Studying Medicine in the Czech Republic and Slovakia: All Locations at a Glance
28.08.2026
Why these two countries
The Czech Republic and Slovakia have been training international medical students in English-language programmes for decades. The faculties are among the oldest in Europe, and at the same time the facilities at several locations are state of the art. Both countries are EU members, and the degrees are recognised under Directive 2005/36/EC in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. And the journey is short: several locations are within reach by train or car.
Charles University Pilsen
The Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen is one of five medical faculties of Charles University and has existed since 1945. Around 2,000 people study there today, roughly 500 of them international. The medical campus lies directly next to the university hospital and has been comprehensively modernised, including a biomedical research centre. Human medicine and dentistry each cost around 8,000 euros per semester. Its proximity to Prague and to the German border makes the location additionally attractive.
Charles University Prague
Charles University was founded in 1348 and is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The Second Faculty of Medicine is located directly on the grounds of Motol University Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Europe with around 2,410 beds. Human medicine costs around 8,660 euros per semester there, and around 8,650 euros at the Third Faculty of Medicine. Prague offers good infrastructure and short distances between university, hospitals and residential districts, at moderate costs compared with Western European cities.
Masaryk University Brno
Founded in 1919, the medical faculty is today one of the most modern training institutions in the country. Outstanding is the simulation centre, one of the largest medical training centres in Europe, where clinical scenarios are practised under realistic conditions. More than 800 international students take human medicine or dentistry in English. Fees are around 7,840 euros per semester in human medicine and around 8,250 euros in dentistry.
Which of these locations suits your profile is something we clarify in a free consultation.
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Palacky University Olomouc
The most attractively priced Czech location, at around 6,250 euros per semester in human medicine and around 7,000 euros in dentistry. Olomouc is a compact university city with correspondingly low living costs.
Comenius University Bratislava
The Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University is part of the oldest and largest university in Slovakia, founded in 1919. Several hundred international students take human medicine and dentistry in the English-language programme. Fees are around 6,500 euros per semester in human medicine and around 7,250 euros in dentistry.
The distinguishing feature is the location: Vienna airport is around 45 minutes away by car, and the city itself is compact and well organised. Anyone who already holds a qualification in a medical support profession can use this proximity and combine studies with part-time work in the Vienna area.
UPJS University Košice and Jessenius University Martin
Košice offers human medicine and dentistry in English at around 6,500 and 6,750 euros per semester respectively. Martin, at around 5,750 euros per semester in human medicine, is the most affordable location in either country and a small, quiet university town.
The locations at a glance
| University | Country | Human medicine | Dentistry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles University Pilsen | Czech Republic | 8,000 euros | 8,000 euros |
| Charles University Prague, Second Faculty | Czech Republic | 8,660 euros | – |
| Charles University Prague, Third Faculty | Czech Republic | 8,650 euros | – |
| Masaryk University Brno | Czech Republic | 7,840 euros | 8,250 euros |
| Palacky University Olomouc | Czech Republic | 6,250 euros | 7,000 euros |
| Comenius Bratislava | Slovakia | 6,500 euros | 7,250 euros |
| UPJS Košice | Slovakia | 6,500 euros | 6,750 euros |
| Jessenius Martin | Slovakia | 5,750 euros | – |
All figures are per semester and are adjusted regularly by the universities. We clarify the currently applicable terms in a personal conversation.
Credit recognition in the event of a later transfer
Experience shows that after four completed semesters in Brno, four subject semesters are recognised; in Bratislava three to four, and in Košice up to four. At Charles University Prague, full recognition of the pre-clinical phase only applies after five to six semesters. The binding decision always rests with the responsible state examination authority.
If you want to factor a later transfer to Germany into your plans, arrange a free consultation.
The author's view
For me, Brno is the most underrated location in the whole of Central Europe. A simulation centre on that scale exists at very few universities, and anyone who has been able to work through resuscitation or emergency scenarios hundreds of times in a protected environment stands differently at the bedside later on. Added to that is a good credit recognition profile, should a transfer be wanted after all.
Bratislava is a special case that I have deliberately recommended to a number of clients. Anyone who already holds a qualification in a medical support profession can live and work in Vienna and still study. That is a constellation which works this well nowhere else.
And a general point: these two countries are mentioned less often than Hungary or Bulgaria, even though the training is at least equivalent and the fees are in some cases lower. Anyone who knows the market often finds the better value for money here.
Summary
The Czech Republic and Slovakia offer what many people are looking for without knowing it: very solid training at faculties rich in tradition, modern facilities and fees in the lower middle range. Brno is the recommendation for anyone who values state-of-the-art teaching and a good credit recognition profile, Bratislava for anyone with ties to Vienna, and Martin and Olomouc for anyone on a tight budget.
You can read other students' experiences on Trustpilot. We prepare your location recommendation free of charge; book an appointment via the registration page.
- The Czech Republic and Slovakia are EU members, and the degrees are recognised under Directive 2005/36/EC in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
- Charles University Prague was founded in 1348; its Second Faculty of Medicine is located on the grounds of Motol University Hospital with around 2,410 beds.
- Masaryk University Brno operates one of the largest medical simulation centres in Europe and trains more than 800 international students.
- Comenius University Bratislava is around 45 minutes by car from Vienna airport, which makes it possible to combine studies with part-time work in the Vienna area.
- After four completed semesters, experience shows that four subject semesters are recognised in Brno, three to four in Bratislava and up to four in Košice; the binding decision rests with the responsible state examination authority.
- Teaching in the international programmes takes place in English; Czech and Slovak language courses respectively are part of the curriculum.
Further reading
- Tuition fees in Europe: all locations with costs per semester.
- Studying medicine in Poland: the neighbouring location to the north.
- Studying medicine in Hungary: the German-language alternative.
- Transferring back to Germany: the credit recognition figures in detail.
- Financing medical studies abroad: how the fees are covered.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Are the degrees recognised in Germany?
Yes. Both countries are EU members, and the state medical faculties are listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC. Recognition takes place without a knowledge examination.
What language is used for teaching?
In English. Czech and Slovak language courses respectively are part of the curriculum and are necessary for the clinical phase.
Which location is the most affordable?
Jessenius Martin in Slovakia at around 5,750 euros per semester, followed by Olomouc at around 6,250 euros and Bratislava and Košice at around 6,500 euros.
What makes Bratislava special?
Its proximity to Vienna. Vienna airport is around 45 minutes away by car, which makes studying in Bratislava practical while living in Vienna.
How good is credit recognition when transferring back?
Experience shows that in Brno four subject semesters are recognised after four semesters, in Bratislava three to four, and in Košice up to four. At Charles University Prague, full recognition of the pre-clinical phase only applies after five to six semesters.
How high are the living costs?
In Prague and Bratislava around 700 to 900 euros per month; in Brno, Pilsen, Olomouc, Košice and Martin more like 500 to 700 euros.
Which location suits me?
That depends on your budget, your preferred city, where you live and any plans for transferring back. We work through this assessment together in a free initial consultation.
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About the author
Marcel Kloos
Swiss-licensed dentist and founder of Medschool Experts
Marcel Kloos founded Medschool Experts while studying abroad; since then, over 500 study places have been secured. The Stuttgart-born dentist studied dentistry from 2015 to 2021 in Sofia and holds a Swiss dental licence.
Today he lives in Bern and runs Medschool Experts full-time as its owner.
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