Spain is another country our graduates ask about. A medical degree from Poland is recognised there free of charge by the Ministry of Health, while a degree from Ukraine or Georgia goes through homologation. Work in the public health system and specialist training require the MIR residency. We describe what each of these routes looks like.
Who decides
Medical degrees from the EU are recognised by the Ministerio de Sanidad (Ministry of Health). Degrees from outside the EU are homologated, that is, declared equivalent to the Spanish degree, by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities). When there is no general decision for a university, the national quality agency ANECA assesses the degree.
A degree from Ukraine or Georgia step by step
- Application for homologation You apply to the Ministry of Science and pay the fee with form 790-107.
- Spanish B2 You prove Spanish at B2 level. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt, and so are people who completed at least 75% of their studies, or their school education before university, in Spanish.
- ANECA assessment If no general decision covers your university, ANECA compares your studies with the Spanish ones: at least 5 years and 360 ECTS or 5,500 hours of in-person teaching, and at least 1,350 hours of supervised clinical practice.
- Decision The ministry has 6 months to decide. With smaller gaps the homologation can be conditional: you then complete complementary requirements within 4 years, for example a practice period, an aptitude test or courses at a Spanish university.
- Homologation With a homologated degree you can work as a doctor without a specialty in the private sector.
Ten Ukrainian universities
On the ministry’s June 2026 list, 10 Ukrainian medical universities have a favourable general decision (FAVORABLE) for medicine, including the universities of Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Luhansk and Odesa, which are in our offer. Applications from their graduates are processed faster, although the other requirements, such as Spanish at B2 level, still apply. If your university is not on the list, this is not a refusal: ANECA will assess your degree.
If no decision is notified within 6 months, the application can be treated as refused by administrative silence. If you do not complete the complementary requirements within 4 years, the homologation lapses, and the same degree cannot be submitted for homologation again.
A degree from Poland
In Spain, doctor is a profession with direct recognition of EU qualifications. You apply to the Ministerio de Sanidad electronically only, and the procedure is free of charge. Among other documents you send a certificate that your qualifications meet the requirements of the directive and a certificate from your medical authority confirming that you may practise without restrictions (Certificate of Good Standing), no older than 3 months.
For Poland, the qualification under the directive consists of the degree, a passed Final Medical Examination (LEK) and a completed postgraduate internship. LEK can be taken in English. A LEK question bank is available on Medmigrant, our learning platform.
A degree from Ukraine or Georgia that another EU country has already recognised can take the EU route if you have 3 years of certified professional experience in that country and a certificate confirming that the first recognition met the minimum requirements of the directive.
MIR residency and specialist training
Homologation alone allows you to work as a doctor without a specialty in the private sector. To work in the public health system and for any specialty you need the MIR residency (médico interno residente) or the recognition of a specialist title by the Ministerio de Sanidad.
The MIR 2026 call has 9,676 places, and the exam takes place on 23 January 2027. A foreign degree had to be homologated or recognised by the close of applications on 14 September 2026. 968 places are open to people without a Spanish residence permit, and Spanish has to be proved at least at C1 level, with some exemptions.
The Ministerio de Sanidad assesses a specialist title from outside the EU under Royal Decree 459/2010, after the medical degree has been homologated. The committee can refuse, or set a paid practice period of up to 3 months, complementary training of up to 9 months, or a theoretical and practical exam followed by a practice period. After a refusal you can apply again after 2 years.
Frequently asked questions
Will Spain recognise a medical degree from Ukraine?
Yes, through homologation. Graduates of the 10 Ukrainian universities with a favourable general decision have a faster procedure, and ANECA assesses degrees from other universities individually.
What level of Spanish do I need?
For the homologation of a degree from outside the EU you need B2 level, and for the MIR residency C1 level.
How can Edumetric help?
We help you choose a university, including one with a favourable general decision, and plan your studies with work in Spain in mind. Book a free consultation.
Read also: Studying medicine in Ukraine: is it a good idea?, Studying medicine in Georgia: admission, costs and recognition in the UK and Studying medicine in Poland in English: admission, tuition and what comes next. We write about work in other countries in Working as a doctor in Germany with a degree from Ukraine, Georgia or Poland and Working as a doctor in the UK with a degree from Ukraine, Georgia or Poland. You will find all universities in the university directory.
Have questions about studying abroad?
An Edumetric adviser will answer your questions and put together a list of universities with their costs. The consultation is free.