Studying abroad
Medical specialty training abroad: how to plan it
Specialty training abroad is the next stage after your degree: working in a hospital while training in your chosen field. We help you understand the rules in different countries and put the steps in the right order.
- Licencea licence to practise in the training country is usually needed
- several yearslength depends on the specialty and country
- 2005/36/ECthe directive on recognising specialist titles in the EU
What the studies look like
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1
Choosing a country and specialty
Admission rules, languages and pay differ a lot between countries.
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2
Diploma recognition
Before you start, the relevant authority or chamber has to recognise your diploma and give you the right to work.
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3
Admission to training
Selection can be competitive and requires the language, reference letters and a full set of documents.
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4
Training and exam
Rotations, on-call duties and a final exam after which you receive the specialist title.
Where do you want to work after your studies?
- 1A diploma that meets Directive 2005/36/EC is recognised automatically in every EU and EEA country.
- 2You apply for the licence to practise to the authority or chamber of the country where you want to work.
- 3You usually also need to show the level of the local language required for the job.
- 1A non-EU diploma is not recognised automatically: each country runs its own procedure, such as nostrification or a verification exam.
- 2In Poland, for example, it is nostrification or the LEW or LDEW exam, followed by the internship, the LEK or LDEK and the licence to practise.
- 3It is a longer road, so it is worth knowing it before choosing a university.
- 1Every country has its own rules and exams, such as the USMLE in the USA, DHA in Dubai or KROK in Ukraine.
- 2Before you choose a university, we check that its diploma is recognised where you want to work.
- 3On MedMigrant you can prepare for licensing exams, and in our Guides we describe the route to working in different countries.
Check whether you are ready
Frequently asked questions
Will specialty training done abroad be recognised in another country?
In the EU, specialist titles listed in the directive are in principle recognised automatically, provided they meet the minimum training time. In other countries the recognition procedure decides.
Can I start specialty training without a recognised diploma?
Usually not: you need a licence to practise in the country where you train.
How long does specialty training take?
It depends on the specialty and country, usually several years. We check the exact length for your chosen route.
Other fields
Let’s talk about your studies
Tell us which degree interests you, where you would like to study and when you finish school. We will reply with where to start.
MedMigrant is not a university or a university representative. Admission is decided solely by the university, and diploma recognition and the licence to practise by the relevant authorities and professional bodies. Admission rules change, so we always check them on the university’s website before you apply.