Residency in Switzerland for a non-EU citizen

[LydiaM*]

Hello,

I am a Canadian citizen, completed my medical degree outside the EU/US/Canada, but I would like to apply for residency in Switzerland, given that I speak French. I have tried asking around and searching online regarding the application process, but couldn't find anything concrete.
What are the chances for non-EU MD graduates to get into a residency program in Switzerland?
Thank you very much.

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[Malthusian99]

Hello,

I am a Canadian citizen, completed my medical degree outside the EU/US/Canada, but I would like to apply for residency in Switzerland, given that I speak French. I have tried asking around and searching online regarding the application process, but couldn't find anything concrete.
What are the chances for non-EU MD graduates to get into a residency program in Switzerland?
Thank you very much.

Before even thinking about getting residency in Switzerland, you need to make sure your degree is recognised and approved by the MEBEKO (MEBEKO Section formation universitaire).

Seeing as your degree is not from an EU country, you will most likely need to sit the Diplôme Fédéral de Médecine Humaine (I think that's what it's called). This is usually sat in August/September of every year and will mean that the country recognises your diploma as being equal to a Swiss graduate and will then be allowed to practice medicine in Switzerland.

Regarding residency applications, these are very similar to applying for a 'normal' job in that you need to choose a hospital/clinic of your choice and contact the hiring person (usually a Professor who heads the service) with your CV, motivation letter and further details.

Seeing as you're a Canadian citizen and speak French, I would also recommend you get some form of language certification (ideally C2 from the DALF).

Good luck! It's a long road ahead but entirely feasible.

 

[LydiaM*]

Before even thinking about getting residency in Switzerland, you need to make sure your degree is recognised and approved by the MEBEKO.

Seeing as your degree is not from an EU country, you will most likely need to sit the Diplôme Fédéral de Médecine Humaine (I think that's what it's called). This is usually sat in August/September of every year and will mean that the country recognises your diploma as being equal to a Swiss graduate and will then be allowed to practice medicine in Switzerland.

Regarding residency applications, these are very similar to applying for a 'normal' job in that you need to choose a hospital/clinic of your choice and contact the hiring person (usually a Professor who heads the service) with your CV, motivation letter and further details.

Seeing as you're a Canadian citizen and speak French, I would also recommend you get some form of language certification (ideally C2 from the DALF).

Good luck! It's a long road ahead but entirely feasible.

Thank you!

By taking the exam, this is the way to get my degree recognized by MEBEKO? Because I read somewhere that Swiss clinical experience for like 1-2 years is also a requirement..?

Oh so there isn't a system like the US "match" for residency application.

Thanks again

 

[Malthusian99]

By taking the exam, this is the way to get my degree recognized by MEBEKO? Because I read somewhere that Swiss clinical experience for like 1-2 years is also a requirement..?

Yes. EU graduates will have their medical degrees automatically recognised (without an exam) but non-EU graduates will have to sit the Federal exam in Human Medicine (rough translation). This is exactly the same exam as Swiss graduates take.

Oh so there isn't a system like the US "match" for residency application.

Nope! Residency applications are similar to 'normal' job applications. You need to find the name of the Chef de service and apply directly to him or her. But you'll only be considered once your medical degree has been recognised by MEBEKO (don't apply before then).

 

[Daffodils24]

Hello Malthusian,
Thanks for all the info. I need your advice on my situation. I’m have a non-EU MBBS followed by 4yrs of work experience then a break year as I moved to France with my husband. I did Masters in Biomedical Engineering with cancer research internship experiences in France n got my degree in 2017. Then again I’m having a break in career as I’m not able to find any job in my region. I’m a non-EU with permenant resident permit in France. I do speak French with intermediate proficiency and working towards C1. I would like to try for residency in Suisse when I have my C1. I’m afraid with my break in clinical practice it is going to be difficult to get a position. What do you think? I will be getting my French citizenship in 2-3yrs. I’m also considering other European countries for residency. Should I learn another language and try.. I’m all confused. Your reply would definitely help me a lot.

 

[shrzd]

Yes. EU graduates will have their medical degrees automatically recognised (without an exam) but non-EU graduates will have to sit the Federal exam in Human Medicine (rough translation). This is exactly the same exam as Swiss graduates take.



Nope! Residency applications are similar to 'normal' job applications. You need to find the name of the Chef de service and apply directly to him or her. But you'll only be considered once your medical degree has been recognised by MEBEKO (don't apply before then).

hello
Im a non-EU graduated physician
how can i sit the federal exam in human medicine?

