Study Transfer from Moldova: Switch to Foča, Niš or Malta
13.10.2026
Σύντομη απάντηση
Study transfer from Chișinău, Moldova to Foča, Niš or Malta: placement, costs and the Romanian language requirement explained.
What medical faculties are there in Moldova?
Only one provider of a complete human medicine program can be verified: the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Nicolae Testemițanu" in Chișinău. It has been teaching since 1945, is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, and runs two faculties for human medicine — one Romanian-language and one explicitly English-language.
The program lasts six years and covers 360 ECTS. The degree is Medical Doctor. Tuition fees were most recently 6,000 euros per academic year for medicine, 7,000 for dentistry, and 4,000 for pharmacy. Dormitory, insurance, and visa are not included.
Other Moldovan providers with a license for human medicine cannot be verified. Offers from Transnistria should be examined with particular caution — the territory is not recognized under international law, and a degree obtained there would have virtually no chance for German medical licensure.
Why do students transfer from Moldova?
Romanian is mandatory, and early on. The official curriculum requires 120 hours of Romanian per semester in the English-language track during semesters one through four — 480 hours and 16 ECTS in total. The reason is practical: clinical rotations begin as early as the second year of study and are conducted jointly with local students. Those who do not keep up with the language will not keep up at the bedside.
The overall cost. At 6,000 euros per academic year, Chișinău is no longer in the low-price segment. Those spending the same amount can invest it at a location closer to EU recognition.
Distance and connections. Chișinău is less accessible from Germany than most Balkan locations, and the proximity to Ukraine unsettles many families.
Recognition itself is regulated. Moldova remains a third country, but since the reform of March 2026, this is no longer a disadvantage: From November 1, 2026, the oral knowledge examination under Section 3 of the Federal Medical Licensing Code applies as the standard pathway to nationwide medical licensure for doctors from third countries. One detail remains open: whether German authorities — similar to the situation with Ukraine — require the post-diploma practical phase should be clarified on a case-by-case basis with the responsible licensing authority.
Study transfer in five steps
1. Gather documents. Transcript of Records with ECTS and grades, official curriculum, enrollment certificate, school diploma.
2. Free initial assessment. We examine which year of study an entry is realistically possible.
3. Formal review by the target university. The faculty makes a binding decision on credit recognition.
4. Application and admission. Apostilles, certifications, translations, deadlines.
5. Enrollment and settling in. Housing, residence permit, insurance.
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Where you can transfer to
Medical Faculty Foča (Bosnia and Herzegovina) — one of our core locations, around 3,500 euros per academic year. Foča typically grants very high credit recognition. Compared to Chișinău, you save an additional approximately 2,500 euros per year here.
University of Niš (Serbia) — around 6,000 euros per academic year, i.e., the same price as Chișinău, but significantly more accessible and with English-language clinical operations.
MediCampus Europeo Malta — around 14,500 euros per academic year, English-language, EU member state. The degree is automatically recognized under the EU Professional Qualifications Directive; the knowledge examination is not required.
How high the credit recognition turns out depends on the individual case
All three locations enable the highest possible credit recognition with no or minimal time loss through us. However, every case is assessed individually. General rule: typically no more than two exams may be outstanding, whose ECTS points must not exceed a maximum. The Moldovan curriculum is well documented and stated in ECTS — which works in your favor during credit recognition.
What the transfer costs
Chișinău costs 6,000 euros per academic year. Foča is 3,500, Niš likewise 6,000, Malta 14,500 euros.
Transferring to Foča is therefore immediately cost-effective. Transferring to Niš is price-neutral and improves accessibility and the language situation. Malta is the most expensive option, but saves the entire procedure under Section 3 of the Federal Medical Licensing Code — with an EU degree, the knowledge examination is waived.
There are also one-time costs for certifications, apostilles, and translations, which we factor in during the initial consultation.
Why early consultation pays off
The 480 hours of Romanian fall in the first two years of study. Those who realize they do not want to take this path usually realize it in the third or fourth semester — and that is exactly the right time for a consultation. Later, credit recognition does not become impossible, but the room for maneuver shrinks.
The initial consultation is free and non-binding.
Author's opinion
Chișinău is underestimated. The university is not a new establishment — it has been IAAR-accredited since 2022, and the curriculum is one of the most transparent I have encountered in this region, including stated ECTS for every subject. This makes credit recognition pleasantly straightforward in the event of a transfer.
What many people are not aware of is the 480 hours of Romanian. This is written in black and white in the curriculum and is not a side note, but a prerequisite for clinical rotations to function from the second year onwards. Those who commit to this get a solid education. Those who do not want to should change course early rather than spending two years hoping it will sort itself out.
Summary
- One verifiable provider: the University "Nicolae Testemițanu" in Chișinău, 6 years, 360 ECTS, degree Medical Doctor.
- 6,000 euros per academic year for medicine; dormitory, insurance, and visa are extra.
- Romanian is curriculary mandatory: 480 hours in the first two years of study, because clinical training begins in year 2.
- Third country: recognition proceeds via the oral knowledge examination — since November 2026 the accelerated standard pathway to nationwide medical licensure.
- Target locations: Foča from 3,500 euros, Niš 6,000 euros, MediCampus Europeo Malta 14,500 euros per academic year.
Moldova is a credible option with a clear language requirement. Those who accept this requirement can study well there. Those who do not want to accept it should pursue the transfer early — the well-documented curriculum makes credit recognition comparatively straightforward.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions about study transfer from Moldova
Is there more than one medical university in Moldova?
Only the University "Nicolae Testemițanu" in Chișinău can be verified for a complete human medicine program. You should not consider offers from Transnistria.
Do I really have to learn Romanian in Chișinău?
Yes. The official curriculum requires 480 hours and 16 ECTS in the first four semesters, because clinical rotations run jointly with local students from the second year of study onwards.
Is the Moldovan degree recognized in Germany?
Yes, via the oral knowledge examination. Moldova remains a third country, but since the November 2026 reform, the knowledge examination under Section 3 of the Federal Medical Licensing Code is the standard pathway — followed by nationwide medical licensure. The only open question is whether German authorities additionally require the post-diploma practical phase; the responsible licensing authority clarifies this on a case-by-case basis.
Will I lose semesters when I transfer?
The goal is the highest possible credit recognition with no or minimal time loss. The Moldovan curriculum is stated in ECTS, which facilitates credit recognition. However, decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Is the university WFME-recognized?
The university has been accredited since October 2022 by the agency IAAR, which is recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education. The national agency ANACEC itself is not.
What does the consultation cost?
Nothing. The initial assessment of your documents is free and non-binding.
Further reading
Country and university
More guides on this topic
- How Much Does It Cost to Study Medicine in Moldova? 2026 Figures
- Study Transfer from Tajikistan: Switch to Foča, Niš or Malta
- Study Transfer from Mongolia: Switch to Foča, Niš or Malta
Key terms explained
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Marcel Kloos
Swiss-licensed dentist, founder and owner of Medschool Experts
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 over 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. In Switzerland he completed the federal recognition procedure and holds a Swiss dental licence.
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 without an entrance exam: 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, placement data from Medschool Experts and conversations with current students. Book a free consultation to discuss your own path.
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