The study of the electric field around a surge arrester is useful for design procedures and diagnostic tests. The current work com- putes the electric field around a medium voltage gapless surge arrester using 2D and 3D representation of the arrester. The 2D simulation design, which is described in IEC 60099-4 Standard, cannot include the non symmetrical parts of the arrester geometry and the test arrange- ment. 3D simulation procedures have the advantage that takes into account these asymmetries, giving more accurate results for each measurement position. In order to confirm the suitability of the created models, the simulation results of the electric field, using the 2D and 3D edition of PC Opera, are compared with recorded measurements, which are obtained in laboratory using appropriate calibrated field meters.