Situated in Central Europe, Poland is one of the fastest-developing countries in Europe. As a result of recent internal reform, the Polish educational system has begun to attract more and more international students each year. In addition to semester exchanges, a significant amount of students are choosing to build their lives and careers in Poland, as well.

One of the professions that seem to be blossoming the most is medicine. By opening up its universities and medical system, Poland has welcomed many foreign medical practitioners in the past decade. Because of its economic liberty and high standards of living, many long-practicing doctors are relocating to Poland as well. Therefore, to help in this transition, we look at the steps to become a doctor in Poland.

Is There an Entrance Exam for Medicine in Poland?

Yes, there is an entrance exam for medicine in Poland, though this varies with the institution. Medical Poland Education has a Pre-Test Course designed to help prospective students in Polish medical and veterinary schools enhance their chances of successfully passing entrance exams and being accepted for admission. The course tests applicants’ knowledge level in Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, not just for Poland’s veterinary and medical programs but also for European universities.

Can International Students Study Medicine in Poland?

International students can study medicine at more than ten universities in Poland. These universities offer Medicine and related degrees in English for international students. Additionally, the admission requirements to medical universities in Poland are friendly to international students, provided they meet the basic entry requirements. Some of the universities offering medical programs in Poland for international students include the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, the Medical University of Pomeranian, and the Medical University of Lublin.

Steps to Become a Doctor in Poland

1. Those eager to begin their medical careers in Poland will first have to meet the language requirements.

In Poland, all medical practitioners must be fluent in Polish before applying for their medical license. This is a basic step to become a medical doctor in Poland. Language proficiency is determined by an exam administered by the Polish Chamber of Physicians and Dentists.

However, you should not be discouraged by this. Even though Polish has been characterized as a difficult language to learn, it is not impossible. All you need is patience, motivation, and a stimulating language environment. The last one is easily achievable for those who opt to relocate to Poland before beginning their medical careers or for those studying in a Polish medical program.

However, medical students are not required to be fluent in Polish right away. The country offers several medical programs taught completely in English. While studying medicine, you will have a unique opportunity to learn the language through a stimulating and immersive environment.

2. In addition to language fluency, practitioners will also need to hold a medical degree.

Although international medical degrees are accepted, it would be beneficial to obtain them in Poland. For one, Polish medical programs do not set language requirements. Thus, universities such as the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, offer their medical programs completely in English. Even if you are not proficient in Polish upon your arrival, you will be after graduation. In addition, you have the chance to immerse yourself in the culture and become accustomed to the Polish medical system.

Furthermore, Polish medical programs are not attractive solely because of their language of teaching. Rather, these programs are among the cheapest in Europe, bringing in a significant amount of foreign students. Therefore, in addition to a stimulating language environment, you will also be part of a unique international community in Poland.

See Also: Free Medical Schools

3. Lastly, to begin your career, you will need to obtain a Polish medical license.

Upon graduation, you are still not a practicing medical doctor. Rather, you need to apply and fulfill all the requirements for a Polish medical license. The first requirement is, of course, your medical diploma, which must be either in Polish originally or translated to Polish before submission.

In addition to a medical degree, all applicants must pass the LEK (Lekarski Egzamin Koncowy), i.e., the Medical Final Exam. All medical graduates are eligible to register for the exam. Furthermore, those who have completed their Polish medical program in English may take the exam in English as well. All interested parties may apply for the exam through the SMK website.

After passing the LEK, you will have to complete a 12-month internship at either a Polish hospital or a medical center. As this is considered practicing medicine, you will need to provide adequate proof of language proficiency before securing your internship.

4. In addition to the aforementioned, foreign medical doctors will need to meet a few additional requirements.

The Polish government distinguishes between EU/EEA and non-EU medical doctors. Therefore, EU/EEA-trained medical practitioners will have an easier time obtaining their medical credentials in Poland. For them, the only major requirement is language proficiency, meaning that they will need to pass the Polish exam administered by the Chamber of Physicians and Dentists.

On the other hand, non-EU practitioners will need extra steps to become a doctor in Poland other than just language proficiency. Firstly, you will need a Polish work and residence permit. However, the former is not something an individual can apply to themselves. Rather, your employer must apply for one for you, meaning you will need to secure a position before uprooting your medical career and life to Poland.

Although the process for foreigners may appear daunting, it has gotten easier in recent years. Namely, Poland has been experiencing a shortage of medical professionals. Therefore, it has made the application process for foreign practitioners much more lenient. This especially applies to EU residents, as all they will truly need is proof of language proficiency and an official translation of their degree.

Check Also: How to Study in Poland for Free

Poland offers the best environment for qualified people looking to build a career in the medical industry. The steps for becoming a medical doctor in Poland are not complicated, no matter where you come from. It is important to remember that Poland values quality academic credentials for anyone seeking to practice as a doctor in Poland. You can start by studying for a degree in medicine from the best medical schools in the world. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to achieve this. There are several free medical schools around the globe to help you pursue your medical degree. Additionally, we have compiled a list of fully funded scholarships to help pay for your medical degree anywhere in the world.

We hope that you found this article on the steps to become a doctor in Poland informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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