Switzerland needs more doctors and recruits international medical graduates (IMGs), but medicine is a regulated profession there, so before you can work, you must have your medical degree recognised and hold a licence from the Medical Professions Commission (MEBEKO), under the Federal Office of Public Health. How you get there depends on where you trained.

In short: if you trained in the EU or EEA, your medical degree is recognised largely automatically; if you trained elsewhere, you need recognition (often with an examination), skills in a national language at B2 (German, French, or Italian), registration with the Medical Professions Commission (MEBEKO), under the Federal Office of Public Health, a job offer, and a work permit and a type D visa, within quotas.

Is Your Medical Degree Recognised in Switzerland?

Doctors who trained in the EU or EEA have their diploma recognised directly by MEBEKO under Directive 2005/36/EC, provided they show a national language at B2. Doctors from outside the EU can be recognised too, but generally need substantial clinical experience and may face additional measures, and recognition (MedReg listing) is followed by a separate cantonal licence to practise.

Step by Step

• Recognition: apply to have your degree recognised, with your diploma, transcripts, and proof of training and experience in certified translation.
• Language: reach the required level of a national language at B2 (German, French, or Italian), since safe practice and registration depend on it.
• Registration: register with the Medical Professions Commission (MEBEKO), under the Federal Office of Public Health,h to obtain the licence to practise.
• Job and visa: with a job offer, obtain a work permit and a type D visa, within quotas.

The Work Route

Once you are recognised and registered, with a job offer, er the usual immigration route is a work permit and a type D visa, within quotas. The professional steps and the immigration steps run in parallel, so plan both early.

Salary, Specialisation, and Doctors' pay in Switzerland follow national or collective agreements and vary by grade, region, and experience; specialists earn more than junior doctors. You specialise through structured postgraduate training after full registration. Demand for doctors is strong across much of Europe, so confirm the salary, hours, and contract in writing before accepting a post.

Avoiding Scams

Use official regulators and ethical recruiters only. Legitimate employers and agencies never charge a doctor upfront placement fees; if anyone asks you to pay to be placed, treat it as a likely scam and verify the employer and the Medical Professions Commission (MEBEKO), under the Federal Office of Public Health, through official channels.

Official Sources

Confirm current rules with the Medical Professions Commission (MEBEKO), under the Federal Office of Public Health and the Swiss immigration authority, as procedures, exams, language levels, and fees can change.