Medical Degree Recognition by Country: Overview of 49 Study Destinations
08.10.2026
Short answer
Is a medical degree from abroad recognised? Overview of 49 countries: automatic EU recognition, the knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) and what it means for your licence.
Recognition of medical degrees abroad by country
528 universities in 49 countries, 154 of them in EU member states. Countries are ordered by EU membership, then alphabetically.
| Country | EU member | Universities | Recognition of the medical degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Yes | 2 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Bulgaria | Yes | 8 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Croatia | Yes | 3 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Cyprus | Yes | 3 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Czech Republic | Yes | 9 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Estonia | Yes | 2 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Germany | Yes | 4 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Greece | Yes | 5 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Hungary | Yes | 5 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Italy | Yes | 23 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Latvia | Yes | 4 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Lithuania | Yes | 3 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Malta | Yes | 4 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Netherlands | Yes | 1 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Poland | Yes | 18 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Portugal | Yes | 2 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Romania | Yes | 47 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Slovakia | Yes | 5 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Spain | Yes | 6 | Automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Albania | No | 2 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Armenia | No | 5 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Azerbaijan | No | 4 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Belarus | No | 4 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | No | 7 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Caribbean | No | 26 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| China | No | 38 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Egypt | No | 2 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Georgia | No | 23 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| India | No | 9 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Jordan | No | 5 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Kazakhstan | No | 13 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Kyrgyzstan | No | 7 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Lebanon | No | 3 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Malaysia | No | 10 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Moldova | No | 1 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Mongolia | No | 1 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Nepal | No | 9 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| North Cyprus | No | 13 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| North Macedonia | No | 2 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Oman | No | 4 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Paraguay | No | 6 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Philippines | No | 12 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Russia | No | 56 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Serbia | No | 7 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Tajikistan | No | 2 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Turkey | No | 40 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Ukraine | No | 27 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| United Arab Emirates | No | 5 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
| Uzbekistan | No | 31 | Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or licensing exam required |
Automatic recognition in the EU
A medical, dental or pharmacy degree from an EU member state is recognised automatically in every other EU and EEA country and in Switzerland, provided the programme meets the minimum training requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC. You apply for your licence with the diploma, a certificate of conformity and a language certificate for the country where you want to work. No additional exam is required.
Knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) outside the EU
For degrees from outside the EU, the licensing authority compares your programme with the national one. Graduates from outside the EU take the knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung); once it is passed, the licence is granted. Many graduates from accredited universities in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia or Central Asia complete this step successfully.
Practising outside Europe
For the USA and Canada, graduates sit the USMLE or MCCQE regardless of where they studied. Countries such as India, Pakistan or Nigeria have their own licensing exams for foreign graduates. The country page shows which route applies.
The author's view
As a Swiss-licensed dentist, I went through recognition myself. The rule I give every applicant: decide where you want to work, then choose the country of study. An EU degree keeps every door open in Europe. A degree from outside the EU can be the better choice for some, but only if the knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) is part of the plan from day one.
Marcel Kloos, founder of Medschool Experts
Summary
- 19 EU member states with automatic recognition across the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
- 30 countries outside the EU with the knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung).
- Decide where you want to work first, then choose the country of study.
Conclusion
Recognition is the most important criterion when choosing a medical school abroad. An EU degree gives you the widest choice of where to practise; a degree from outside the EU can be a good option if you plan for the knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) from the start.
If you want to know which degree will be recognised where you want to work, book a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions about medical degree recognition
Is a medical degree from an EU country recognised in Germany, Austria and Switzerland?
Yes. Degrees from EU member states are recognised automatically under Directive 2005/36/EC. You need the diploma, a certificate of conformity and proof of language skills.
What happens with a degree from outside the EU?
The licensing authority admits you to the knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung). You sit the knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung), and once you pass, you receive your licence.
Can I work in the USA with a European medical degree?
Yes, after passing the USMLE steps and ECFMG certification, provided your university is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
Does the language of instruction affect recognition?
No. An English-taught programme leads to the same degree as the national-language programme. You only need proof of language skills for the country where you want to work.
How can Medschool Experts help with recognition?
We recommend universities whose degree fits your career plan and support you with the documents for your licence. Book a free consultation.
What students say about Medschool Experts
Over 500 placements at 25+ partner universities across 10+ countries. See how our students experienced their path into medical school abroad in our student stories.
About the author
Marcel Kloos
Founder and owner of Medschool Experts, federally recognised dentist
Marcel Kloos is the founder and owner of Medschool Experts, a placement agency for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy degrees abroad. Since 2021 the team has secured more than 500 study places at 25+ partner universities in Europe and worldwide.
Study medicine abroad: Marcel's own path
Born in Stuttgart, Marcel started his degree late: at 24 he enrolled at the Medical University of Sofia, Faculty of Dental Medicine, and graduated in 2021 from the English-language programme. He went through the same steps his clients face today — nostrification of school certificates, entrance interviews, finding a flat in Sofia and later the recognition of a foreign degree. He is a federally recognised dentist.
What Marcel does at Medschool Experts
Today Marcel lives in Bern and runs Medschool Experts full-time. He visits every partner university in person, negotiates placement agreements directly with faculties and deans, and leads the free consultations in which applicants learn at which university they can start next semester. His YouTube channel on studying medicine abroad has helped thousands of applicants compare universities, costs and recognition.
Topics Marcel writes about
- Study medicine abroad independent of your high school diploma grades: universities, costs and admission
- Study dentistry, veterinary medicine or pharmacy in Europe in English
- Tuition fees and living costs at medical schools in Europe and worldwide
- Recognition of foreign medical degrees in the EU, Switzerland, the UK and the US
- Transferring between medical schools and returning home into a higher semester
All articles by Marcel Kloos are based on first-hand visits to the universities and conversations with current students. Book a free consultation to discuss your own path.
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