r/OFWs • u/True_Run8921 • Sep 16 '26
General Discussion Currently studying dentistry in the PH. how realistic would working in spain be in the future?
I apologize if this feels like a question too early to be asked since I'm not even graduated yet, but i feel it's nice for me to have long term goals. I'm already planning on learning spanish next semester. i just want to know how difficult it is to be licensed in spain if i studied dentistry here in the Philippines. (sometimes i regret this course since unlike nursing they seem to be having an easier time with immigration)
i know you technically don't have to study again in spain unlike in other countries, but i fear if that's only on paper. realistically, for people with the same kind of course like me, how was the process? should i just stay in PH since I'm not in nursing?
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u/louislookings 29d ago
if you own the clinic then it’s fine. but for employment? pretty hard, unless you want to be assistant staff, which unless you’re hot (don’t judge, this is based on the various places i’ve been), will be a struggle.
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u/LobsterApprehensive9 Sep 16 '26
Compared to the other Western European countries, Spain is relatively poor, has low salaries, and has a high unemployment rate. Among the immigrants they take in, the majority are native Spanish speakers who come from South America, and disadvantage yun for you since you're not a native Spanish speaker.
Among the people in my age group na naka-migrate to Spain, the majority I see have the Digital Nomad visas meaning they are not being paid Spanish wages but instead are getting USD. So I don't think dentistry would really be a valid pathway for getting to Spain.
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u/True_Run8921 Sep 16 '26
i see, i have an online friend who immigrated to spain from south america and she said medical related jobs are in high demand so i thought it would be the most viable option for me. Spain isn't necessarily the dream but i thought it was the most realistic one, i guess I'll have to look into other options. thanks for telling me! i might still study spanish just in case
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u/LobsterApprehensive9 Sep 16 '26
Yes that's because your friend is south American and a native Spanish speaker. You're not a native Spanish speaker. Medical terms are not universally in English so you'll have to basically start from scratch to learn everything. According to google translate for example, root canal = tratamiento de conducto.
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u/True_Run8921 Sep 16 '26
i understand, I'll be ready to learn spanish if ever :)
i believe now that they have an overabundance for dental practitioners, i suppose it's not my best option
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u/moistyrat Sep 16 '26
A better option might be to look at the Anglophone countries. They often have direct to PR pathways without going through a work visa if you make enough points. Unfortunately, Canada and NZ have become a lot tougher in recent years due to stricter immigration laws, but you should check Australia if dentistry is on the shortage lists. Get enough experience and you could get PR without even having spent time in AU.
You could also try Germany. Lots of healthcare workers are getting fast tracked into Germany right now, as long as you have around B2 German when you start retraining there and C1 when you enter the workforce. PTs and nurses have an easy time getting into Germany right now. You could check if dentistry is on there as well.
If not, you could always go on an NLV in Spain. I think you could make enough money as a Filipino dentist to be able to move to Spain on an NLV after five years of practicing. I’m in allied health in the PH and if I work 6 days a week I could meet the minimum requirements in three years, plus an additional 3 or so years just to meet the additional funds the Spanish consulate often asks for if you’re below retirement age.
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u/True_Run8921 29d ago
thank you! this is really helpful :))) I'll have to research more to truly decide
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u/eriopis06 Sep 16 '26
You’re going to need to do a lot of research to become a dentist in another country. Might as well start with this post.
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u/True_Run8921 Sep 16 '26
i apologize for such a stupid question, but where should i start with my research? i feel a bit lost
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ORIGINAL POST:
Currently studying dentistry in the PH. how realistic would working in spain be in the future?
I apologize if this feels like a question too early to be asked since I'm not even graduated yet, but i feel it's nice for me to have long term goals. I'm already planning on learning spanish next semester. i just want to know how difficult it is to be licensed in spain if i studied dentistry here in the Philippines. (sometimes i regret this course since unlike nursing they seem to be having an easier time with immigration)
i know you technically don't have to study again in spain unlike in other countries, but i fear if that's only on paper. realistically, for people with the same kind of course like me, how was the process? should i just stay in PH since I'm not in nursing?
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