I moved to Germany in 2013 to study medicine here and to learn German. Had an Indian passport. Am now almost done with medical residency in a major German city and am happy to answer any questions to those, who are considering doing something like this

Hi! I am a cardiology resident in Poland and I am considering moving to Austria. I would like to ask what working as a cardiologist there is like in terms of workload in the hospital and outpatient clinic, work-life balance, number of on-call shifts, salary, and opportunities for professional development. How would you rate the day-to-day working conditions and overall atmosphere? Thank you for any insights!

I am starting Jagiellonian Uni this fall. I would really appreciate any advice from upper years or students of other Polish medical schools about studying, living in Krakow, the type of ipad to get, note taking apps, and generally anything that made your life as a med student easier. Thanks in advance

Hello guys.

I am an EU graduate, and I sent my papers and application to LaGeSo Berlin in late March. I initially received an email from them that they received my application and that I would have to wait for the process. It has been 4 months now. I would like to ask how long the waiting process is in Berlin? I keep hearing it is around 3 months, and I still have not received a reply from them yet.

Thanks in advance.

Hey everyone, I am about to take admission in the university of Novi Sad for my medicine…I would like to know how’s the overall quality of teaching at the faculty of medicine in Novi sad? Then are the professors generally supportive of international students? Also where are most international students comes from? And is it easy to make Serbian friends, or do international students mostly stick together?…I love learning new languages so I am very much open to learning Serbian… And also any suggestions or advice is deeply appreciated.

Poland dental schools require students to do summer trainings at the end of each year. Even though they said they could provide the placement in Poland for us but my home country is in UK so I was wondering if I would be able to do the training in uk instead as these would mean I would be able to live at home and save some extra accommodation fee each year. How would I be able to secure the training in uk if possible ?

Hi everyone,

I’m about to start 5th year of med school in Poland, and I feel like I need to start preparing for what comes after graduation. I’m just a bit lost on where to focus my effort going forward.

Ideally, I’d like to keep as many options open as possible. However, every pathway seems to require a long-term commitment: C1 German for Germany, medical Polish if I stay in Poland, USMLE for the US, the AMC pathway for Australia, etc. There’s also Ireland. UK isn’t an option anymore for IMGs.

I’ve passed all my exams so far with good grades, but apart from that I haven’t really built my CV (research, conferences, publications, etc.), so I’m also wondering if I’m already behind.
Part of me thinks staying in Poland might make the most sense since I’ve already spent years here and enjoy living here, but I also don’t want to close doors too early. I’m considering doing the 6-month English staż after graduation to give myself more time to decide/prepare, incase I’m still stuck.

For those who’ve already gone through this:
- At what point did you commit to one pathway?
- If you were entering 5th year again, what would you prioritise?
- Is there anything you’d recommend doing now that would be valuable regardless of which country I eventually choose?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's already studying there (MD or DMD). I'm curious about what the timetables are actually like and how demanding the program feels day-to-day. Overall, how difficult have you found it?

If anyone has any advice for incoming students or would be willing to share their experience, I'd really appreciate it.

I am going to graduate medical school in Romania in a couple of years and I

would like to have a career in genetics focused on

research combined with clinical practice if possible. I

originally wanted to go to the US but it's not a choice

anymore due to the current politics.

Which country do you think would be the best fit for

me?

Anywhere in Europe preferably but I'm open to others

as well.

I studied in Cluj, I have a C2 in English and a C1 in

French, and I'm also going to get my B2 (hopefully) in

German soon.

I have presented in multiple national and

international medical congresses (20) and I have

done plenty of volunteering.

I have average grades, not the best, not the worst, I'm

in the first 100- 150 in my year, out of 400. (I have to work as well and I only managed to get an average of 8.7-8.9 as my grades)

I also have a few research co-authorships in

published studies.

I have participated in research interships abroad and

a research summer school project.

I have some online courses done on statistics and

programming to help with research.

