CONSULTANCy CENTRE
of Med-Integro project
GENERAL INFORMATION
ON THE RECOGNITION OF DIPLOMAS OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
IN SLOVAKIA
A health professional in Slovakia 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).
The procedure for the recognition of diplomas of foreign doctors in Slovakia is established by Act No. 422/2015 on the Recognition of Documents on Education and Recognition of Qualifications, on Amending and Supplementing Certain Acts. You can read this law in detail at the following link.
WHAT IS NECESSARY
FOR EMPLOYMENT OF A FOREIGN MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
IN SLOVAKIA
FOR EMPLOYMENT OF A FOREIGN MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
IN SLOVAKIA
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"
SLOVAK LANGUAGE LEARNING
DETAILS EMPLOYMENT FOR REFUGEES
The possibility of employment for foreign medical professionals with the status of "temporary protection" ("dočasné útočisko") on the territory of Slovakia.
INTERNSHIP
Optional internship (Odborná stáž) as a "Medical Assistant" (Pomocný pracovník v zdravotníctve) with a maximum period of 18 months.
CONFIRMATION OF QUALIFICATION
includes the successful completion of a medical examination - doplňujúca skúška.
DEFINITIVE VALIDATION
(Rozhodnutie)
involves receiving a final document (Decision) from the Slovak Ministry of Education.
involves receiving a final document (Decision) from the Slovak Ministry of Education.
RESIDENCE PERMIT
Obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit card and undergoing a mandatory medical check-up.
CHAMBER OF PHYSICIANS
Registration in the Slovak Chamber of Physicians (Slovenská lekárska komora (SLK)).
SPECIALIZATION
Recognition of specialization, in cases of existence and willingness to confirm.
DIPLOMA RECOGNITION
The Slovak Ministry of Education is conducting the first stage of diploma recognition. It can be done remotely, i.e. without being in Slovakia, if you have an authorized person. At the time of submission, you must submit a full package of documents with a translation into Slovak. Translations and notarization of documents are recommended in Slovakia.
The period of document review is up to 2 months.
The period of document review is up to 2 months.
MORE DETAILS
SLOVAK LANGUAGE LEARNING
To take the exam and work in the future, it is necessary to have a quite good level of proficiency in the Slovak language.
You can start learning it by yourself using the free portal: www.slovake.eu (general Slovak language) or specialized online/offline Slovak lessons and courses for medical professionals on our platform.
You can start learning it by yourself using the free portal: www.slovake.eu (general Slovak language) or specialized online/offline Slovak lessons and courses for medical professionals on our platform.
LIST OF COURSES
EMPLOYMENT FOR REFUGEES
Ukrainian residents granted temporary protection ("dočasné útočisko") have the same access to the labor market as Slovak citizens (except for government employee positions).
They can be employed under a labor contract or in the form of an agreement.
They can be employed under a labor contract or in the form of an agreement.
INTERNSHIP
The 18-month internship includes working in the Slovak health care system as a medical assistant (pomocný pracovník v zdravotníctve), after receiving a Decision from the Slovak Ministry of Health on the nostrification of the diploma and is carried out following Act No. 578/2004 on the provision of health care, on "Health professionals and professional organizations in the health care system, on amendments and supplements to certain acts".
After completing the work, the trainee can take an exam to confirm their qualification.
The internship provides an opportunity to work in Slovak medical institutions under the supervision of a Slovak doctor (nurse, dentist, etc.) and to gain some language and practical experience.
After completing the work, the trainee can take an exam to confirm their qualification.
The internship provides an opportunity to work in Slovak medical institutions under the supervision of a Slovak doctor (nurse, dentist, etc.) and to gain some language and practical experience.
CONFIRMATION OF QUALIFICATION
The confirmation of qualification involves passing a medical examination in Slovak (doplňujúca skúška).
