How to Immigrate and Move to Switzerland as a Doctor?

Switzerland is a tiny European nation. Regardless of its size, Switzerland has a population of 8.6 million people served by just 38,000 doctors. As a result, the number of primary care physicians in Switzerland is falling, and the currently practicing physicians will have difficulty finding successors. Nonetheless, Switzerland’s doctor shortage resulted in various opportunities to move to Switzerland as a doctor.

German, Italian, and French doctors are allowed to practice in Switzerland, filling the vacancies created by Swiss medical students who decided to study overseas. Despite having international training, almost three-quarters of the doctors would return to practice in Switzerland. 

This article will explain how to move to Switzerland as a doctor, the salaries, the application process, etc.

Are Doctors in Demand in Switzerland?

Yes. Statistics reveal that the medical profession is aging and that the number of doctors with foreign credentials is increasing. Last year, half of the 39,222 physicians in Switzerland were 50 or older, and a fourth were 60 or older.

Is It Hard to Move to Switzerland as a Doctor?

Despite the difficult and lengthy path to becoming a doctor, Swiss education is well-recognized worldwide. Switzerland seems to maintain educational quality through stringent applications and low acceptance rates.

Switzerland also continues to demonstrate that it is a welcoming environment for doctors, particularly physicians, to advance their careers. For example, a first-year residency post for a physician earns twice as much as the equivalent position in Germany. In addition, Switzerland’s highly structured framework for money, paperwork, and workflow ensures that doctors may stay collected and avoid overworking themselves despite employment demands.

How to Move to Switzerland as a Doctor?

There are several steps that, if satisfied, will allow foreigners to move to Switzerland as doctors.

• Get recognition of your diploma.
• Get a job.
• Get a work permit and possibly a resident permit.
• Match the language requirements.

Move to Switzerland as a Doctor: Direct Recognition of the Diploma

You can apply for direct recognition if you 

• Finished your diploma in an EU/EFTA state; or
• Are a citizen of an EU/EFTA state; or
• Are married to an EU/EFTA citizen. 

Some standards must be met before applying for immediate recognition of the diploma. Otherwise, immediate diploma recognition is not feasible.

Requirements for Direct Recognition of the Diploma

The following are the conditions for receiving a diploma from an EU/EFTA nation that can be accepted in Switzerland:

• The applicant is a Swiss citizen or a citizen of the EU or EFTA, or the applicant’s legal partner is a citizen of one of these States;
• The diploma and various extra credentials are per the designation specified in EU Directive 2005/36/EG or the EFTA Convention.
• The authority specified in the EU Directive or the EFTA Convention granted the diploma.

The following papers are also required. In addition, MEBEKO has the right to request additional documents:

• A dated and signed application form.
• Original certified copy of the passport or identification card and, if applicable, original certified copies of the passports or identification card of the spouse and marriage certificate.
• A signed resume’.
• Original certified copy or original of an official translated version of the diploma(s), if appropriate if the diploma is not issued in German, French, Italian, or English.

Note: If you have only temporary confirmation of a diploma and/or your diploma in the following countries, you must also submit the following documents:

• An original certified copy of a certificate of conformity from the appropriate authority stating that your diploma conforms with EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
• Original certified copy or original of the official translated version of the conformance certificate if the issuance language is not German, French, Italian, or English.

Move to Switzerland as a Doctor: Indirect Recognition of the Diploma

You can use indirect recognition if your diploma was received outside the EU/EFTA but was previously legally recognized in an EU/EFTA state. 

Requirements for indirect recognition of the diploma

You must meet the following requirements:

• You or your spouse are Swiss citizens or Swiss nationals living in an EU or EFTA country.
• An EU or EFTA nation has validated your diploma.
• In the previous 5 years, you have earned at least 3 years of clinical experience in Switzerland and/or the country of recognition.
• You have at least level B2 of fluency in the official Swiss language.

Move to Switzerland as a Doctor: Registration of a Non-Recognizable Foreign University Medical Diploma

A doctor must obtain a federal diploma if the requirements for direct or indirect diploma recognition are not met. The Medical Professions Commission (MEBEKO) decides on the requirements. 