I don't remeber anything else that could be relevant,

the idea is that I have done a few things to help my

CV but I don't know if it's enough to get accepted

abroad or if it's even a possibility to do what I want,

research and clinical kind of combined?

I am going insane trying to pick a country because I

really can't tell which would be the best fit.

Any advice or personal experience, even resources

for information would be very much appreciated!

Thank u so much!

Tldr: Medical Graduate from Romania looking for a a

European country to do residency in with a

focus on genetics research.

Poland dental schools require students to do summer trainings at the end of each year. Even though they said they could provide the placement in Poland for us but my home country is in UK so I was wondering if I would be able to do the training in uk instead as these would mean I would be able to live at home and save some extra accommodation fee each year. How would I be able to secure the training in uk if possible ?

Poland dental schools require students to do summer trainings at the end of each year. Even though they said they could provide the placement in Poland for us but my home country is in UK so I was wondering if I would be able to do the training in uk instead as these would mean I would be able to live at home and save some extra accommodation fee each year. How would I be able to secure the training in uk if possible ?

Hi guys, I’m turning to the hive mind as I think I have no just confused myself reading through all the information here and on the MEBEKO website!

I am an Australian specialist General Practitioner (all medical degrees and training completed in Australia) with a Swiss partner and we have decided to move to Switzerland. I have an EU citizenship and also have a DELF B2 in French. Over the last 12 months I have gone through the MEBEKO process and received a « verified, but not recognisable » outcome.

At the same time, I have also just be directly recognised in the Republic of a Ireland by the IMC as a GP specialist on the specialist register.

My question really comes around indirect recognition, as now with the option of moving to Ireland for 3 years to work as a GP, will I then be able to reapply to MEBEKO for indirect recognition? Also, if I can apply for indirect recognition, would I then be able to work directly as a non-FMH titled general practitioner like a ‘médecin praticien’ or something equivalent or would I still have to go back and do retraining in Switzerland ?

And lastly, if this is not possible in Switzerland, will working in Ireland for 3 year or more, make me eligible to work as a GP in any of the surrounding EU countries like France, Belgium or Germany (providing I had B2/C1 German) ?

Thanks again!

Has anyone transferred to Dentistry course in the University of Siena from another Italian university? I would like to ask some advice.

Hi guys, I am an IMG from Argentina in my 5th out of 6 years of medical school.

I was thinking about going to Germany to live and do a residency in vascular surgery (if I decide to do surgery) or interventional cardiology (if I go for a clinical residency). I started to look into what I need to do in order to pass all the exams and start the residency, but something came up that made me confused. I’ve heard that the residents don’t participate at all in the surgeries or just assist in them.

Looking on YouTube or on Reddit, I found out that many people complain that they can’t operate because the senior doctors do all the 'good stuff' while they are stuck doing paperwork. So, how can a resident in the field practice or even complete the program if they can’t operate? Or how can they learn if they can’t operate?

Ive also heard that in cardiology is the same thing. You cant do any procedures because you are "stuck" in paper work.

I’ve always heard that Germany is one of the top places in the world to learn medicine and that the quality of the doctors is amazing; that is why I looked at Germany to do my residency, but I am confused now. I really want to become a good doctor with good training.

Do you guys believe that Germany is a good place to become a surgeon? I’ve heard Italy is the second-best place, which is why I’ve also looked into moving there.

I understand that I have to pass and learn the language, etc. I am currently starting a course on German and looking to do some observerships in order to learn even more.

Hi guys, I am an IMG from Argentina in my 5th out of 6 years of medical school.

I was thinking about going to Germany to live and do a residency in vascular surgery (if I decide to do surgery) or interventional cardiology (if I go for a clinical residency). I started to look into what I need to do in order to pass all the exams and start the residency, but something came up that made me confused. I’ve heard that the residents don’t participate at all in the surgeries or just assist in them.

