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Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

The Funding Order and RCVS funding undertakings were published on 20 August 2026. The substantive remedies Order and related RCVS undertakings were still being finalised as of this review (statutory deadline 23 September 2026). Where later compliance dates are planned rather than in force, we say so.

Independent guide

CMA Veterinary Pricing Changes

This hub helps pet owners and practices understand changes to veterinary pricing transparency and competition rules in the UK — what the CMA decided, what is still being implemented, and how published prices can support better decisions.

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Vet Price Comparison is an independent UK comparison service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, operated by, or part of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) or the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The Funding Order and RCVS funding undertakings were published on 20 August 2026. The substantive remedies Order and related RCVS undertakings were still being finalised as of this review (statutory deadline 23 September 2026). Where later compliance dates are planned rather than in force, we say so.

At a glance

What is changing?

Clearer published price lists, ownership disclosure, written estimates for higher-cost pathways, prescription fee caps, and data for comparison tools.

See what's changing

Who is affected?

Mainly commercial first-opinion practices serving household pets. Some remedies also cover referral, out-of-hours, and cremation providers. Animal charities are generally out of scope.

Practice overview

When does it happen?

Final report: March 2026. Funding Order: August 2026. Substantive Order and RCVS undertakings: expected by 23 September 2026. Phased business compliance: late 2026 into 2027, with larger groups generally earlier.

View timeline

What does it mean for pet owners?

Easier access to price and ownership information over time — without guaranteeing lower prices. Compare published figures, then confirm with the practice before booking.

Pet owner guide

Timeline

Structured milestones from the investigation through planned compliance windows. Status labels show what is already published versus still forthcoming.

Full timeline

  1. 24 March 2026

    CompletedEveryone

    Final report and remedies package published

    The CMA published its final decision report, confirming an integrated remedies package on transparency, medicines, treatment information, ownership, complaints, and RCVS-supported comparison data.

  2. 21 July – 20 August 2026

    CompletedEveryone

    Draft substantive Order and RCVS Undertakings consulted

    The CMA published draft substantive Order text and draft RCVS Undertakings for formal consultation. The consultation closed on 20 August 2026; as of mid-September 2026 GOV.UK still showed feedback being analysed and no final substantive Order published.

  3. 20 August 2026

    CompletedVet practices

    Funding Order and RCVS funding undertakings published

    The CMA published the final Funding Order and RCVS funding undertakings requiring relevant veterinary businesses to fund certain RCVS activities linked to the remedies package.

  4. By 23 September 2026 (planned)

    In progressEveryone

    Substantive Order and RCVS undertakings expected

    The CMA’s statutory deadline for implementing remedial action is 23 September 2026 (extendable by up to four months for special reasons under the Enterprise Act). Case-hub timetable: finalise and make the substantive remedies Order and accept the RCVS Undertaking in August–September 2026. As of 14 September 2026 the final substantive Order had not yet appeared on the case hub.

  5. December 2026 (planned)

    PlannedVet practices

    Larger businesses — early transparency compliance

    CMA business guidance indicates larger businesses (generally 15 or more first-opinion practices) need to comply with key ownership and price-transparency remedies from December 2026, once the Order is in place. Exact obligations follow the final Order text.

  6. March 2027 (planned)

    PlannedVet practices

    Smaller businesses — transparency compliance

    Smaller businesses generally have longer to comply with the same transparency package. Groups also face ownership-transparency timing called out separately in CMA guidance.

  7. March 2027 (planned)

    PlannedVet practices

    Larger businesses — prescription fee cap

    CMA guidance lists March 2027 for larger businesses to comply with the written prescription fee cap (£21 for the first medicine in a consultation; £12.50 for each additional medicine in the same consultation, inclusive of VAT, with annual CPI adjustment planned).

  8. June 2027 (planned)

    PlannedRCVS

    RCVS enhanced Find a Vet readiness

    CMA guidance states the RCVS should modify Find a Vet and be ready to accept practice data by June 2027. Until then, enhanced central publication should be treated as forthcoming, not live.

  9. June 2027 (planned)

    PlannedVet practices

    Larger businesses — written estimates and itemised bills

    Written estimates for treatment pathways reasonably likely to cost £500 or more (including VAT), plus itemised billing, are scheduled later in the rollout for larger businesses.

  10. September 2027 (planned)

    PlannedEveryone

    Businesses supply data to RCVS for comparison

    Practices are expected to provide key information (including prices) to the RCVS for publication via an enhanced Find a Vet service and for sharing with approved third parties under stated restrictions.

  11. September 2027 (planned)

    PlannedVet practices

    Smaller businesses — written estimates and itemised bills

    Smaller businesses are generally given longer than larger groups to implement written estimates and itemised bills.

What it means for pet owners

  • Greater access to price information

    Over the compliance window, more practices should publish clearer price lists for common services. That makes it easier to check consultation and treatment fees before you book.

  • Easier comparison — eventually via multiple channels

    The CMA package includes RCVS-hosted practice data and sharing with approved third parties. Until that pipeline is live, independent sites like ours continue to show published prices we can already verify.

  • Clearer ownership and service context

    Group ownership and out-of-hours arrangements should become easier to see, which helps you understand who you are dealing with and what happens outside normal hours.

  • What to look for when comparing

    Check what is included (for example anaesthesia or post-op checks on surgery prices), how fresh the figure is, and whether the label is verified, practice-submitted, or user-submitted. Confirm with the practice before booking.

Full pet owner guide

What it means for vet practices

CMA business guidance sets phased transparency, medicines, and treatment-information requirements. Larger groups generally face earlier deadlines. This site summarises publicly available guidance only — it is not legal advice.

Practice overview

RCVS and price information

The CMA’s final package gives the RCVS a central role supporting remedies: monitoring compliance activities described in the report, enhancing Find a Vet, and sharing data with approved third parties under restrictions.

RCVS section

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Primary sources

Regulatory claims on this hub are based on CMA and GOV.UK publications. Open the originals to verify dates and legal text.