Requirements for the Registration of Non-Recognizable Diplomas

If all of the following factors are completed, a non-recognized foreign university diploma can be placed in the Medical Professions Register (MedReg):

• Foreign diploma holders are entitled to practice their university medical profession in their issuing country under professional supervision within the meaning of the MedBG; and
• Your gained overseas diploma is based on training that satisfies the basic standards listed below:
  • Doctors: Having completed six years of full-time study at an equivalent university or college with a minimum of 5,500 hours of theory and practice;
  • Dentists: The training period should be at least five years of full-time study or 5,000 hours of practical and theoretical training and instruction at a university or college that has achieved an equivalent level of training;
  • Chiropractors: Having completed six years of full-time study at an equivalent university or college with a minimum of 5,500 hours of theory and practice;
  • Pharmacists: To obtain an undergraduate degree, one must attend a university or college with a recognized equivalent level of study for at least five years or 4,500 hours of alternating theoretical and practical instruction;
  • Veterinarians: To obtain an undergraduate degree, one must attend a university or college with a recognized equivalent level of study for at least five years or 4,500 hours of alternating theoretical and practical instruction.

You must present the documents below for an examination by the MEBEKO:

• Current resume’
• Identity verification
• Certificate of Matura (plus official translation)
• Diploma (Including official translation) 
• Names of examinations taken during the study (plus official translation)
• Detailed documentation of professional experience overseas, if available. These data include the duration, function, and level of employment. These documents must also be officially translated.

How to Get a Federal Diploma in Medical Professions?

In general, anyone with a human, dental, veterinary, or pharmacy degree from a country other than the EU or EFTA cannot have it recognized in Switzerland. However, if your diploma cannot be recognized, you can earn the Federal Diploma regardless of the applicant’s nationality.

MEBEKO Department Training:

• Determines the federal examination admission requirements; and
• Considers previous job experience; and
• Determines if the federal inspection must be done completely or in parts.

The qualifications for receiving a federal diploma are decided on an individual basis. Applications must be sent with a fee to the Federal Office of Public Health, MEBEKO, Department of Education, 3003 Bern.

In federal law, one can only practice professionally under their professional responsibility under private law. Whether a profession is authorized to be practiced in the public or private sector is solely the responsibility of the cantons.

Acquiring a federal diploma for those whose foreign diplomas are not accepted in Switzerland for human, dentistry, veterinary, pharmacy, and chiropractic medicine is held once a year. It is only accessible in German and French.

An application to MEBEKO must include the following documents:

• An application form that is completed and signed;
• Your resume’;
• Identity proof;
• Copy of your diploma with official translation;
• Names of tests taken during the course and their official translation;
• Proof of professional experience overseas and an official translation, if available;
• Evidence of professional experience in Switzerland, if available

MEBEKO’s address is “Federal Office of Public Health, MEBEKO, Education Department, 3003 Bern, Switzerland.”

The application processing cost will range between CHF 800 and CHF 1,000. (determined by the MEBEKO). The fees for enrolling for the exam, taking the exam, and receiving the federal diploma will be charged later.

Tips for Indirect Recognition and Non-Recognizable Diplomas

• Send this form, together with any relevant papers, to the address shown below:
• Federal Office of Public Health, MEBEKO, Schwarzenburgstrasse 157, CH – 3003 Bern.
  • Phone number: +41 58 462 94 83 
  • Fax number: +41 58 463 00 09
• You cannot take back your submitted documents.

For indirect recognition:

• The MEBEKO reviews the application.
• A cost of CHF 800.00 to 1,000.00 will be imposed if the application is complete.
• As soon as the payment is received, MEBEKO will send you the notice of recognition and the appropriate ID card.

For non-recognizable diplomas:

• Applicants who live outside of Switzerland must provide a corresponding address in Switzerland.
• The charge for registering ranges between CHF 800.00 and 1,200.00.
• A CHF 390.00 advance payment will be collected as soon as the registration application is received. A payment slip with the essential account details will be mailed to you. The MEBEKO training department only handles full applications for which advance payment has been provided.
• MEBEKO has the right to seek more documents at any time during the procedure.