Uppdaterat september 2026: Jordbruksverkets förslag är nu beslutat. Tidsgränsen för djurvårdare nivå 3 är borttagen genom SJVFS 2026:14, som gäller från 1 augusti 2026. Texten nedan är uppdaterad efter det nya läget.
There has long been a lack of clarity in the industry about what actually applies to level 3 animal caretakers and their right to euthanize pets. There have been many rumors, as well as concerns. Now the Swedish Board of Agriculture has clarified the situation – and for those of you who run or manage a clinic, there is both good news and a clear window to act within.
Here we find out what applies to level 3 animal caretakers and their right to euthanize pets, what it means for your business and how you ensure the competence of your team.
Nu är det beslutat: Jordbruksverket tar bort tidsgränsen
I april 2026 skickade Swedish Board of Agriculture ut ett förslag om att ta bort tidsgränsen för djurvårdare nivå 3. Nu är förslaget beslutat. Den nya föreskriften SJVFS 2026:14 gäller från 1 augusti 2026 och ersätter SJVFS 2023:20.
Det innebär att rätten att söva sällskapsdjur inte längre har något slutdatum den 31 december 2026. Undantaget gäller i stället fram tills att systemet med godkända djurvårdare införs, med start den 1 september 2030. Hur övergången till det nya systemet blir är ännu inte bestämt.
Den enklare smärtlindringskursen (bilaga 6, 16 timmar) är upphävd. Det finns alltså bara a väg till narkoskompetens för djurvårdare, och den kräver en gedigen utbildning.
What happens if your staff is not trained?
The Swedish Board of Agriculture's impact assessment is clear in its description of what happens if clinics lack staff with anesthesia expertise:
- Fewer emergency surgeries and emergency services
- Dental care for dogs and cats risks becoming unavailable in parts of the country
- In the worst case scenario, animals may be denied care or euthanized due to staff shortages.
- Licensed animal nurses and veterinarians are forced to take over time-consuming tasks from other clinical work.
This is not a hypothetical future – it is the reality that already characterizes many clinics today. And the industry cannot afford to lose any more operational capacity.
The Swedish Board of Agriculture also notes that there are no documented indications from the liability board or insurance companies of an increased safety risk when level 3 animal caretakers perform anesthesia. The expertise is therefore both valuable and safe.
What is the situation like at your clinic?
Sweden currently has approximately 530 animal caretakers at level 3, a number that has grown by 138 people since 2022. It is a professional group that carries a large part of the daily surgical flow at clinics around the country - but is still too small to meet demand.
Om du har medarbetare som arbetar som djurvårdare nivå 2 och har minst tre års heltidserfarenhet är de behöriga att påbörja utbildningen till nivå 3. Med den nya föreskriften finns ingen deadline att stressa mot, men behovet av narkoskompetent personal är lika stort som tidigare. Ju tidigare din personal är utbildad, desto snabbare stärks klinikens kapacitet.
Vetmigo's course – education that lasts
Vår grundläggande kurs i anestesi och smärtlindring för djurvårdare nivå 3 följer kursplanen i Jordbruksverkets bilaga 5 fullt ut och uppfyller kraven i SJVFS 2026:14. Nästa kurs startar den 21 januari 2027 och avslutas i mars 2027, med tre kurstillfällen i Eskilstuna eller digitalt.
Led by one of the industry's most distinguished teachers:
The course is led by Anna Forsblom, a licensed veterinary nurse with Cert VNECC and NCert Anaesthesia. It is a track record that few in Sweden can match in anesthesia for pets. Your employee must not only meet the formal requirements of the Swedish Board of Agriculture – they will learn from someone who truly masters the subject in depth.
Arrangements that work in your business:
The theoretical part is divided into three blocks of two days each – with the possibility of participating physically or online. Between blocks, the course participant works with study material, study questions, assignments and case studies at their own pace.
The practical skills training takes place on your own workplace, under the supervision of a licensed animal nurse or veterinarian, according to the list of elements in SJVFS 2017:16. This means that your employee does not need to be away from the clinic for long periods - the training is integrated into the ongoing work. The workplace is responsible for ensuring that the elements are taught correctly and signed when the student passes them.
Do you need support in setting up the tutorial? Vetmigo provides tutorial support and help with planning the training program.
Certification included:
Examinationen kräver godkända praktiska moment enligt SJVFS 2026:14. Vid godkänt resultat utfärdas ett kursintyg som ger din medarbetare full behörighet att arbeta som djurvårdare nivå 3 och söva sällskapsdjur under veterinärens ansvar.
Varför det är rätt tid att utbilda nu
The Swedish Board of Agriculture's proposal makes the picture clearer now than it has been in a long time:
- Rätten att söva sällskapsdjur har inte längre något slutdatum 2026 för utbildad personal.
- Den lägre utbildningsvägen (bilaga 6) är borttagen, och 80-timmarskursen är den enda vägen.
- Fler utbildade djurvårdare nivå 3 stärker din kliniks kapacitet, flexibilitet och förmåga att ta emot patienter, både i vardagen och i jour.
Anyone who trains their staff now is investing in skills that will last a long time. And in an industry where a shortage of anesthesia-competent staff is already a real problem, it is an investment that is immediately visible in the business.
Price
SEK 28,000 excl. VAT – it includes the entire course and certification. No hidden costs.
Secure the location for your staff
Antalet platser är begränsat och våra kurser brukar bli fullbokade. Nästa kurs startar 21 januari 2027.
Anmäl din personal till kursen här → https://vetmigo.se/narkosutbildning-djurvardare-2027/
Do you have questions about the course, the eligibility requirements, or how the system works in practice? Contact us – we will help you find the right solution for your clinic.
Vetmigo is a recruitment/staffing company that also develops training for animal caretakers and animal healthcare personnel. Our courses follow the Swedish Board of Agriculture's regulations and are designed by and for people who work in animal healthcare every day.