APMVE – Portuguese Equine Veterinary Association: History, Mission & Congress

The Associação Portuguesa de Médicos Veterinários de Equinos (APMVE) is the national professional body for equine veterinarians in Portugal. Since its founding in 2002, APMVE has played a central role in supporting equine practitioners, promoting excellence in horse health and welfare, and representing Portugal’s equine vets within the wider European and Iberoamerican communities.

Today, APMVE is recognised as the leading organisation for equine veterinary science in Portugal, offering education, resources, advocacy, and international collaboration opportunities.

A Brief History

APMVE was founded in 2002 by a group of pioneering equine veterinarians, including José Luís Núncio Fragoso, José Prazeres, Rui Mendes, Paula Tilley, Nuno Bernardes, Mário Barbosa, Elisa Bettencourt, João Filipe Figueiredo, Francisco Camacho, Ricardo Agrícola, and Maria Antónia Nabais.

What began with around 20 members has since grown into a much larger national association, establishing APMVE as a key voice in Portugal’s equine sector. From its earliest days, APMVE has aimed to unite practitioners, improve standards, and foster collaboration with international associations.

Mission & Objectives

APMVE’s mission reflects its commitment to both the profession and the horse industry in Portugal. Its objectives include:

• Continuing education: Organising congresses, courses, and workshops for equine practitioners.
• Professional representation: Giving equine vets a collective voice in regulatory, clinical, and scientific matters.
• Scientific advancement: Promoting equine research and improving clinical practice through knowledge sharing.
• Pre-purchase standards: Offering a unified platform for the Exame em Acto de Compra, ensuring transparency and professionalism.
• Collaboration: Building strong partnerships with national and international veterinary bodies.

Member Services & Benefits

Equine veterinarians who join APMVE gain access to a wide range of professional benefits, including:

• Privileged access to clinical and regulatory information.
• Participation in decision-making on issues affecting equine practice in Portugal.
• Discounts for APMVE’s annual congress and events organised by partner associations.
• Access to the Exame em Acto de Compra digital platform for pre-purchase examinations.
• A public listing in APMVE’s official veterinary directory.
• Discounted access to BEVA Affiliate Membership, including BEVA journals, CPD library, and smartphone apps.

APMVE Congress

At the heart of APMVE’s calendar is the APMVE Annual Congress, a flagship event for Portugal’s equine vets.

• When: Each October
• Where: Rotating venues (recently held in Vilamoura, Algarve)
• What to expect: Scientific lectures, practical workshops, case discussions, and networking with colleagues from Portugal and abroad.

The congress attracts both national and international speakers, making it a key continuing education event for equine practitioners in southern Europe.

International Links

APMVE ensures Portuguese equine veterinarians are connected far beyond their borders:

• Through FEEVA (Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations), APMVE contributes to European-level policy, welfare, and clinical standards.
• Through FIAVE (Federación Iberoamericana de Asociaciones de Veterinarios de Équidos), it strengthens ties with Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries.
• APMVE has established collaboration protocols with BEVA (UK), AVEE (Spain), and AVEF (France).

Connection to BEVA: If you’re already a member of APMVE, you may also be eligible for BEVA Affiliate Membership, giving you discounted access to BEVA’s journals, CPD library, webinars, and BEVA Congress rates.

Learn about BEVA Affiliate Membership →

Why APMVE Matters to Equine Vets

For equine veterinarians in Portugal, APMVE provides:

• A professional identity and representation at the national level.
• Access to world-class CPD through its congress and courses.
• Involvement in international collaborations through FEEVA, FIAVE, and BEVA.
• Tools like the pre-purchase exam platform to strengthen practice standards.

For veterinarians outside Portugal, APMVE represents an opportunity to connect with colleagues in a growing equine market and to attend a congress that brings together southern European and Iberoamerican expertise.

Join Our Community

We already have a strong community of Portuguese equine veterinarians among our subscribers, alongside colleagues from Ireland, Germany, South Africa, and beyond. If you would like to join this network, meet like-minded professionals, and connect with the wider equine veterinary community, now is the perfect time to get involved. Together with APMVE, you’ll gain access to education, collaboration, and a global community committed to advancing equine medicine.

FAQ’S 

What is APMVE?
The Associação Portuguesa de Médicos Veterinários de Equinos (APMVE) is Portugal’s equine veterinary association.

When was APMVE founded?
APMVE was founded in 2002 by a group of Portuguese equine veterinarians.

What does APMVE do?
APMVE promotes equine welfare, organises CPD, represents equine vets, and offers tools like the pre-purchase exam platform.

Does APMVE host a congress?
Yes, APMVE runs an annual congress each October, featuring scientific lectures, workshops, and international speakers

Is APMVE linked internationally?
Yes, APMVE is part of FEEVA and FIAVE, and has collaboration agreements with BEVA, AVEE, and AVEF.