In the countries of Eastern Europe, members of the EU, doctors of various specialties are willingly hired. If you have a medical degree and are thinking about moving abroad in 2021, then one of the best options is to work as a doctor in the Czech Republic.
Working conditions for a doctor in the Czech Republic
Nowadays, Czech medicine is experiencing a noticeable shortage of personnel. In the past five years, many Czech doctors have left to work in neighboring countries, so there is a shortage of qualified doctors in the Czech Republic, and the country's medical institutions are willingly hiring foreign specialists.
The minimum salary for a doctor in the Czech Republic is 25 thousand kroons per month (950 €), but the real salaries in the medical field are much higher:
- a general practitioner receives up to 35 thousand kroons (1350 €);
- family doctor - 60-90 thousand kroons (2300-3460 €);
- dentist - 30-90 thousand kroons (1150-3460 €);
- surgeon - from 30 thousand kroons (more than 1150 €);
- cardiologist - 40-56 thousand kroons (1540-2150 €);
- ophthalmologist - from 40 thousand kroons (more than 1540 €);
- working as a pediatrician in Prague will allow you to earn up to 80 thousand kroons (3000 €).
According to Czech law, a foreigner who has an official employment cannot receive a salary less than a Czech worker. Therefore, there is no discrimination in terms of working conditions and wages for citizens of other states.
- Full-time work is 40 working hours per week, part-time - 20 hours per week. Work schedule - full time or in shifts: day or 12 hours.
- Many clinics, especially those located in smaller towns and sanatoriums, provide foreign employees with free housing and food vouchers.
- Paid vacation of 4 to 6 weeks is provided annually.
- The employer pays for the employee's health insurance and pension insurance. In some institutions, employees receive additional payments for sports and professional development.
- Representatives of in-demand medical specialties are sometimes offered specialized training at the expense of the clinic.
Read about popular vacancies, employment conditions in the article: "Opportunities and prospects of work in the Czech Republic".
In Czech clinics, comfortable working conditions have been created, which are accepted in the European medical field. Doctors are provided with modern medical equipment, laboratories and everything necessary for the effective performance of their duties.
A foreign doctor certified in the Czech Republic has the right to open a private practice (praxis). This gives him the opportunity to earn much more than working in a clinic.
The Czech Republic offers a special integration program for doctors from other countries. Its passage opens up not only good job prospects for foreign doctors, but also the possibility of training or advanced training, and in 7-10 years - obtaining Czech citizenship.
What medical specialties are needed in the Czech Republic
There is a shortage of doctors of different profiles in the Czech Republic. Dental specialists are most in demand, therefore it is very profitable to work as a dentist in this country. Foreign dentists, immediately after the approbation procedure, can open a private practice without going through additional certification.
Spa towns require therapists, neurologists, rheumatologists and orthopedists to work in sanatoriums (usually with the provision of free housing and meals or with a living allowance).
In the spa facilities of the Czech Republic, there are many guests from different countries, including from Russia, therefore, in many vacancies, knowledge of the Russian language is indicated as a desirable condition. This opens up favorable professional prospects for Russian doctors.
- There are many vacancies for specialists: surgeons, anesthesiologists, gynecologists, cardiologists, diabetologists, ophthalmologists, urologists, gastroenterologists.
- Psychologists and psychotherapists are required to work in social funds and centers - often with the perspective of training and professional growth.
- Qualified emergency doctors are in demand, there are also many proposals for pediatricians.
Many clinics prefer to train their specialists on their own, therefore they offer vacancies for graduate medical students or young foreign doctors with no work experience. In these medical institutions, internships and specialized training can be completed.
Where to find vacancies
Physician jobs can be found on job sites or recruitment agencies. To be able to apply to the Czech labor exchange, you need to have the status of a residence permit, permanent residence in the Czech Republic or citizenship of EU countries. Useful information regarding employment is presented in the table:
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Official website of the Ministry of Labor of the Czech Republic | https://portal.mpsv.cz |
| Ads: Russian-language sites | https://flagma.cz https://eurabota.com https://420on.cz https://24ru.com |
| Popular sites in Czech | https://jobs.cz https://volnamista.cz https://prace.cz https://dobraprace.cz https://dzob.cz https://monster.cz |
| Recruitment agencies | https://monster.cz https://adecco.cz https://syn.cz https://hays.cz https://stimul.cz https://roberthalf.cz https://axial.cz |
Confirmation of the qualifications of a doctor in the Czech Republic
Every doctor or pharmacist who has received education outside the European Union must prove his professional competence and its compliance with the requirements of Czech health care. To do this, you need to know the Czech language and Czech medical terminology, pass professional certification and have no criminal record.
