What conditions must be met to start working as a doctor in Switzerland?
Switzerland has concluded an agreement with the EU on the free movement of persons, based on which EU citizens, including Polish doctors, can work in Switzerland without an additional work permit. Every person traveling to Switzerland can legally stay there for 3 months – after that time they should submit a declaration of employment. To do this, you must go to the commune of residence with an employment contract and a completed residence application.
A Polish doctor can go to work in Switzerland right after graduation.
However, those doctors who have at least 3 years of documented experience in medical work are in the best situation (they have the greatest chance of employment). A mandatory requirement is knowledge of the German language (if you plan to work in the German-speaking cantons) at a minimum level of B2 (although it is recommended to level C1).
Attachments should include:
-confirmation of EU citizenship
-medical diploma in accordance with Directive 2005/36/WG (Polish diploma corresponds to this directive) and additional necessary attachments
-the diploma should be issued by an appropriate office and comply with European directives.
Please attach the following to your application for recognition of your Polish diploma:
-a notarized copy of your passport
– CV with your own signature
-a notarized copy of the diploma in the original language
– the original or a notarized copy of the translation of the diploma (unless it was issued in German, French, Italian or English).
Documents can only be certified by a notary, diplomatic mission, commune office, city hall (magistrate), marshal’s office, courts and in accordance with EU directives regarding the issuance of appropriate documents. The translator is not authorized to issue a notarially certified copy and MEBEKO does not recognize such a document.
Fees for the recognition of a Polish diploma
The fee for examining an application for direct recognition of a diploma together with issuing a personal document ranges from CHF 800 to 1,000 (approx. PLN 3.5-4.5 thousand). The payment is made after receiving confirmation of the recognition of the diploma. Only after paying the invoice, MEBEKO issues an identity document and confirmation of the recognition of the diploma.
Language knowledge
Working as a doctor in Switzerland requires knowledge of one of the official languages, i.e. German, French or Italian (Romansh is used by a small group, so it is not taken into account). Confirmation of language knowledge at least B2 level must be obtained from the Medizinalberuferegister (MedReg). The application fee is between CHF 50 and CHF 100.
Entry confirming language knowledge can be obtained online or when submitting an application for diploma recognition.
To confirm your knowledge of the language you must present:
– language certificate at least B2 level (not older than 6 years) or
-confirmation of specialization in the language in which you intend to work or
-confirmation that the doctor has worked in a given language for at least 3 years in the last 10 years.
Each canton may require a different level of language knowledge. And while in most cases free communication on everyday and medical topics is completely sufficient, some employers may require more (i.e. not B2 level, but rather C1 level).