Our graduates also ask about Switzerland. Here the rules clearly depend on the country of your degree: a Polish degree is recognised by the federal commission MEBEKO, while with a degree from Ukraine or Georgia other routes lead to work, through recognition in an EU country or through the Swiss federal diploma. We describe them step by step.
Who decides
Degrees from the EU and EFTA are recognised by MEBEKO (Medizinalberufekommission, the Federal Commission for the Medical Professions) at the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). MEBEKO also decides on admission to the federal exam for people whose degree cannot be recognised. The federal register of medical professionals, MedReg, also records language skills, and a language entry requires at least B2 level.
A degree from Poland
A Polish medical degree is an EU degree, so you apply to MEBEKO for its recognition. For Poland, the full 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. LEK questions are available on Medmigrant, our learning platform.
You file the language entry for MedReg together with your application for recognition or registration of your degree. Proof can be an internationally recognised language diploma at least at B2 level, a degree or specialist training completed in that language, or documented work experience in that language. Each language entry costs CHF 50 to 100. Your language skills for a specific job are checked by the employer when you work under supervision, or by the canton when you work on your own professional responsibility.
A degree from Ukraine or Georgia step by step
According to the BAG, a degree from outside the EU and EFTA cannot in principle be recognised in Switzerland. An indirect recognition is possible, however, if you meet all of these conditions:
- an EU or EFTA country has already recognised your degree;
- you are a citizen of Switzerland or of an EU or EFTA country, or your spouse is;
- in the country that recognised the degree you have full rights to practise, and the first recognition met the minimum requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC;
- you have at least 3 years of clinical experience within the last 5 years, in that country or in Switzerland.
If an indirect recognition is not an option, you can register your degree with MEBEKO and earn the Swiss federal diploma. For the registration, your degree must entitle you to work under supervision in the country that issued it, and your education must meet the minimum number of hours and years of theoretical and practical teaching.
- Registration of the degree MEBEKO registers your degree. The fee is CHF 800 to 1,200, and processing currently takes up to 5 months.
- Clinical work in Switzerland You work clinically in Switzerland, provided the cantonal health authorities allow supervised work: at least 36 months full-time equivalent before the full federal exam, or at least 60 months if you want to take only the theory part.
- Federal exam MEBEKO admits you to the exam: after 36 months to the full exam, after 60 months only to the theory part, a multiple-choice test in two parts. Registrations are accepted until 31 March of the exam year.
- Federal diploma Once you pass the exam, you hold the Swiss federal diploma as a doctor.
Registration is not admission to the exam
The registration of your degree alone does not entitle you to enrol for the federal exam or to work. The cantonal health authorities decide on supervised work, and MEBEKO decides on admission to the exam.
The third route is a master’s degree in human medicine at a Swiss university followed by the federal exam. The university decides on crediting your previous studies and on admission.
Frequently asked questions
Will Switzerland recognise a medical degree from Ukraine?
Not directly, because a degree from outside the EU and EFTA cannot in principle be recognised. You can work there after an indirect recognition, once an EU or EFTA country has recognised your degree, or with the Swiss federal diploma, which you earn after registering your degree and working clinically in Switzerland.
What language level do I need?
The language entry in MedReg requires at least B2 level. Proof can be a language diploma, studies or specialist training in that language, or work experience in that language.
How can Edumetric help?
We help you choose a university and plan your studies with work in Switzerland in mind, and, if you wish, a transfer to studies in Poland. 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 the other German-speaking countries in Working as a doctor in Germany with a degree from Ukraine, Georgia or Poland and Working as a doctor in Austria with a degree from Ukraine, Georgia or Poland. You will find all universities in the university directory.
Have questions about studying abroad?
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