The program of confirmation of medical competence in the Czech Republic includes:
- Nostrification of the diploma.
- Czech language courses in the Czech Republic.
- Specialized training (medical courses).
- Approbation, which includes passing tests in a specialty, a compulsory internship at the clinic for 5 months and an oral exam.
It is possible to obtain a permit to work as a doctor in the Czech Republic only after successfully passing all stages of certification. In total, this process takes 12-18 months.
Nostrification of the diploma
Nostrification of the diploma is needed to confirm the level of knowledge of the doctor and their compliance with the knowledge that is required from doctors in the Czech Republic. Without this procedure, the diploma of a non-EU country is not recognized.
The Czech Republic has an agreement with Russia, Ukraine and Belarus on programs for mutual accreditation of documents, therefore, nostrification of diplomas from medical universities in these countries is usually successful.
It is better to do nostrification before you come to the Czech Republic, if any additional certificates from the university are required from you, it is easier to get them if you are in the country where you studied.
This is especially true for pediatricians, because the Czech system of training pediatricians differs from the system of post-Soviet countries.
For nostrification, you need to send the following documents to a higher educational institution in the Czech Republic, which has the appropriate accreditation:
- a copy of the diploma of higher medical education;
- Diploma Supplement;
- a certificate from the educational institution, which indicates the subjects that you studied at the university, with the number of teaching hours and a list of state exams;
- application for nostrification (application form)
- for women in the event that after receiving a diploma they got married and changed their surname - a copy of the marriage certificate;
- receipt of payment of the state duty in the amount of 3,000 kroons.
All documents must be certified by a notary either in the country where you received your diploma, or in the Czech Republic. In addition, they must be translated into Czech and the translations certified by a Czech translator (if you are in the Czech Republic) or by an attorney translator at the consular section of the Czech Embassy in the country of residence.
Documents can be submitted to a Czech university for nostrification in person or, if you are not in the Czech Republic, sent by registered mail.
To simplify the preparation and sending of documents, you can contact a company that is engaged in the nostrification of diplomas in the Czech Republic. In order for intermediaries to have the right to represent your interests, you will need to issue a power of attorney and certify it with a notary.
Nostrification of a diploma takes 30-60 days, but in some cases it may take longer. The cost, including all expenses, is around 200 euros.
If for any reason your diploma was not recognized, you can appeal to the Czech Ministry of Education or send documents for nostrification to another educational institution.
Where to apply for nostrification
Educational institutions of the Czech Republic that are accredited to confirm the diplomas of doctors from abroad:
- 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University (Univerzita Karlova v Praze, 1 lékařská fakulta), Prague;
- Masaryk University (Masarykova univerzita), Brno;
- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ostrava (Ostravska univerzita v Ostrave, lékařská fakulta), Ostrava;
- Faculty of Medicine, University. Palacky (Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, lékařská fakulta), Olomouc.
Czech medical language courses
To successfully pass the medical approbation in the Czech Republic, you need to know the Czech language at a level not lower than B2, be proficient in medical terminology in the Czech language and know the legislation related to Czech health care.
Teaching language courses that are located outside the Czech Republic usually turns out to be ineffective due to the lack of a language environment.
According to statistics, 85% of graduates of such courses cannot then communicate fluently in Czech. Therefore, training should take place in the Czech Republic.
Admission to language courses accredited by the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic and entitled to take exams in the Czech language allows you to obtain a Czech study visa.
There are comprehensive programs for doctors who plan to work in the Czech Republic. They include:
- teaching the Czech language at a general level;
- study of medical terminology and medical legislation of the Czech Republic;
- preparation for approbation exams;
- consultations on all aspects of medical approbation;
- assistance in applying for approbation;
- cultural events that help to get used to the Czech language environment.