The examination includes 2 stages:
1) Written stage - test control consisting of questions on 4 basic medical subjects (in case of doctors: internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery) as well as on the legal part (questions on the laws of the Slovak Republic related to health care);
2) Oral stage, involving oral answers to questions on the above-mentioned disciplines.
This examination takes place several times a year (usually in the fall - spring).
In order to register for the examination, it is necessary to submit a package of documents with a translation into Slovak. In case of failure to pass the exam, the exam can be retaken.
The examination includes 2 stages:
1) Written stage - test control consisting of questions on 4 basic medical subjects (in case of doctors: internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery) as well as on the legal part (questions on the laws of the Slovak Republic related to health care);
2) Oral stage, involving oral answers to questions on the above-mentioned disciplines.
This examination takes place several times a year (usually in the fall - spring).
In order to register for the examination, it is necessary to submit a package of documents with a translation into Slovak. In case of failure to pass the exam, the exam can be retaken.
MORE DETAILS
DEFINITIVE VALIDATION
This step is an automatic process whereby the Ministry of Education issues a final Decision (Rozhodnutie) after submitting a report of successful completion of the medical examination (doplňujúca skúška).
The Decision entitles the doctor to work in medical institutions of the Slovak 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 Slovak health care system as a non-certified doctor (i.e. a doctor without specialization).
EMPLOYMENT
According to official data, Slovakia is currently facing an acute shortage of doctors and nurses. The Ministry of Health has published in media sources statistical information about the shortage of 5,500 doctors and 4,000 nurses.
Information about vacancies in Slovak medical institutions is posted on the official internet portal of the State Employment Center (Úrad práce sociálních vecí a rodiny). However, most often it concerns doctors with Slovak specialization or the offered vacancies for physicians are not demanded for certain reasons.
Information about vacancies in Slovak medical institutions is posted on the official internet portal of the State Employment Center (Úrad práce sociálních vecí a rodiny). However, most often it concerns doctors with Slovak specialization or the offered vacancies for physicians are not demanded for certain reasons.
JOB OFFERS
RESIDENCE PERMIT
The stage includes the preparation and collection of documents.
The documents are submitted at the police station according to the place of residence registration in Slovakia (for citizens of visa-free countries) or at the consulate or embassy of the Slovak 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 (highly qualified specialists).
The documents are submitted at the police station according to the place of residence registration in Slovakia (for citizens of visa-free countries) or at the consulate or embassy of the Slovak 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 (highly qualified specialists).
CHAMBER OF PHYSICIANS
According to Act No. 578/2004 on the "Provision of health care, on health professionals and professional organizations in the health care system, amending and supplementing certain laws", a general practitioner must be registered in the Chamber of Physicians (Slovenská lekárska komora (SLK)).
To register with the SLK, it is necessary to submit a package of documents and pay the registration fee.
To register with the SLK, 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 Slovakia, you have to go through the procedure of specialization recognition.
The process can be started only after the recognition of your diploma in the medical speciality and confirmation of qualification (passing a medical exam).
Certificates and other documents confirming the specialization must be submitted for recognition. The number of years of the study program in the country of specialization and Slovakia must coincide.
It is also possible to obtain a specialization directly in Slovakia upon referral from an employer by passing an entrance examination.
The process can be started only after the recognition of your diploma in the medical speciality and confirmation of qualification (passing a medical exam).
Certificates and other documents confirming the specialization must be submitted for recognition. The number of years of the study program in the country of specialization and Slovakia must coincide.
It is also possible to obtain a specialization directly in Slovakia upon referral from an employer by passing an entrance examination.
ESTIMATED EXPENSES
- Translation of documents into Slovak (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 Slovak language to choose from
- Registration in the Chamber of Physicians (Slovenská lekárska komora (SLK)) — 13 euros once and 15 euros annually for membership
- Additional costs (minimum 300 Eur / month per person): Housing, Food, Transportation.
**Data are for 2022.
Project implementers
