Veterinarian

To practice veterinary medicine in France, you must hold the State diploma of doctor of veterinary medicine (diplôme d'État de docteur vétérinaire) and register with the Ordre national des vétérinaires. Registration is mandatory before any form of practice and must be done with the regional council of the Ordre. You must also be a national of an EU, EEA or Swiss state.

If you plan to open a veterinary practice, you need to register your business with the CFE, URSSAF or tribunal de commerce depending on your chosen legal structure. You must carry professional liability insurance. To perform certain regulated health acts such as official animal health inspections, you also need a separate habilitation sanitaire from the DDPP (Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations).

Requirements

  • State diploma: Hold the State diploma of doctor of veterinary medicine issued in France by one of the four national veterinary schools (ENVA, VetAgro Sup, Oniris, INP-ENVT) or a training qualification automatically recognized under the order of 19 July 2019.
  • Nationality: Be a French national or a citizen of a European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) Member State or Switzerland.
  • Diploma registration: Register the diploma with a regional veterinary council prior to registration with the Ordre (Veterinary Council).
  • Registration with the Ordre: Mandatory registration with the Ordre des vétérinaires of the region where the practitioner wishes to establish their professional residence.
  • Insurance: Subscribe to professional liability insurance.

Procedure

  • Training: Training lasts a minimum of seven years: two years of preparatory classes followed by five years at a national veterinary school. The curriculum includes four years of core studies (DEFV - Diplôme d'études fondamentales vétérinaires) then a fifth year of specialization. Obtaining the State diploma requires defense of a veterinary practice doctoral thesis.
  • Diploma registration: Submit to the president of the regional council of the Ordre a certified true copy of the diploma and an identity document. Free procedure.
  • Registration with the Ordre: Submit a complete file to the regional council of the Ordre including: identity document, copy of diploma, criminal record extract less than three months old, handwritten declaration of professional ethics commitment, proof of professional address. Processing time: maximum three months. Silence beyond this period = rejection.
  • EU/EEA nationals (LPS): Prior declaration to the National Council of the Ordre, renewed annually, accompanied by a certificate of legal establishment and proof of qualifications.
  • EU/EEA nationals without automatic recognition (LE): Obtain authorization to practice after passing a knowledge test at Oniris (cost: €250).

Professional Ethics and Sanctions

  • Code of ethics: Mandatory compliance with the Code of Ethics for Veterinarians (article R. 242-32 et seq. of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code), including principles of morality, integrity, dedication, medical confidentiality and professional independence.
  • Continuing education: Professional ethics obligation to update knowledge throughout the career. Failure to complete training may be sanctioned by disciplinary chambers.
  • Multiple activities: Permitted if compatible with professional independence and dignity. Prohibited to use an elected mandate or administrative function to increase clientele.
  • Professional association fee: Mandatory annual payment to the Ordre (amount varies depending on natural or legal person).
  • Sanctions: Illegal practice of animal medicine or surgery is punishable by two years' imprisonment and a fine of €30,000.