The duration of the training is 5-10 months. You can choose language courses with a medical bias, located in Prague at the Charles University, in the training centers of the cities of Podebrady, Marianske Lazne, Pilsen.
The cost of the courses ranges from 2500 to 5200 euros, depending on the duration of the study. Payment in installments is possible. In Albertov (a branch of Charles University) there is a separate course-seminar on the system of Czech health care and law in the amount of 60 teaching hours. Its cost is 7,900 kroons (293 euros).
When choosing courses, pay attention to the volume of the curriculum in the field of medical terminology, the conditions of study and assistance in obtaining student visas.
For an additional fee, some courses provide the option of living in a student residence. Fees range from 100 € to 150 € per month in Pilsen and from 180 € in Albertov. You will need 150-200 € per month for food.
Specialized training
On approbation tests, you will have to demonstrate a wide range of knowledge in your specialty. But even if you recently graduated from a medical school, you can hardly remember well absolutely everything that you have learned for several years. To prepare for the exam, you need specialized training classes.
Self-study is essential. While you still do not know the Czech language at a sufficient level, you can use Russian textbooks to review material on various topics. When you have mastered the language at the B1 level, it is worth starting to study Czech medical textbooks according to the programs of medical faculties of Czech universities.
The Institute of Postgraduate Training of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic conducts courses for doctors twice a year, shortly before the deadlines for passing the tests. The course for dentists lasts 4 days and costs 220 €, for doctors - 7 days, price 390 €. Czech healthcare system course - 2 days, 150 €.
Medical approbation
Applications for medical approbation are accepted twice a year - until February 28 and August 28. All tests and exams are taken in Czech. The following documents must be submitted:
- statement;
- copy of the passport;
- a notarized copy of the nostrification of the diploma;
- a notarized copy of the sworn translation of the diploma and the diploma supplement;
- sworn translation of a police clearance certificate in the country of residence and a police clearance certificate in the Czech Republic; both documents must be issued no earlier than 180 days before the submission of documents
- a certificate from a therapist about the absence of contraindications for working as a doctor or dentist. If the certificate is not issued in the Czech Republic, a sworn translation into the Czech language is required.
Tests
You take two written tests - on professional knowledge and on the legislation of the Czech healthcare system. Both tests are performed on the same day. The minimum passing grade for each is 70%.
After successfully passing the tests, you will be given permission to undergo a medical internship.
Five months practice
The practice takes place in any medical institution in the Czech Republic for at least 5 months, subject to full employment. You work under the supervision of a physician who keeps a diary of your practice.
During his work, the trainee conducts 5 case studies, one of them must be presented in an oral exam.
Oral exam
After completing the internship, an oral examination is conducted - the most important part of the approbation. If you passed it successfully, you will be issued a certificate that allows you to work as a doctor in the Czech Republic.
Exam fees
Written tests: first attempt - 1500 CZK for each test, second - 2000 CZK, third and subsequent - 3000 CZK.
Oral exam: first attempt - 4000 CZK, second - 6000 CZK, third and subsequent - 9000 CZK.
Work permit
To work in the Czech Republic, you need to have an agreement with an employer and a work permit.
A foreigner can apply only for those vacancies for which the employer has not found a Czech employee or an EU citizen within a month.
If you have found a suitable vacancy, you need to contact the employer, draw up and sign an employment contract. After that, you can apply for a labor card.
Blue card
If you want to work in the Czech Republic as a doctor, you need to apply for the so-called Blue Labor Card. It is issued to applicants with higher education who apply for work in specialties that are in high demand in the Czech Republic. The card is valid for up to 2 years, but it can be extended if necessary.
To obtain a Blue Labor Card you need:
- a questionnaire and an application in which you need to indicate a description of the vacancy;
- copy of the passport. The passport must be valid for the estimated duration of the labor card plus another 3 months;
- 2 photographs of the visa format;
- employment contract;
- a document that confirms the availability of a place of residence during your stay in the Czech Republic (an apartment rental agreement or information about housing provided by the employer);
- a diploma that confirms the presence of the relevant education;
- certificates of the absence of serious illnesses and convictions (required at the discretion of the receiving commission);
- payment of an administrative fee of 1000 CZK.
