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Medical professionals are in high demand in France, and they have a great deal of respect and autonomy from the public. There is a vast range of medical-related job opportunities for working as a doctor in France and a unique way of life. But if you want to immigrate to France as a doctor, you must go through many steps. This guide aims to help you achieve this goal.

Are Doctors in Demand in France?

Yes, doctors are needed in France. The country has seen a steady increase in practicing physicians, indicating a constant need for them. France also requires skilled doctors in multiple medical specialties. Here are some specialists that France is looking for:

  • Anesthesia
  • Pneumology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Cardiology
  • Urology
  • Dermatology
  • Gynecology
  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  • Family medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Podiatry
  • Psychiatry

How to Immigrate to France as a Doctor?

Let’s address the elephant in the room and answer: “How to work as a doctor in France?” To immigrate to France as a doctor, you must go through these steps:

  1. Getting qualification recognition
  2. Having language proficiency
  3. Registration with the French medical council
  4. Finding a Job
  5. Getting work visa and residency permit
  6. Professional liability insurance
  7. Cultural integration
  8. Legal and financial matters
  9. Continuing education

Step 1. Qualification Recognition

Usually, this step means getting your credentials approved by French authorities. This process is known as the “Authorization to Exercise Medicine” (Autorisation d’Exercice de la Médecine). CNG, the National Center for the Management of Health Practitioners (National Center for the Management of Hospitalists and Hospital Managers/Directors), does the evaluation.

  1. The Ministry of Health needs to approve your application. You’ll need your medical degree, proof of nationality, resume, and anything else the Ministry asks for.
  2. They’ll check your credentials for equivalence to French standards.
  3. Non-EU doctors in France may have to pass an equivalency test called the ‘Knowledge Verification Test.’ The test measures your medical knowledge against French standards.

Note. Costs can vary. Exam fees, such as the PVC, can reach a few hundred euros.

Step 2. Language Proficiency

It’s essential to know French to practice medicine in France. To communicate with patients and colleagues, you must pass a language test to prove your fluency. A B2 level in the CEFR is typically required for medical professionals.

There are a bunch of French language tests you can take to prove your proficiency. The most common tests are DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) and TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français)

Step 3. Registration with the French Medical Council

To immigrate to France as a doctor, you must obtain the French Medical Council registration with the French Medical Council (Ordre des Médecins). You might say: “How to get registered as a doctor in France?” The French authorities must recognize your medical qualifications before you can register with the Ordre des Médecins.

  1. In this application, you must submit detailed documentation of your qualifications, proof of identity, and anything else the council specifies.
  2. A clean criminal record certificate is a requirement for medical practitioners as part of their ethical standards.
  3. While your application is being processed, you might get a provisional registration that lets you practice under certain conditions like supervision.
  4. There are a bunch of documents you need to submit, like your medical degree, proof of nationality, criminal record check, professional liability insurance, and proof that you’re registered in your home country’s medical register.
  5. The Council will grant you full registration after verifying your documents and ensuring you meet all requirements. You can practice medicine in France independently.

Step 4. Finding a Job

Hospitals, clinics, and private practices are all places where you can apply for jobs. Networking, online job portals (Emploi Médecin, Profil Médecin, and Fédération Hospitalière de France), and recruitment agencies (Appel Médical, PHC Consulting, and Michael Page Santé) specializing in the healthcare sector can be useful.

Step 5. Work Visa and Residency Permit

Working and living in France requires a French work visa and residency permit if you’re not from the EU. An employer must offer you a job in the healthcare sector before you can apply for a work visa. Doctors usually need the Talent Passport visa, which is designed specifically for highly skilled professionals.

  1. Visit your nearest French consulate or embassy to apply for your visa. Your passport, job offer, proof of accommodation in France, and other documents are needed for the application.
  2. When you get to France, you’ll have to get a residency permit at the local prefecture. You usually get this permit for the length of your job.
  3. Along with your visa and proof of employment in France, you’ll need to provide documentation similar to your visa application.
  4. As long as you keep meeting the requirements, you can renew your residency permit. You might be eligible for citizenship or long-term residency after a certain period.

Step 6. Professional Liability Insurance

When practicing medicine in France, it’s a good idea to have professional liability insurance.

Some well-known companies that offer professional liability insurance for doctors in France are MACSF, La Médicale, and Groupe Pasteur Mutualité.

Step 7. Cultural Integration

To immigrate to France as a doctor successfully, you must be able to understand and integrate into French culture, which is important for both your career and personal life.

  • Familiarize yourself with French social norms, like shaking hands with colleagues or kissing their cheeks (la bise).
  • Become familiar with the French healthcare system to better relate to patients.