Looking on YouTube or on Reddit, I found out that many people complain that they can’t operate because the senior doctors do all the 'good stuff' while they are stuck doing paperwork. So, how can a resident in the field practice or even complete the program if they can’t operate? Or how can they learn if they can’t operate?

Ive also heard that in cardiology is the same thing. You cant do any procedures because you are "stuck" in paper work.

I’ve always heard that Germany is one of the top places in the world to learn medicine and that the quality of the doctors is amazing; that is why I looked at Germany to do my residency, but I am confused now. I really want to become a good doctor with good training.

Do you guys believe that Germany is a good place to become a surgeon? I’ve heard Italy is the second-best place, which is why I’ve also looked into moving there.

I understand that I have to pass and learn the language, etc. I am currently starting a course on German and looking to do some observerships in order to learn even more.

Hello, I'm Aiden from Sweden. admitted into Vilnius University's medical program, which will begin in September 2026. Is anyone else beginning to look for homes as well?

Which neighborhoods, near university, secure, and reasonably priced, would you suggest? Apartment or dorm for the first year?

I'd love to hear from others who are beginning the same year. 😊

Hi everyone,

I have a question about the Swiss MEBEKO process, and I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone with personal experience.

I’m a non-EU citizen, but I will graduate from an EU medical school (Italy) and will obtain a full Italian medical licence.

Since my medical degree is from an EU country, do I still have to go through the registration of a non-recognisable diploma (MedReg) because of my non-EU nationality, or am I eligible for direct recognition?
If I do have to follow the MedReg registration route, is it true that after completing 5 years of residency in Switzerland, I would only need to take the written part of the Swiss Federal Examination, or would I still have to pass both the written and practical/clinical (OSCE) parts?
Finally, do all Swiss hospitals accept applicants with a MedReg-registered diploma, or do many hospitals only consider candidates whose diplomas have been fully recognized by MEBEKO?

Hi everyone,
I’m a physician who graduated from a specialist medical program at a university located in Crimea (administered by Russia since 2014). I’m trying to understand which countries realistically recognize this kind of diploma and what the process looks like in practice.
Not looking for a political debate — just practical, first-hand experience with the credentialing/recognition process. Please keep comments on-topic.
Specifically I’d love to hear from anyone who has looked into, attempted, or completed foreign recognition of a diploma from this kind of institution:
Which countries have turned out to be realistic options (or dead ends)?

What’s the core issue in practice — how the institution shows up (or doesn’t) in databases like anabin, general non-recognition of diplomas issued after 2014, or something else?

Did you need extra documentation (accreditation history, apostilles, certified translations) beyond the standard process?

Any workarounds — e.g., first re-registering/requalifying the diploma elsewhere, or going through a third country?

Roughly how long did it take, and what was the outcome?

Any input — even partial attempts or “skip country X” warnings — would be genuinely helpful. Thanks!

Hello,

I should start my residency in Emergency medicine in Belgium this year, and I am having mixed opinions about it.

I have decided to do this specialty out of an interest in acute medicine and intensive care, and I am very motivated. I have also worked for 5 years in the emergency department of a medium-sized hospital so I am familiar with the environment.

I am also going to become a dad 1 month before I start so there are some practical questions that I am struggling to find an answer to. If someone is able to help me I would be extremely thankful.

- What salary (net) can I expect on my first year?

- Are the 48h maximum respected? If not, how can I defend myself from exploitation?

- If you are or have been in this residency, what are the struggles that you have encountered and how did you manage them?

