The impact of the new Veterinary Care Act on municipal veterinary services

The key change in the law for customers is the market pricing of complementary services, meaning that their prices will increase.

The new Veterinary Services Act (285/2023) entered into force on 1 January 2026. The main objective of the act is to secure basic veterinary services that are critical to animal health and welfare throughout the country, clarify the organizational responsibilities of municipalities, and differentiate the boundaries between municipal and market-based activities.

The responsibility for organizing covers veterinary services that are essential for the public interest for the municipalities and the city of Imatra Region Environmental Board. Production animal services and emergency assistance for all animal species remain within the scope of municipal responsibility for organizing. Specialist-level care cannot be provided in municipal veterinary medicine.

– The key change for the customer is the market pricing of complementary services, meaning their prices will increase, says the environmental manager. Sanna Hämäläinen.

Additional services and market-based pricing

Services that exceed statutory measures are classified as supplementary services. They are subject to market-based pricing that covers the costs incurred in providing the service.

According to the decision of the Imatra Regional Environmental Board, complementary services include:

Imaging studies in situations where appropriate examination of the animal and assessment of the need for treatment require it.
Surgical treatment in life-threatening emergencies, such as cesarean section and hysterectomy for dogs.
Inspections, studies and basic procedures related to the reproduction of companion and hobby animals.
Basic disease treatment and related examinations for companion and hobby animals, as well as follow-up visits such as control visits and sample collection.
Basic small animal surgical care, also in non-life-threatening situations
Basic veterinary service for companion and hobby animals from out of town. Customers from Imatra, Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi and Parikkala are considered residents of the municipality at the regional offices in Ruokolahti and Parikkala.

New customer fees

With the law, residents will now have to pay two separate fees for a visit to the veterinarian:

Fee according to the municipal veterinarian's rate
The clinic fee charged by the municipality and, if necessary, a new cost for additional services of €53/h including VAT. The price list can be found here. From the Imatra Region Environmental Services website.