The Portuguese Veterinary Order (OMV) has launched a national campaign and public petition calling for the VAT on companion animal veterinary services to be reduced from 23% to 6%, arguing that veterinary healthcare should be treated like other essential health services rather than as a luxury.
Making veterinary care more affordable
The campaign urges the Portuguese Parliament to debate the proposal, highlighting that lower VAT would make consultations, vaccinations, surgery and preventive care more affordable for the country's 4.5 million pet-owning households. According to the OMV, improved access to veterinary care would enhance animal welfare, encourage responsible pet ownership and help reduce economic-driven pet abandonment.
Public petition and awareness campaign
The OMV also stresses the wider One Health benefits of the measure. By removing financial barriers to veterinary care, it argues, disease prevention, zoonotic disease control, epidemiological surveillance and food safety would all be strengthened. 'Animal health is an integral part of public health,' said Pedro Fabrica, President of the OMV. 'Reducing VAT to 6% is a socially responsible measure that will improve access to veterinary care while benefiting animals, families and society as a whole. It is time for policymakers to recognise veterinary medicine as an essential healthcare service.'
Alongside the petition, the OMV has launched a nationwide awareness campaign encouraging veterinarians, pet owners and the wider public to support the proposal, which it believes would deliver long-term benefits for animal health, public health and responsible pet ownership.
(illustration ©OMV)