Step 8. Legal and Financial Matters

Taxes, social security, and other regulations relevant to working in France should be understood.

  • There are different costs of living in different regions of France. Depending on where you live and your lifestyle, you can expect to pay 1,000 to 3,000 euros per month.
  • Tax rates in France can range from 20% to 45% based on income.
  • You’re part of the social security system as a doctor. You usually register through your employer. The URSSAF also requires independent practitioners to register.

Step 9. Continuing Education

Keeping up with the latest medical practices and technologies may require additional training in France.

  • Stay on top of required continuing education by checking the websites of medical associations and the French Ministry of Health.
  • Take advantage of online platforms that offer specialty courses.
  • Stay up to date with new developments and network with peers at medical conferences in France.
  • Take advantage of resources and training programs by joining professional medical associations.

Doctor Jobs in France for Foreigners

In France, doctors typically hold the following titles:

  • General Practitioner (Médecin Généraliste)
  • Surgeon (Chirurgien)
  • Pediatrician (Pédiatre)
  • Cardiologist (Cardiologue)
  • Psychiatrist (Psychiatre)
  • Anesthesiologist (Anesthésiste)
  • Radiologist (Radiologue)
  • Oncologist (Oncologue)
  • Neurologist (Neurologue)
  • Dermatologist (Dermatologue)
  • Gynecologist (Gynécologue)
  • Emergency Medicine Doctor (Médecin Urgentiste)
  • Internal Medicine Specialist (Spécialiste en Médecine Interne)
  • Endocrinologist (Endocrinologue)
  • Gastroenterologist (Gastro-entérologue)

Can a Foreign Doctor Work in France?

You might be worried and ask yourself: “Can foreign doctors practice in France?” Yes, they can. The French Ministry of Health has to recognize their medical qualifications and be registered with the French Medical Council. There might be extra exams for non-EU doctors.

What Percentage of Doctors are Foreign in France?

Around 11% of doctors practicing in France were foreign-trained as of 2023. There is a fluctuating percentage of international medical professionals in France, but it reflects France’s openness to them.

Can Indian Doctors Work in France?

Yes, as an Indian doctor, you can work in France if you get your medical qualifications recognized, pass any required exams, register with the French Medical Council, and prove you’re proficient in French.

Are Doctors Paid Well in France?

Yes, after you immigrate to France as a doctor, you will be well compensated. However, salaries can differ based on specialty, location, and workplace (public hospitals or private practice). Plus, specialists can typically earn more.

How Much is a Doctor’s Salary in France?

In France, doctors make an average of 116,000 EUR annually, ranging from 42,800 EUR to 197,000 EUR. It includes things like housing and transportation. A doctor with 2-5 years experience makes 32% more than a beginner. It’s about 36% higher after five years. After ten years, there’s a 21% increase, and after fifteen, there’s a 14% increase.

Doctor Salaries at Public Hospitals

The average doctor makes 4,130 EUR a month. It’s about 4,411 EUR per month after 6 years. A doctor can make up to 4,852 EUR per month in a public hospital, excluding bonuses. It’s common for foreign doctors to make over 5,000 EUR per month after five years in France.

Infographic How to Work and Immigrate to France as a Doctor

What is the France Medical License Exam?

In France, the medical license exam is called the “Épreuve de Vérification des Connaissances” (EVC), which means “Knowledge Verification Test.” A doctor who got his medical education outside the EU and wants to practice medicine in France needs an EVC. CNG administers the exam.

A variety of medical topics are covered in the EVC to ensure the candidate has the same knowledge and proficiency as a French-trained doctor. Typically, it includes:

  • Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, etc.
  • Internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and gynecology.
  • Questions about ethical practice and the French healthcare system.

EVCs usually happen once a year. You should check the Center National de Gestion (CNG) website for dates.

How to Become a Doctor in France?

Studying and becoming a doctor in France involves several key steps:

  1. Finding a French university
  2. Getting admission
  3. Obtaining a student visa
  4. Studying medicine in France

Step 1. Finding a French University

Find out which universities in France offer medical programs. Some well-known universities are listed below. Learn about medical schools in France on online platforms like Campus France, which provides comprehensive information.

List of Medical Universities in France

  • MD Universities in France
  • MBBS Universities in France
  • Paramedical/Nursing Studies Universities in France
  • Veterinary Science Universities in France
  • General Medicine Universities in France
  • Surgery Universities in France
  • Dental Sciences Universities in France
  • Pharmacy Universities in France
  • Physiotherapy Universities in France
  • Public Health Universities in France
  • Medical Sciences Universities in France
  • Master of Surgery(MS) Universities in France

Best Medical Universities in France

  • Paris Descartes University
  • Western Brittany University
  • Sorbonne University
  • Strasbourg Medical School
  • Montpellier Nimes College of Medicine
  • Marseille Medical School

Step 2. Getting Admission

Usually, you’ll need to submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement through the university’s admission portal. Secondary education is required. You have to pass a medical school entrance exam called “PACES” (Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé). In addition, the majority of medical courses are taught in French, so you’ll need to be fluent. It’s usually a B2 level in the CEFR.

