Veterinarians and other animal health professionals

The independent practice of the profession of veterinarian requires a license from the Food and Veterinary Office The applicant shall apply in writing for the granting of a license to practice the profession, enclosing:

a)  citizenship by means of a copy of the passport;
b)  professional aptitude by means of proof of training
     in accordance with Annex V, point 5.4.2 of Directive 2005/36/EC;
c)  good repute by means of an extract from the criminal record;
d)  fulfillment of the health requirements by means of a medical
      certificate;
e)  Conclusion of professional liability insurance by means of
     proof of insurance (insurance cover of at least CHF 3 million,
     or CHF 5 million for specialist veterinarians);
f)   sufficient knowledge of German;
g)  suitable premises and facilities by means of plan copies and
     land register excerpt or rental agreement (if applicable, name of employer
)       in the case of employment).

Once the documents submitted have been checked for completeness, the license to practice the profession can be issued. The costs for this amount to CHF 250.

Veterinarians who are nationals of a contracting party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss nationals and are legally established in their home country for the independent practice of the veterinary profession are authorized to temporarily and occasionally practice their profession across borders in Liechtenstein.

The first provision of a veterinary service in Liechtenstein must be notified in writing to the Food and Veterinary Office in advance. In urgent cases, this notification may be made immediately after the service has been provided.
The notification must be renewed once a year if the service provider intends to provide services in Liechtenstein temporarily or occasionally during the year in question.

When reporting the provision of services for the first time or in the event of significant changes to the situation certified in the previously submitted documents, the service provider must submit:

a)  Authorization to practice as a veterinarian in the country of origin,
     original or copy;
b)  confirmation from the issuing authority in accordance with Annex V,
     point 5.4.2 of Directive/2005/36/EC that the authorization to
     the exercise of the profession is not prohibited, not even temporarily;
c)  certified proof of education, original or copy;
d)  citizenship by means of passport or passport copy;
e)  Proof of insurance cover against liability claims
      (liability insurance).

Once the documents submitted have been checked for completeness, the confirmation of freedom to provide services can be issued. No fees are charged for the confirmation of registration.

The veterinarians listed in the list of veterinarians have a license to practice the profession. The license entitles the license holder to prescribe, use and administer veterinary medicinal products.

The veterinarian is authorized to dispense medicinal products in accordance with the legislation on therapeutic products.
The management of a practice pharmacy for the storage and dispensing of medicinal products requires a separate operating license from the Food and Veterinary Office

This operating license is granted if the following requirements are met:

a)  proof that the person technically responsible for the establishment is suitable;
b)  the company has suitable premises and facilities;
c)  a quality assurance system is in place that corresponds to the handling and complexity of the activity; and
d)  only adequately trained personnel are employed

After a successful inspection of the practice premises and verification of the above requirements, the operating license to run a practice pharmacy can be granted.

The costs for this amount to CHF 500.

Practicing the profession of veterinary practitioner, animal physiotherapist or animal homeopath requires a permit from the Food and Veterinary Office.

The applicant shall apply in writing for a license to practice the profession, enclosing

a) Nationality by means of a copy of the passport
b) Professional aptitude by means of proof of training
c) Good reputation by means of an extract from the criminal record
d) Fulfillment of the health requirements by means of a medical certificate
e) Completion of professional liability insurance by means of proof of insurance (insurance cover of at least CHF 3 million)
f) Sufficient knowledge of German

To prove professional suitability, the applicant must

a) have high-quality professional training that is recognized by the ALKVW (recognition of training in other animal health professions); and 
b) completion of an examination conducted by the ALKVW or recognized as equivalent in the areas of animal disease diagnostics and animal disease, therapeutic products and animal welfare legislation

After the documents submitted have been checked for completeness, the license to practice the profession can be issued. The costs for this amount to CHF 250.

Animal health practitioners, animal physiotherapists or animal homeopaths who are nationals of a contracting party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss nationals and are legally established in their home country for the independent practice of the veterinary profession are authorized to temporarily and occasionally practice their profession across borders in Liechtenstein.

The first provision of a service in Liechtenstein must be notified in writing to the Food and Veterinary Office in advance. In urgent cases, this notification may be made immediately after the service has been provided.
The notification must be renewed once a year if the service provider intends to provide services in Liechtenstein temporarily or occasionally during the year in question.

When reporting the provision of services for the first time or in the event of significant changes to the situation certified in the previously submitted documents, the service provider must submit:

a)  Certification that the activity is lawfully exercised in the country of origin;
b)  confirmation from the issuing authority in accordance with Annex V, point 5.4.2 of Directive/2005/36/EC, that the exercise of the activity is not prohibited, not even temporarily;
c)  proof of nationality;
d)  proof of professional qualification;

Once the documents submitted have been checked for completeness, the confirmation of freedom to provide services can be issued. No fees are charged for the confirmation of registration.

An appeal may be lodged with the government against decisions or orders of the Food and Veterinary Office within 14 days of notification.

The appeal must contain:
- The name of the contested decision,
- a statement as to whether the decision is contested in its entirety or only in individual parts,

and, in the latter case, the precise designation of the contested part,
- the grounds of appeal,
- the requests,
- the evidence by which the grounds of appeal are to be supported and proved,
- the signature of the appellant.

Appeals against government decisions may be lodged with the government or with the Administrative Court within 14 days of notification.

The appeal must contain:
- The name of the contested decision,
- a statement as to whether the decision is contested in its entirety or only in individual parts,

and, in the latter case, the precise designation of the contested part,
- the grounds of appeal,
- the requests,
- the evidence by which the grounds of appeal are to be supported and proved,
- the signature of the appellant.

The appeal to the Administrative Court can only be directed against unlawful action and execution or against facts that are contrary to the file or incorrect