Veterinary Services in European Union 2026: Industry Statistics & Trends

The Veterinary Services industry in the European Union comprises professional animal healthcare and disease control activities provided by qualified veterinarians for both companion and production animals. The sector is undergoing structural consolidation alongside a persistent increase in companion animal ownership across member states. According to the latest comprehensive Structural Business Statistics published by Eurostat, the EU veterinary activities sector (NACE M75) generated a total turnover of approximately 13.91 billion Euros in 2022 (Eurostat), reflecting steady multi-year growth driven by increased pet care spending and stringent animal health regulations.

Industry snapshot

Key public data points

Historical & forecast

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What does the Veterinary Services in European Union industry cover?

The industry encompasses all animal health care and disease control activities for farm and pet animals as defined under the European community classification. Services are carried out by qualified veterinarians operating within veterinary hospitals, clinics, surgeries, or via direct farm visits. It also covers diagnostic procedures, auxiliary veterinary personnel services, and animal ambulance operations.

• •Classified officially under NACE Rev. 2 Division 75 (Veterinary activities).
• •Includes clinico-pathological and other diagnostic activities pertaining to animals.
• •Excludes animal boarding activities without health care, which fall under separate service codes.

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The market structure across the European Union is historically fragmented, characterized by a vast number of independent, localized veterinary practices and partnerships. However, corporate consolidation has accelerated significantly in Western and Northern European member states, where private equity-backed groups have acquired independent clinics. In contrast, Central and Eastern European markets remain heavily reliant on micro-enterprises and individual practitioners.

• •Eurostat data indicates Western European nations like Germany and France exhibit much higher turnover per employee than Eastern European nations.
• •Corporate groups share infrastructure, procurement, and administrative functions to optimize clinical efficiencies.
• •Micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees still constitute the vast numerical majority of operators across the EU.

What drives demand in the industry?

Demand is primarily driven by the increasing humanization of companion animals, leading to higher per-capita spending on advanced veterinary treatments, preventative diagnostics, and specialized pet surgeries. Additionally, the strict European agricultural framework mandates regular veterinary oversight for livestock to maintain food safety and control zoonotic diseases. The expanding uptake of pet health insurance across Europe also lowers economic barriers to complex medical procedures.

• •Increasing demand for specialized services including veterinary oncology, cardiology, and advanced medical imaging.
• •Mandatory livestock health tracking and disease surveillance driven by EU agricultural biosecurity priorities.
• •Growth in pet insurance enrollment, particularly in Northern European countries, stabilizes clinic revenue streams.

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

The competitive landscape features a mix of rapidly expanding corporate veterinary hospital networks alongside thousands of traditional independent practices. Large corporate operators rely on cross-border acquisitions to build scale across multiple EU member states. Notable corporate and public entities active in providing or supporting veterinary clinic operations and specialized diagnostic networks within the EU market include major multinational networks and healthcare providers.

• •Evidensia (IVC Evidensia), which operates an extensive network of veterinary clinics and hospitals across multiple EU nations.
• •AniCura, a prominent European provider of veterinary care focusing on specialized corporate clinic management.
• •IDEXX Laboratories, active throughout the EU providing essential veterinary diagnostic equipment, reference laboratory services, and practice software.
• •Vetoquinol SA, a publicly traded veterinary pharmaceuticals company headquartered in France that directly supplies the clinical network.

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The industry is experiencing a profound digital transformation, characterized by the widespread adoption of telemedicine, digital triage, and electronic practice management systems. There is an ongoing operational challenge regarding shortages of qualified veterinary professionals and nursing staff across several EU member states, which exerts upward pressure on labor costs. The outlook remains positive as premium care services continue to expand.

• •Integration of advanced diagnostic technologies and AI-assisted imaging tools within European animal hospitals.
• •Widespread labor constraints and recruitment challenges for veterinary surgeons across both rural and urban areas.
• •Rising average transaction values offsetting inflationary pressures on clinic overhead costs.

How is the industry regulated?

Veterinary practitioners in the EU must comply with stringent national licensing requirements and professional codes of conduct administered by statutory veterinary bodies. The industry is heavily shaped by the European Union Regulation 2016/429, known as the 'Animal Health Law', which provides a single comprehensive framework for transmissible animal diseases. Furthermore, the prescribing of veterinary medicines is tightly controlled under EU Regulation 2019/6 to combat antimicrobial resistance.

• •Compliance with EU Regulation 2016/429 governing disease prevention, notification, and biosecurity requirements.
• •Strict limits on antibiotic prescriptions under EU Regulation 2019/6 to restrict antimicrobial resistance trends.
• •National professional qualifications must align with mutual recognition directives to permit cross-border practice within the EU.

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• Eurostat Structural Business Statistics 2022 ·
• European Commission Official Registry of NACE Codes ·
• European Parliament and Council Regulations on Animal Health (Regulation EU 2016/429)