Europe

Doctor jobs in Europe: wages, requirements, documents for foreigners

Regardless of the specialty, doctors are consistently in high demand. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of this profession, particularly focusing on the vital matter of finding doctor jobs in Europe.

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Despite the multitude of specialties within the medical field, all doctors share a common goal: safeguarding people's health. However, achieving this objective is increasingly challenging due to population growth, aging demographics, and rising rates of chronic illnesses and other health issues. Consequently, doctors are becoming scarce in comparison to the demand, making doctor jobs in Europe highly sought after.

Overview of the doctor's jobs in Europe

The role of a doctor encompasses a myriad of essential responsibilities within society. Primarily, doctors are tasked with diagnosing and treating illnesses while also providing preventive care to promote overall health. They manage chronic conditions and administer emergency care in critical situations.

Moreover, doctors not only attend to patients but also contribute significantly to medical research, advancing scientific knowledge. Many doctors play a pivotal role in education, imparting knowledge to future medical professionals and other healthcare practitioners.

Statistics say

In general, there exists a shortage of doctors compared to the demand, presenting a global challenge with various underlying reasons. Extensive and costly medical training may deter some individuals from entering the profession. Additionally, the demanding workload and associated emotional stress can lead to high rates of burnout among practicing doctors.

The migration of doctors to areas offering better working conditions and higher salaries also contributes to shortages in certain regions, leaving areas, particularly rural or economically disadvantaged areas, with limited access to medical services.

At the European level, there is an unequal distribution of doctors both between countries and within them. Some countries have a higher concentration of doctors, while others face chronic shortages. This disparity is influenced by factors such as access to education, working conditions, and salaries.

Source: Eurostat

The accompanying graph illustrates the number of doctors in Europe per 100,000 inhabitants, based on the latest data available from Eurostat. It highlights countries like Austria, Norway, and Spain with a high number of doctors per 100,000 inhabitants, while countries like Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Montenegro, Poland, and Albania rank lower with significantly fewer professionals per 100,000 inhabitants

Working as a doctor offers numerous advantages and disadvantages, here are some of them:

The healthcare job market is far from saturated; both private and public sectors offer abundant job opportunities. In Europe, there's a shortage of doctors in some countries, though this varies greatly depending on specialty and region within each country.

Medicine ranks among the highest-paid professions. Salaries improve with experience and recognition, especially with a medical specialty.

Medical research leads to new treatments and methods each year. Medical professionals must continually study, read specialized books and scientific articles, and attend workshops, seminars, and conferences to stay informed about advancements in their field.

Medical training allows specialization in diverse sectors, offering a wide range of opportunities and variety in choosing a preferred field.

Becoming a specialist doctor can take more than 8 years of rigorous study.

Patient lives depend on good medical practice, leading to unexpected situations such as during surgeries where patients may experience bleeding, respiratory or cardiac arrest, necessitating quick decision-making under pressure. Doctors also encounter difficult-to-manage patients and sometimes need to deliver bad news to them and their families.

Certain specialties, like emergency medicine, suffer from shift work, and doctors often sacrifice lunch breaks to handle the influx of appointment requests due to insufficient physician numbers.

It entails significant responsibilities; for instance, a mistake during surgery can have grave consequences.

Training and skills necessary to work as a doctor in Europe

Becoming a doctor, especially in Europe, and the required qualifications and skills needed for that vary. Some can start their career with caregiving, which only requires some of the certifications, while others will dedicate their time and effort to studying the sciences. Depends on the person and their approach and desired goal. While those are details, we will take a look at the common practice of becoming a healthcare specialist in Europe.

What you need to know to work in healthcare?

In Europe, medical studies are typically lengthy, lasting between 5 to 6 years to obtain a degree in medicine, equivalent to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) in many European countries.

Following this, doctors may undergo additional training, known as medical residency, lasting from 3 to 6 years or more, depending on the chosen specialty. During residency, doctors gain practical experience and specialized training in areas such as pediatrics, surgery and internal medicine among others.

For prospective students seeking the best medical education in Europe, Top Universities provides a list of leading institutions in the medical field. Topping the list are four universities in the United Kingdom and one in Sweden: the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, UCL, Karolinska Institutet, and Imperial College London.

In addition to formal education and profession-specific competencies within the healthcare sector, numerous skills are commonly valued.

Skills and aptitudes needed to work in hotel industry

Hope and care

Given the lack of effective treatments for many conditions, some professionals may experience frustration or feel limited in their ability to help.

Empathy

Compassion towards patients is crucial in healthcare, requiring the ability to easily understand and identify their emotions.

Communication

Social skills such as effective communication, assertiveness, empathy, and interpersonal engagement facilitate the progress.

Ready for stress

Medical professionals must have a strong service orientation, be prepared to handle diverse situations and manage consequent stress.

How to get a doctor job in Europe

If you're considering a career in this field in Europe, understanding the job landscape and the necessary steps for foreign doctors is crucial. From job prospects to licensure procedures, we'll provide insights to help you navigate the path to securing a doctor's job in Europe.

Which jobs are most demanded in Europe?

Determining the most in-demand medical specialties in Europe is complex due to the vast array of specialties, varying demand between countries, and limited statistical data available for all specialties in each country.