All documents issued in the country of residence must have a translation into Czech, certified by an authorized translator at the Czech visa center.
Documents are submitted to the consular department of the Embassy of the Czech Republic or visa center. The application is considered within 2 months.
Work Visa
When a positive decision is made to issue a Blue Card, you must take out health insurance and obtain a work visa.
After arriving in the Czech Republic, you should, within 3 working days, contact the department of the Migration Service of the Ministry of the Interior and get your hands on the Blue Card by paying a commission fee of 2500 kroons (96 euros).
After that, you must register with the police department for foreign citizens at the place of residence in the Czech Republic, presenting a document on the provision of housing (lease, sublease, and so on) and immediately report to your employer.
The labor card is tied to a specific place of work. If the term of the employment contract has expired, or you want to change your place of work, this can be done by obtaining permission from the Immigration Department of the Czech Ministry of Internal Affairs.
When passing the approbation procedure for obtaining the right to work as a doctor in the Czech Republic, you will need a labor card already at the stage of compulsory internship. Therefore, a place of practice must be looked for in advance according to the same principle as for an ordinary place of work.
Labor contract
If your approbation is successful, you can start looking for a permanent job. A Czech employer can sign an employment contract with a foreigner if the foreign employee applies for a position requiring high qualifications for a period of at least one year, taking into account the length of the working week prescribed by law. The salary must be at least 1.5 times the average annual salary in the Czech Republic.
An employment contract governs all relations between employer and employee. Before signing an employment contract, make sure it clearly states all of your roles, rights and responsibilities, the duration of the contract, and the payment or reimbursement of health and social insurance taxes by your employer.
The duration of the probationary period (according to the law - no more than 3 months) must also be indicated. During this period, the employer or employee may terminate the employment contract without giving reasons.
After successfully passing the probationary period, the employee is officially hired. The contract can be with a clearly agreed or open end date.
Work in the Czech Republic should not exceed 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, excluding lunch breaks. Additional working hours are paid separately. If you believe that the employer is violating your rights, then you can defend them on the basis of the data of the employment contract.
After the contract expires, it can be extended. If an expired contract is not renewed, but you continue to work, this means that the contract is automatically renewed indefinitely until you or your employer choose to terminate it.
Immigration costs
To confirm your diploma and start working as a doctor in the Czech Republic, you will need the following expenses:
- Nostrification of the diploma: administrative fee 3000 CZK (115 €), certification of translation from Russian into Czech - 300 CZK (11.5 €) per page, that is, about 50 €.
- Notarized translation into Czech - 700 - 1200 rubles (9 -17 €) for each document.
- Language courses: training 2500-5200 €, accommodation 600-2500 €, meals 900-2000 € for the entire period.
- Specialized training: 370 € for dentists, 540 € for doctors of other specialties.
- Approbation: application fee 2000 CZK (77 €), taking tests 1500 CZK (58 €), oral exam 4000 CZK (154 €).
- Labor card and labor visa: translation and certification of documents up to 70 €, labor card fees 135 €, medical insurance 50-60 €, consular fee for a long-term visa - 95 €.
In total, you will spend from 5160 to 16000 € on preparation for work. True, during the internship, if it is paid and with the provision of housing, you can earn 2500-4000 €.
Work as a nurse in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, there is a shortage of not only doctors, but also nurses. The salary of a nurse in this country is 25-33 thousand kroons per month, and in state clinics, salaries are usually higher. To attract staff, some clinics pay nurses a relocation allowance of up to CZK 50,000 when hiring.
To work as a nurse in the Czech Republic, you need to go through a similar procedure for diploma nostrification and approbation, as for doctors, but an internship in a clinic is not 5 months, but 40 days. The fee for nostrification of the diploma is 1000 CZK.
Conclusion
Confirming a medical diploma and obtaining the right to work as a doctor in the Czech Republic requires significant costs - at least 6000 €. But doctors in the Czech Republic can count on getting jobs with good pay, training and career prospects. In addition, you will be able to live in the very center of Europe and obtain a residence permit, and subsequently Czech citizenship. The diploma, confirmed in the Czech Republic, is also recognized in other EU countries.
Prices are for 2021.
