Equivalency of the Human Medicine degree

Recognition of a Human Medicine Degree in Austria

Anyone who wants to practise as a doctor in Austria must first have their foreign medical qualification recognised. The pathway depends on whether the diploma was obtained in the EU/EEA/Switzerland or in a third country.

1. Diploma from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland

• Recognition is automatic under the EU Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EC), processed by the Austrian Medical Chamber (Österreichische Ärztekammer, ÖÄK).
• Application: “Application for automatic recognition of an EEA professional qualification” submitted to the ÖÄK.
• Processing time: usually up to 3 months (up to 4 months for non-automatic recognition).
• After recognition, registration in the Register of Physicians (Ärzteliste) is done through the relevant State Medical Chamber.

2. Diploma from a third country (outside EU/EEA/Switzerland)

In this case, a Nostrification (Nostrifizierung) of the medical degree is generally required – i.e. formal equivalence with the Austrian Human Medicine diploma programme. The process, in brief:

1. Submit a nostrification application to a medical university that offers the programme (MedUni Vienna, MedUni Graz, or MedUni Innsbruck) – only one university at a time.
2. Provide all documents in original or certified copy, including certified German translations for non-German documents.
3. A content comparison is made between the foreign degree and the Austrian curriculum; a spot-check test (Stichprobentest) may be required.
4. If gaps are identified, supplementary examinations and/or a scientific thesis may be prescribed.
5. After a positive nostrification decision: registration in the Register of Physicians at the Austrian Medical Chamber.
6. Post-graduate training (which can be shortened through credit recognition), depending on the chosen path (general medicine or specialist training).
7. Finally: passing the ÖÄK licensing examination for general medicine or the relevant specialty – full professional authorisation is granted only after this step.

Note: fees and timelines change periodically – please always verify the current amounts and forms directly with the official bodies linked below.

Official Contacts & Sources

• Austrian Medical Chamber – Taking up medical practice in Austria
• Medical University of Vienna – Nostrification
• Medical University of Graz – Nostrification
• Medical University of Innsbruck – Nostrification process
• Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research – Nostrification
• ENIC NARIC Austria

For personal guidance on your individual case, the Arab Medical Association in Austria is happy to help.