High Salaries or Opportunities for Research? A Complete Guide to Relocation

How Can Doctors and Lawyers Move Abroad? High salaries or the opportunity to engage in academic research? As a doctor or a lawyer, you have excellent prospects for building an exciting career not only in your home country. With the appropriate language skills, you can also work abroad. Of course, studying medicine or law abroad is often an ideal starting point for an international career, but not everyone has access to such opportunities. In this article, we explore the details of relocation for highly qualified professionals.

DOCTORS

Understanding the country's healthcare system is a fundamental prerequisite for assessing the possibilities of organizing medical practice abroad. At the same time, obtaining a job in the U.S. or Europe continues to be the goal for many foreign doctors, despite the fact that recognition as a licensed physician is a complex bureaucratic process that can significantly complicate relocation.

Another clear obstacle is that some countries are practically inaccessible to Russian-speaking medical professionals due to the limited number of issued permits (e.g., France, Italy). More favorable countries for relocation include: the Czech Republic, Germany, Turkey, Spain, Greece, and Montenegro.

Approximate Steps to Obtain Official Medical Licensure:

  • Check whether the destination country has an immigration program for doctors and understand the requirements.
  • Submit your diploma for nostrification to validate your education and work experience (Note: this process may take 6–18 months).
  • While waiting for results, enroll in language preparation courses.
  • Pass exams certifying your foreign language proficiency. For English-speaking countries, this typically means an IELTS score of 7.5 or higher.
  • After nostrification, take written and oral exams to confirm your medical qualifications. In some countries, this might include a comprehensive national exam.
  • In some countries, you will need to enroll in an internship or residency program to be eligible for the final exams (e.g., Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, USA, Canada).
  • Complete a probationary medical practice period on a minimal salary.
  • Obtain official status as a practicing physician.

What Is the Nostrification Procedure? Nostrification is an expert assessment of the equivalence of your foreign education. It involves a detailed review of your credentials and medical qualifications to ensure safe professional practice.

Working Conditions for Doctors Abroad: Financial reasons often favor relocating abroad. But when choosing a country, you should also consider:

  • Quality of working conditions
  • Income tax rate
  • Standard of living
  • Maximum weekly working hours

Examples:

  • Switzerland: 50 hours/week
  • Sweden, Germany, UK: 40 hours/week
  • USA: up to 80 hours/week

Where Can I Get Information About Medical Licensing? For licensing issues, contact national Ministries of Health and Medical Councils or Associations.

Will I Need to Take a Lot of Exams? If EU-trained doctors want to practice in non-European countries, professional recognition is handled case-by-case. It's strongly recommended to contact both the local medical board and the organization responsible for recognizing academic degrees. In the U.S., this is the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (www.ecfmg.org). Some countries have mutual recognition agreements.

Is English Enough or Must I Know the Local Language? Absolutely not. Medical licensing exams are typically conducted in the national language, and you’ll need to pass language exams with high scores. Still, your native language can be a strong asset in big cities like Berlin or Prague, where you’ll be in demand among expats.

Where Do Doctors Earn the Most Abroad? The top-paying countries are the USA and Australia, although the path is highly competitive.

Salaries:

  • USA: $50,000–$240,000 per year
  • Germany: €4,500–€8,700/month depending on seniority
  • Switzerland/Norway: €9,900–€11,310/month (gross)
  • UK: €36,000–€63,000/year
  • Czech Republic: €2,300/month
  • Italy: €3,400/month
  • Spain: €2,300/month
  • Greece: €2,000/month

Country-Specific Information Germany: To work in Germany, foreign-trained doctors must obtain a state license: either “Approbation” (full medical license) or “Berufserlaubnis” (temporary permit). Language requirements: B2 (CEFR) + medical language exam at level C1. Info: https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/

Czech Republic: All documents must be submitted in Czech (translated and certified). Recommended universities for nostrification:

United Kingdom: All doctors must register with the General Medical Council (GMC), which covers both NHS and private sectors.

  • Temporary registration: for recent graduates for 1 year only
  • Full registration: requires internship and language qualification (IELTS 7.5+)
  • PLAB exam (or OET) for foreign-trained doctors
  • Specialist registration requires a CCT or CESR Info: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk and https://www.nhsemployers.org

Turkey: Foreign doctors must pass a Turkish language exam (minimum B).

  • Diploma must be validated by YÖK (including STS exam)
  • A work visa is required
  • For residency training: TUS exam Info: https://www.yok.gov.tr/en

Montenegro:

  • Nostrification in Serbian
  • Proof of language proficiency
  • License from the Montenegrin Medical Chamber
  • Temporary permits possible (e.g., for foreign doctors with short-term contracts)

Pharma & Healthcare Career Alternatives: If clinical practice is not currently an option, consider careers in:

  • Pharmaceutical R&D
  • Quality control/regulatory affairs
  • Medical marketing and sales
  • Health education and communication

Roles:

  • Medical Advisor – Medical writing, staff training, product support
  • Account Manager – Key client relationship manager
  • Market Access Manager – Navigate product launches and compliance
  • Medical Science Liaison (MSL) – Scientific liaison between pharma and healthcare professionals
  • Clinical Research Analyst / Administrator / Research Engineer – Clinical trial support, data analysis, documentation

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