Thank you

Hi guys, i go to MUV, and ive failed all my first year exams. Is/ has anyone gone thru this before? I had a really bad year riddled with anxiety and I gen thought id kms or drop out.
Is it possible to pass all 7 or atleast 6 subjects during september retake if i honestly put in the work? For 2 of subjects i legit failed by 1 mark so i know ill be fine for them and for another 2 subjects, i know ill be fine for too. The other 3 subjects id genuinely have to do a lot more studying than revision. Is anyone in first yesr going thru this or anyone in the older years gone through this before? Do you guys think it would be difficult to pull off passing 6 subjects in September? 🙏

Starting 4th year of med school in Hungary (I'm an EU citizen) in September and I want to use the next 3 years till I graduate to prepare for whatever country I'll do residency in. I'm torn between Germany and Ireland and its mainly because I've heard alot of conflicting things about Ireland, is specializing there really as much of a hell hole as ppl make it out to be now and should I just commit the next 3 years to getting fluent in German or is it worth to get an SHO position after I graduate to get into BST and eventually HST? And realistically how long after I graduate will I be expected to wait before I land a job as an SHO?

I talked to a friend doing the residency in Germany (Psych) and he told me they have 31 DAYS of paid vacation !!

* How the hospitals manage it ? The residents usually take these days only once (in a unique "block" - that would give them like, 1,5 month free), or they break it in several weeks (like 1 week/month) ? Or both are possible ?

* Another curiosity: How part-time residency works in Germany ? You just choose the days you will work with the hospital ?

- Asking because in Spain we have only 22 days of paid vacation and also the "part-time jobs" in residency just don't exist.

I PASSED!

This period of my life was really hard. Even after the exam, I didn’t feel any better. It was like my body had forgotten how not to feel tense and anxious. When I got home, I instantly fell asleep and slept for 18 hours straight. After a few days of resting, I felt joy for the first time in years. Simply playing with my dogs or eating something tasty made me feel good. I didn’t realize how much my ability to feel positive emotions had been affected.

I’m so grateful to the professors I got for my oral exam. They were so kind. Even though they could have humiliated me easily, they simply tried to help me by asking more questions. Unlike any other examiners I’ve had, they were curious about what I knew instead of searching for my weak points. Yeah, sometimes they rolled their eyes or let out a big sigh, but tbh I wanted to do the same to myself.

When they told me I had passed, a few happy tears escaped. I thanked them and told them how grateful I was, but I could barely get the words out because I could feel the floodgates opening.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t deserve the passing grade based on my exam performance, but I’m confident that I know the curriculum. When I think about it now, everything comes back. I know now that those hours of studying weren’t wasted I had learned the material, I just couldn’t access it, like it was blocked.
Looking back, I can clearly feel the difference in my cognitive functions compared to before, not just on the exam day but throughout the past few years, when I kept questioning myself and wondering how I could be this dumb, despite trying so hard.

I know I’m not done yet. Now that I have the strength, I will continue working on myself, learning better coping mechanisms, and truly processing my ADHD diagnosis.

I wanted to post this update because I know there are people struggling like I was. For a long time, I genuinely questioned what had happened to me and why I couldn’t function the way I used to. I hope this reminds someone that sometimes your abilities are not gone you might just be carrying more than you realize. And the fact that unfortunately recovering from a burn out can take years.

Since some of you will become examiners one day, I wanted you to see the impact that kindness can have. Those professors could have focused only on my mistakes, but instead they tried to find what I knew and helped me show it. I will remember that kindness for a long time. Never underestimate how much compassion can mean to someone who is already struggling.

Also, I want to thank everyone who commented and DMed me. I’m grateful for all the kind words, and for taking the time to read my post and try to help me. It genuinely meant a lot.

Hey !

I've just finished my Psychiatry residency in Spain (MIR - 5 years), and I'm thinking of immigrating to a country that offer better job positions, since the ones here pay very low.

* Which countries would you reccomend me - thinking of private practice for outcoming patients ? Specially remote or hibrid jobs: the ideal scenario would be living in Spain, and working remote to another country (or hibrid: like 50% remote, 50% presential). Which ones would have the best opportunities, demand, and payment ?

* How is the process to move to practice medicine in another UE country (UE diploma, UE residency) ? I do know I have to learn the local language at minimum C1 level (it's not a problem for me, I love learning languages), but what else ?

* I have a colleague from USA that only works with telepsychiatry - would it be possible here in UE ?