Step 3. Obtaining a Student Visa

  1. You’ll need to apply for a French student visa at your country’s French consulate or embassy.
  2. You’ll need proof of admission, financial means, accommodation, and health insurance.
  3. French student visas cost between 50 and 100 euros, depending on where you live.
  4. You’ll need a long-stay visa if you’re doing a course longer than six months.

Step 4. Studying Medicine in France

Medical studies in France have 3 cycles. The first cycle (PACES) is a one-year common foundation. It covers basic sciences. This cycle ends with a competitive exam for progression. The second cycle lasts about 4-5 years. It includes a deeper study of medical sciences and increasing clinical practice.

The third cycle is your Internship period. Training as a doctor in France takes 3 to 5 years, focusing on specialization and culminating in a doctoral thesis. Students gain hands-on experience through this part of the curriculum. The students work under the supervision of experienced doctors in hospitals and healthcare settings.

The total duration of medical studies typically takes 9 years for general medicine and up to 11 years for specializations. Public universities can charge non-EU students 200 to 400 euros a year. Private institutions can charge a lot more.

Can You Study Medicine in France in English?

Although the majority of French medical schools teach their courses in French, a small number of private schools and universities in France provide English-language medical programs to entice students from other countries.

But there aren’t a ton of choices, so it’s up to you to find out all the details at each school. Here are a few schools that might have English-language medical courses or degree programs:

  • Paris-Saclay University
  • Sorbonne University
  • University of Bordeaux

Can I Do my Medical Residency in France?

Yes, there is the possibility of medical residency in France for international students. Let’s mention the process briefly:

  1. Obtain French recognition for your non-French medical degree.
  2. French B2 or higher is required.
  3. Take the “ECN” (Épreuves Classantes Nationales) to be placed in a residency program.
  4. If you’re not an EU citizen, you must also register with the French Medical Council and secure a visa and work permit.
  5. Select a medical specialty and begin your residency.

How Much is the Cost of Studying Medicine in France?

France is a pretty cheap place to study medicine compared to many other countries. Non-EU students usually pay 200 to 400 EUR a year for tuition at public universities. Private schools may charge a lot more.

Can English-speaking Doctors Work in France?

Despite the fact that English-speaking doctors can work in France, they need French proficiency to communicate with patients and fit in professionally. Language proficiency is a practical medical requirement since most documentation is in French.

Can US-Trained Doctors Work in France?

Yes, you can work as a US-trained doctor in France, but you must get your degree recognized by the French Ministry of Health, pass an equivalency exam, and register with the French Medical Council.

Do You Need to Know French to be a Doctor in France?

For practicing medicine in France, you need to know French. You need it to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues. Most medical institutions require a B2 level of French.

Immigrate to France as a Doctor: Let’s Recap

A medical career in France offers unique professional satisfaction and lifestyle benefits. Immigration to France as a doctor requires recognition of qualifications, language proficiency, and registration with the French Medical Council, but it is rewarding. In addition, France has a good balanced work-life.

If you have any questions about the process, please write them in the comment section.

FAQs

How do I get into medicine in France?

If you want to be a doctor in France, you must finish secondary school, pass the first-year common health studies exam (PACES), and then attend medical school. It’s essential to speak French fluently and pass competitive exams.

How to immigrate to France as a Doctor from the UK?

A UK doctor must have their medical qualifications recognized, be registered with the French Medical Council, and be proficient in French. There might be additional requirements for UK doctors after Brexit.

How to immigrate to France as a Doctor from India?

The French Ministry of Health needs to recognize Indian doctors’ qualifications, maybe pass an equivalency exam, and register them. It’s essential to know French.

How hard is it to become a doctor in France?

It’s hard to become a doctor in France because of rigorous education, competitive exams (like PACES), and long training periods (up to 11 years for specialization). Strong academic performance and dedication are required.

Can I Move to France as a Doctor?

As a doctor, you can move to France. Your medical qualifications need to be recognized, you need to register with the French Medical Council, and you’ll need to demonstrate proficiency in French. There might be extra steps for non-EU doctors.

How to Become a Doctor in France from India?

In order to practice medicine in France, you need to get your degree recognized in France, pass potential equivalency exams, and show you know French. It’s also a good idea to register with the French Medical Council.

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