Veterinary practitioner – Surgery – Opening

General information

Opening and close-down of a surgery or private animal hospital have to be notified to the district administrative authority [Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde] and the Austrian Veterinary Chamber [Österreichische Tierärztekammer] in advance, in any case within two weeks. 

Only self-employed veterinarians and veterinary companys are entitled to operate a surgery or private animal hospital.

Veterinary companies must either

• be founded by self-employed veterinarians or
• the majority of shares and voting rights must be held by veterinarians with professional qualifications or
• at least 50 percent of the company shares and voting rights are held by veterinarians who are entitled to exercise their profession, and the prerequisite for comprehensive quality assurance (structural, process and result quality) is guaranteed by the establishment of a commission with regard to the management of a surgery or a private veterinary clinic.

If the surgery or private animal hospital is managed (directed) not by a shareholder, but by an employed veterinarian, it must be ensured that the person responsible for its management is professionally independent.

Veterinarians who manage a surgery or private animal hospital are obliged 

• to keep it in a condition which complies with hygiene standards and veterinary demand, and 
• to identify it by appropriate outward designation befitting their profession.

Enterprises affected

All who intend to operate a surgery or private animal hospital.

Deadlines

Notification has to be given to the competent authorities in advance, but in any case within two weeks.

Competent authority

Competence for the procedure lies with:

• the locally competent Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde and
• the Österreichische Tierärztekammer

Procedure

A letter has to be addressed to the locally competent Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde and the Österreichische Tierärztekammer containing the abovementioned information.

Required documents

No additional documents are required.

Costs and fees

There are no fees or charges foreseen for the notification.

Further information

Österreichische Tierärztekammer (→ ÖTK)^{German text}

Legal bases

sections 2, 16 to 18 of the Tierärztegesetz (TÄG)