tab Emergencies if necessary.
How do I travel with my animal?
The European pet passport is the official certificate allowing you to travel with your pet within the European Union, including Luxembourg. It must be issued by an authorized veterinarian and contains:
Pet Identification (Microchip)
Valid rabies vaccination
Owner and Veterinarian Contact Information
If you are traveling to a third country, an official health certificate may be required, which must be validated by the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration: https://ma.gouvernement.lu/fr/administrations/alva.html
How do I resolve a dispute with a veterinarian?
The Veterinary College strongly advises anyone who has a dispute with a veterinarian to attempt to resolve it by conducting a constructive dialogue between the parties. If a dialogue between the parties does not lead to the resolution of the dispute, a request for advice from the Veterinary College is possible under the following conditions:
If a dialogue between parties does not lead to a resolution of the conflict, a request for advice or mediation may be considered under the following conditions:
The request must be made in writing (letter or email) to the secretariat of the Veterinary College.
The request must be dated, include the full name and postal address of its author and specify the question posed to the Veterinary College.
If a dispute between the parties should lead to the desire of a party to file a complaint against a veterinarian before the Veterinary College, this complaint is admissible under the following conditions:
The complaint must be submitted in writing (letter or email) to the secretariat of the Veterinary College.
The complaint must be dated and include the full name and postal address of both the author and the recipient.
The complaint must set out its subject matter.
The written document must unequivocally state the author's intention to file a complaint.
A complaint concerning fees or financial aspects does not fall under the remit of the Veterinary College and is therefore inadmissible.
How do I get a new legitimation card in case of theft or loss?
In case of theft: A new request for a legitimation card must be sent to the secretariat of the Veterinary College using the respective form, accompanied by 2 identity photos and a declaration of theft.
In case of loss: A new request for a legitimation card must be sent to the secretariat of the Veterinary College using the respective form, accompanied by 2 identity photos, a declaration of loss and proof of payment of €10.
How to name a professional residence?
The name of the professional practice must be clear and not misleading.
Any name other than that of the veterinarian(s) practicing there is subject to prior approval by the Veterinary College. The application must be submitted via the contact form.
A name for a professional practice that refers to a geographical location is prohibited.
How to submit an application for the designation "veterinary clinic"?
The application for the designation "veterinary clinic" must be submitted in writing to the Minister of Health and Social Security, in compliance with the requirements defined by the draft Grand-Ducal regulation concerning the conditions for opening a veterinary clinic.
The file will then be submitted to the Veterinary College for its opinion.
Veterinary guard service
A veterinarian participating in the guard service is entitled to a flat-rate allowance per on-call shift performed. This allowance is covered by the State budget and cannot exceed 300 euros.
In practice, the Ministry of Health and Social Security will process the compensation for on-call services at the end of each on-call quarter (for January-February-March, compensation will take place in April).
To ensure timely payment of due amounts, it is essential that the Veterinary College has the duly completed compensation form.
Where can I order my medication record books?
The "Veterinary Treatment and Medication Record Book" must be ordered from the respective veterinary associations, namely LAK and LGP.
The "Narcotics Prescription Book" must be ordered from the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration.
Upon receipt of payment, the books will be sent to you by post.
How to apply for authorization to use the title of "Doctor"
The profession of veterinarian can be practiced in Luxembourg without having to bear the academic title of "Doctor" or "Dr."
The use of the prefix "Dr." is reserved for holders of a diploma that confers the academic title of Doctor/PhD and is awarded following the successful defense of a doctoral thesis. This diploma must be aligned with Level 8 of the Luxembourg Qualifications Framework (CLQ).
If you wish to use this title, you must register your qualification title in the register of titles.
You must then send a copy of the ministerial decree of registration to the Veterinary College as well as to the Ministry of Health and Social Security, which updates the data in the professional register.
How do I obtain the authorization of an academic function/a legitimate training title?
Pursuant to Article 72, 17° of the Law of 28 October 2016 on the recognition of professional qualifications, amending Article 26 of the Law of 29 April 1983 concerning the exercise of the professions of physician, dental practitioner, and veterinarian,
«Art. 26. (1) La personne autorisée à exercer la médecine vétérinaire au Luxembourg porte le titre de médecin-vétérinaire.
(2) Le médecin-vétérinaire peut également être autorisé par le ministre à faire usage de son titre licite de formation tel que visé à l’article 21, point b) et éventuellement de son abréviation dans la langue de l’Etat où il a acquis sa formation, suivi des nom et lieu de l’établissement ou du jury qui l’a délivré. Toutefois au cas où ce titre peut être confondu avec un titre exigeant une formation supplémentaire non acquise par le bénéficiaire, ce dernier ne pourra utiliser son titre de formation que dans une formule appropriée à indiquer par le ministre.
A Grand-Ducal regulation may specify the detailed rules for the application of this provision.
(3) Le médecin-vétérinaire peut aussi être autorisé par le Collège vétérinaire à faire usage d’une fonction académique ou d’un titre licite de formation autre que celui visé au paragraphe 2 selon la formulation intégrale qui lui a été conféré par une université ou une autre autorité compétente, et qui est reconnu par les autorités compétentes du pays où il a été délivré. Le Collège vétérinaire peut soumettre cette autorisation au paiement préalable d’une taxe. Le montant de cette taxe est fixé annuellement par le Collège vétérinaire, étant entendu qu’il se situe entre 75 et 150 euros.»
Do I have to do continuing education as a veterinarian?
Every veterinary doctor must maintain and improve his professional competence, which is ensured by continuing education: minimum 20 hours per year, or even 60 hours/3 years. The related certificates should be sent to the Veterinary College, electronically to: