CONSULTANCy CENTRE
of Med-Integro project
GENERAL INFORMATION
ON THE RECOGNITION OF DIPLOMAS OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
A health professional in the Czech Republic is a regulated profession, i.e. it requires the availability and confirmation of specialized knowledge (fulfilment of qualification requirements stated in the country's legislation).
In the Czech Republic, the process for recognizing foreign medical diplomas is governed by Act No. 111/1998 Coll. on Higher Education Institutions. Foreign doctors wishing to practice must have their education recognized through a process called nostrification.
WHAT IS NECESSARY
FOR EMPLOYMENT OF A FOREIGN MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
FOR EMPLOYMENT OF A FOREIGN MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
DIPLOMA RECOGNITION
Recognition (nostrification) of education document (Uznanie vzdelania) —
of the diploma in the speciality "medical science", "dentistry", "pharmacy", "nursing"
of the diploma in the speciality "medical science", "dentistry", "pharmacy", "nursing"
CZECH LANGUAGE LEARNING
DETAILS EMPLOYMENT FOR REFUGEES
The possibility of employment for foreign medical professionals with the status of "temporary protection" ("dočasný přístřešek") on the territory of the Czech Republic.
INTERNSHIP
Optional internship (Stáž) as a "Medical Assistant" (Zdravotní asistent) with a maximum period of 18 months.
CONFIRMATION OF QUALIFICATION
includes the successful completion of a medical examination - doplňující zkouška.
DEFINITIVE VALIDATION
(Rozhodnutí) involves receiving a final document (Decision) from the Czech Ministry of Education.
RESIDENCE PERMIT
Obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit card and undergoing a mandatory medical check-up.
CHAMBER OF PHYSICIANS
Registration in the Czech Medical Chamber (Česká lékařská komora, ČLK).
SPECIALIZATION
Recognition of specialization, in cases of existence and willingness to confirm.
DIPLOMA RECOGNITION
The Czech Ministry of Education is conducting the first stage of diploma recognition. This process can be done remotely if you appoint an authorized representative. When submitting the application, a complete set of documents with translations into Czech is required. It is recommended that translations and document notarization are performed in the Czech Republic.
The document review period is up to 2 months.
The document review period is up to 2 months.
CZECH LANGUAGE LEARNING
To take the exam and work in the future, it is necessary to have a good level of proficiency in the Czech language.
You can start learning it independently using free resources, such as general Czech language portals or specialized online/offline Czech lessons and courses for medical professionals offered on various platforms.
You can start learning it independently using free resources, such as general Czech language portals or specialized online/offline Czech lessons and courses for medical professionals offered on various platforms.
LIST OF COURSES
EMPLOYMENT FOR REFUGEES
Ukrainian residents granted temporary protection in the Czech Republic have the same access to the labor market as Czech citizens, with some exceptions for government positions. They do not need a work permit and can be employed immediately upon securing a job.
This is facilitated by the Lex Ukraine law, which streamlines employment and residency processes for Ukrainian refugees, including automatic enrollment in public health insurance upon receiving temporary protection status.
This is facilitated by the Lex Ukraine law, which streamlines employment and residency processes for Ukrainian refugees, including automatic enrollment in public health insurance upon receiving temporary protection status.
INTERNSHIP
The 18-month internship includes working in the Czech health care system as a medical assistant (pomocný zdravotnický pracovník), after receiving a decision from the Czech Ministry of Health on the recognition (nostrifikace) of the diploma, in accordance with Act No. 95/2004 on the conditions for obtaining and recognizing professional qualifications and specialized qualifications to practice as a physician, dentist, or pharmacist.
After completing the internship, the trainee can take an approbation exam to confirm their qualification.
The internship allows trainees to work in Czech medical institutions under the supervision of a Czech physician (nurse, dentist, etc.), gaining both language and practical experience.
After completing the internship, the trainee can take an approbation exam to confirm their qualification.
The internship allows trainees to work in Czech medical institutions under the supervision of a Czech physician (nurse, dentist, etc.), gaining both language and practical experience.
CONFIRMATION OF QUALIFICATION
The confirmation of qualification involves passing a medical examination in Czech (doplňující zkouška).
The examination consists of two stages:
1) Written stage - a test covering four main medical subjects (for doctors: internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery) as well as legal questions regarding the healthcare laws of the Czech Republic.
2) Oral stage - candidates are required to answer questions orally on the subjects mentioned above.
This examination is held several times a year, typically in the spring and fall.
To register for the examination, a complete package of documents, including translations into Czech, must be submitted. If a candidate fails the exam, they are allowed to retake it.
The examination consists of two stages:
1) Written stage - a test covering four main medical subjects (for doctors: internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery) as well as legal questions regarding the healthcare laws of the Czech Republic.
2) Oral stage - candidates are required to answer questions orally on the subjects mentioned above.
This examination is held several times a year, typically in the spring and fall.
To register for the examination, a complete package of documents, including translations into Czech, must be submitted. If a candidate fails the exam, they are allowed to retake it.
DEFINITIVE VALIDATION
This step is an automatic process whereby the Ministry of Education issues a final Decision (Rozhodnutí) after submitting a report of successful completion of the medical examination (doplňující zkouška).
The Decision entitles the doctor to work in medical institutions of the Czech health care system as a non-certified doctor (i.e., a doctor without specialization)
The Decision entitles the doctor to work in medical institutions of the Czech health care system as a non-certified doctor (i.e., a doctor without specialization)
EMPLOYMENT
According to official data, the Czech Republic is currently facing an acute shortage of doctors and nurses. The Ministry of Health has published statistical information about the shortage of approximately 5,500 doctors and 10,000 nurses.
Information about vacancies in Czech medical institutions is posted on the official portal of the Czech Labor Office (Úřad práce České republiky). However, most often these vacancies are for positions requiring Czech specialization, or the offered positions may not be in high demand for other reasons.
Information about vacancies in Czech medical institutions is posted on the official portal of the Czech Labor Office (Úřad práce České republiky). However, most often these vacancies are for positions requiring Czech specialization, or the offered positions may not be in high demand for other reasons.
JOB OFFERS
RESIDENCE PERMIT
The stage includes the preparation and collection of documents.
The documents are submitted at the police station based on the place of residence registration in the Czech Republic (for citizens of visa-exempt countries) or at the consulate or embassy of the Czech Republic.
A residence permit with employment can be obtained for up to 90 days, or up to 30 days based on the EU Blue Card (for highly qualified specialists).
The documents are submitted at the police station based on the place of residence registration in the Czech Republic (for citizens of visa-exempt countries) or at the consulate or embassy of the Czech Republic.
A residence permit with employment can be obtained for up to 90 days, or up to 30 days based on the EU Blue Card (for highly qualified specialists).
CHAMBER OF PHYSICIANS
According to Act No. 95/2004 on the 'Conditions for obtaining and recognizing professional qualifications and specialized qualifications to practice as a physician, dentist, or pharmacist,' a general practitioner must be registered in the Czech Medical Chamber (Česká lékařská komora, ČLK).
To register with the ČLK, it is necessary to submit a package of documents and pay the registration fee.
To register with the ČLK, it is necessary to submit a package of documents and pay the registration fee.
SPECIALIZATION
If you have a specialization and wish to confirm it in the Czech Republic, you must go through the procedure for recognition of specialization.
This process can be started only after the recognition of your diploma in the relevant medical specialty and confirmation of qualification (passing the medical exam).
Certificates and other documents confirming your specialization must be submitted for recognition. The number of years in the study program for the country of specialization and the Czech Republic must align.
It is also possible to obtain a specialization directly in the Czech Republic, upon referral from an employer, by passing an entrance examination.
This process can be started only after the recognition of your diploma in the relevant medical specialty and confirmation of qualification (passing the medical exam).
Certificates and other documents confirming your specialization must be submitted for recognition. The number of years in the study program for the country of specialization and the Czech Republic must align.
It is also possible to obtain a specialization directly in the Czech Republic, upon referral from an employer, by passing an entrance examination.
ESTIMATED EXPENSES
- Translation of documents into Czech (price of a court translation of one page — 20-25 Eur *
- Confirmation of original documents with a notary *
- Medical examination — 780 Eur (general practitioner, dentist), 200 Eur (nurse), 1140 Eur
- Recognition of specialization — individually in each field - Language course — there are free and paid courses for learning the Czech language to choose from
- Registration in the Chamber of Physicians (Česká lékařská komora (ČLK)) — 13 euros once and 15 euros annually for membership
- Additional costs (minimum 300 Eur / month per person): Housing, Food, Transportation.
*The final amount of all fees depends on the number of documents, the price of translation, insurance and also the fees of the intermediary.
**Data are for 2022.
- Confirmation of original documents with a notary *
- Medical examination — 780 Eur (general practitioner, dentist), 200 Eur (nurse), 1140 Eur
- Recognition of specialization — individually in each field - Language course — there are free and paid courses for learning the Czech language to choose from
- Registration in the Chamber of Physicians (Česká lékařská komora (ČLK)) — 13 euros once and 15 euros annually for membership
- Additional costs (minimum 300 Eur / month per person): Housing, Food, Transportation.
*The final amount of all fees depends on the number of documents, the price of translation, insurance and also the fees of the intermediary.
**Data are for 2022.
Project implementers