 

[Malthusian99]

Hello Malthusian,
Thanks for all the info. I need your advice on my situation. I’m have a non-EU MBBS followed by 4yrs of work experience then a break year as I moved to France with my husband. I did Masters in Biomedical Engineering with cancer research internship experiences in France n got my degree in 2017. Then again I’m having a break in career as I’m not able to find any job in my region. I’m a non-EU with permenant resident permit in France. I do speak French with intermediate proficiency and working towards C1. I would like to try for residency in Suisse when I have my C1. I’m afraid with my break in clinical practice it is going to be difficult to get a position. What do you think? I will be getting my French citizenship in 2-3yrs. I’m also considering other European countries for residency. Should I learn another language and try.. I’m all confused. Your reply would definitely help me a lot.

Hello Daffodils24,

Apologies for my late reply.

The breaks in your career are never good and it will raise some eyebrows. Doing a Masters probably doesn't help either as you're signalling an interest in research rather than clinical work.

Course of action: apply for either F1 status in the U.K. or to specialise in Ireland. Both these countries are far more lenient and accepting towards non-EU doctors. The training you will receive outweighs anything you will get on the continent (take this from someone who has seen the quality first hand).

Once you've passed everything, perhaps look at France or Switzerland.

 

[Malthusian99]

hello
Im a non-EU graduated physician
how can i sit the federal exam in human medicine?

Google is your friend.

 

[Kiki-Mora]

Hello,

I am a Canadian citizen, completed my medical degree outside the EU/US/Canada, but I would like to apply for residency in Switzerland, given that I speak French. I have tried asking around and searching online regarding the application process, but couldn't find anything concrete.
What are the chances for non-EU MD graduates to get into a residency program in Switzerland?
Thank you very much.

Hi there, I hope you are doing well and do not mind me asking whether you were able to fullfil your plan I am asking because I am canadian and also very interested in doing training in the highlands of chocolate. Any first hand information will be highly appreciated, Thank you in advance

 

[MD950717]

Hi there! Just came across this thread. As it was said above, in order to secure a residency position, you have to get your degree recognised by the Mebeko first. For this recognition you'd need to pass the federal medical exam on human medicine. However, not every physician is allowed to sit this exam (unlike USMLE!). An approval of the Mebeko (a permit to sit the fed. exam) is required. There are no solid rules on who gets this permit and on what conditions.
You may be allowed to sit the fed. exam straight upon your application, but in many cases the Mebeko's officials have decided that an applicant has to re-sit 2-4 years of medical school in Switzerland prior to taking the state exam. Any Swiss medical exam (including the fed. exam and those ones within medical school curriculum) can be bombed twice only. If a third attepmt failed, an applicant is permanently banned from taking any further medical exams. According to the stats, only 37-50% of foreign (non-EU) med. graduates pass the Swiss fed. exam, the percentage varies by year, when it is taken.

Please note: a Swiss clinical experience (for example, as a visiting physician) does not substitute for the Mebeko recognition. Nor does it count toward a residency without such recognition. Years ago it was possible to start working in Switzerland first and get the recognition along the way. But this is definitely gone: starting from Jan. 1, 2019 every non-EU citizen (or every EU-citizen with a non-EU-degree) has to pass the fed. exam.

 

[YCAGA]

Hi there! Just came across this thread. As it was said above, in order to secure a residency position, you have to get your degree recognised by the Mebeko first. For this recognition you'd need to pass the federal medical exam on human medicine. However, not every physician is allowed to sit this exam (unlike USMLE!). An approval of the Mebeko (a permit to sit the fed. exam) is required. There are no solid rules on who gets this permit and on what conditions.
You may be allowed to sit the fed. exam straight upon your application, but in many cases the Mebeko's officials have decided that an applicant has to re-sit 2-4 years of medical school in Switzerland prior to taking the state exam. Any Swiss medical exam (including the fed. exam and those ones within medical school curriculum) can be bombed twice only. If a third attepmt failed, an applicant is permanently banned from taking any further medical exams. According to the stats, only 37-50% of foreign (non-EU) med. graduates pass the Swiss fed. exam, the percentage varies by year, when it is taken.

Please note: a Swiss clinical experience (for example, as a visiting physician) does not substitute for the Mebeko recognition. Nor does it count toward a residency without such recognition. Years ago it was possible to start working in Switzerland first and get the recognition along the way. But this is definitely gone: starting from Jan. 1, 2019 every non-EU citizen (or every EU-citizen with a non-EU-degree) has to pass the fed. exam.

What about a non-EU citizen with an EU degree?