O'seas retirement - EU vet costs query - help please

red_bertie

:hello:Hello fellow silver savers. Hope this is the right board. :question: Can anyone give me personal experience/brief info on vet fees, levels of proficiency, vet insurance in EU countries.

It's is all a long way off, but these critters have to come with me - first part of the big pre-plan, but I know I have to get pet passports first.

If u are living in a 'retirement' country, I would be most interested to hear how you have fared. Thanks.

RB

seven-day-weekend

Hello Red Bertie

I only have limited personal knowledge of vets in Spain and none of other EU countries, but they seemed fine to me and costs were less than UK.

Other people in the village seemed pleased with level of care.

Hope this helps.

(Have you read the 'sticky' thread about living abroad at the top of this board? May help you with general advice).

red_bertie

Thanks seven-day. Yes I have read some of sticky, but so much info to digest in one go - and I am trying to get a list of priorities so I don't go off half-!!!!.

RB

Suzy_M

Glad to see you've got your priorities right!

I used to work with veterinary surgeons from a number of countries including the EU (fresh crop every year). The key thing to remember is different cultures have different attitudes to pet animals, and how far to go with treatment. You may feel better "interviewing" a few vets first before choosing a permanent one. - Also consider whether the vet has a preference for small or large animal practice. - Or find an ex-pat?

I don't know which country you are thinking of moving to but in my experience there is only one EU country where I have serious doubts over the competence and attitude of veterinary surgeons. - A country which has one of the worst records on deliberate animal cruelty.