Stats and facts

To gain insight, Eurostat data can be analysed, showcasing the number of professionals in different specialties per 100,000 inhabitants across countries. A low concentration of professionals per 100,000 inhabitants in a specific specialty within a country may indicate strong demand and job opportunities.

From the graphs, Portugal ranks favorably for general practitioners, while Hungary, Montenegro, and Croatia show lower values. For specialists, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Germany lead, while France, Ireland, and Turkey lag behind. Similarly, in the surgeon category, Germany, Bulgaria, and Lithuania top the list, with France, Turkey, and the Netherlands at the bottom.

What papers do you need to work as a foreigner?

To work as a doctor in Europe, multiple requirements must be met, falling into two main categories: residency requirements and requirements for practicing medicine in the country. While they may seem separate, they are closely related, as residency often depends on securing a job contract, which, in turn, relies on meeting the requirements to practice medicine in the country.

These requirements can vary depending on factors such as your circumstances, family situation, country of origin, educational level, specialty to be practiced, destination country, and many other variables.

Language proficiency

While English is often a basic requirement, fluency in the local language is crucial for effective communication with patients. So, if you are wondering if Indian doctors can work in Europe, the answer is clearly yes, and American doctors can practice in Europe too but unless their destination is the UK they will certainly have to learn the language of the destination country.

Qualifications to work

The first step to working as a doctor in Europe is obtaining recognition for your academic degrees. Homologation requirements vary by destination country and specialisation area. Significant differences between your training and that of the chosen country may require adaptation courses or aptitude tests. This process can take three to six months in some countries, so it's essential to start early to avoid delays.

Licence for medical practice

Medical practice is heavily regulated, and obtaining a license to practice in the country may require passing specific exams, depending on the country.

Stable employment

Proficiency in the local language and recognised academic qualifications are essential, but securing a job is necessary before moving to your destination country. A job contract is a requirement for residency.

Residency papers

Even with a job contract, obtaining a residence permit in the destination country is necessary. Required documents typically include recent passport photos, a passport copy, proof of accommodation, an employment contract, and the applicable visa fee. For a clearer understanding of the requirements specific to your case, it's advisable to visit the European Union immigration page, where you can easily find all the necessary information based on your circumstances.

How to get a job as a doctor in Europe?

If you're interested in healthcare and wondering where to find doctor jobs in Europe, we'll address your concerns, we’ll explore top job portals, and examine prime job-hunting locations. Additionally, we'll take a look at freelance opportunities.

Job research online and offline

The best place to research the job market is online, with numerous job portals hosting thousands of job postings. These platforms allow you to filter job offers based on your desired sector, educational level, or required work experience.

Job websites
Among the various portals, some offer international or European-level job opportunities, while others are more local, focusing primarily on specific countries. International portals include eures.europa.eu (the European Union's portal), eurojobs.com, eurojobsites.com, experteer.com, indeed.com, page.com and LinkedIn.com.
Networking and personal approach
Another effective approach to job hunting is leveraging your network of contacts. Utilising your professional network is one of the most efficient ways to find employment. Reach out to individuals in your network who work in your field in Europe, whether they are friends, former classmates who have relocated to Europe and are now working there, or former colleagues from your home country who have emigrated to Europe.
LinkedIn sources
LinkedIn can also be a valuable tool for connecting with professionals in the medical field, even if you don't know them personally. When reaching out, be sure to introduce yourself and explain why you're contacting them. Some individuals may be willing to assist you. Additionally, try to expand your professional network by joining professional organisations or attending industry events.

Freelance and interim work in the healthcare

Depending on their specialisation, freelance work can be an appealing option for doctors in Europe. For instance, doctors who operate their own clinics find independence and flexibility in managing their practice. However, for certain specialties like surgery, freelance work can be more challenging as it often requires access to hospital facilities and specialised equipment. Nonetheless, many doctors opt for a hybrid approach, dividing their time between hospital work and private consultations.

To work independently, doctors typically need to look at the following points, but these are just some of the most important, there may be more things to take into account:

Finding a suitable location to attend to patients is crucial. This may involve leasing or purchasing office space equipped with examination rooms, medical equipment, and administrative facilities.
Doctors must ensure compliance with health and safety regulations to provide a safe and hygienic environment for patients.
Setting up a private practice often requires investment in medical equipment, supplies, and technology to deliver high-quality care. This includes diagnostic tools, treatment modalities, electronic health record systems, and communication platforms for patient engagement.
Doctors must consider staffing needs, such as hiring receptionists, nurses, or administrative staff, to support the smooth operation of the practice.
Obtaining professional insurance coverage is essential to protect against liabilities and legal claims. This includes medical malpractice insurance to safeguard against allegations of negligence or errors in patient care.
Depending on the country and the specific requirements, doctors may also need to register with professional medical associations or regulatory bodies to practice independently.

If you plan to have a private medical practice you will probably also need an office for appointments and an account on Doctena.lu or any other resource for patients.

Working as a doctor in Luxembourg for foreigners

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Salaries of doctors in Europe in 2024

Given the wide range of specialisations and the influence of various factors such as experience, salary ranges vary significantly. For insight into doctor salaries in Europe, we refer to data from the International Labour Organization on monthly salaries in the healthcare and social services sector in Europe.

According to this data, Iceland, Denmark, Belarus, and Switzerland top the list with salaries exceeding 5000 dollars monthly, while Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania are at the bottom with salaries below 1000 dollars monthly.