A step-by-step approach to recognizing your medical diploma in Switzerland for EU/EFTA citizens, as well as for holders of a UK diploma, regardless of the applicant’s nationality.

So you are interested in working in Switzerland? No matter if you are a doctor or still a medical student, you’ve come to the right place! Recognizing your medical diploma is the first step to starting your medical residency in Switzerland. If you are already a specialist, you will also need to go through this process, aside from recognizing your speciality training.

Here you will find a concise summary of all necessary documents. Once you have gathered them, send a registered letter with confirmation of receipt to the official address of the Swiss Commission for Medical Professions (MEBEKO). Take in consideration you can only apply by post, thus applications sent by email will not be accepted.

Bundesamt für Gesundheit

MEBEKO

Schwarzenburgstrasse 157

CH–3003 Bern, Switzerland

The current processing time for applications is around three months. Around that time you will receive a letter from the MEBEKO confirming that they have received your documents and are analyzing your request. Expect your acceptance letter and payment request of 800-1000 CHF after 2-3 weeks. Once you have paid, your diploma recognition will be confirmed and you will be allowed to legally practice as a medical doctor in Switzerland!

All communication with the MEBEKO has to be either in german, french or italian (three of the four official languages of Switzerland). However, documents in english will also be accepted and don’t need to be translated. If any of the undermentioned documents are not written in any of these languages (DE/FR/IT/EN), you will need to get them professionally translated and then certified by your local notary, city/district administration or an embassy.

Now let’s go over all the documents you need to send:

• Application form: fill out your personal details, read the form attentively, sign and date it;

  • Download your form here: DE / FR / IT.

• Current and signed curriculum vitae written in DE/FR/IT/EN;

• Certified copy of your passport or identity card;

• Proof of language competency:

  • If you are not a native speaker, confirm a proficiency level of at least B2 in the Common European Framework in DE/FR/IT. Take in consideration that just a certificate from attending a language course won’t do! You need to have successfully passed an internationally recognized language exam, such as Goethe-Zertifikat, TestDaF, DELF/DALF, CELI, etc;
  • You are exempt of providing a language certificate if you have studied and concluded your medical diploma or if you have at least 3 years work experience of at least 3 years in a country in which has DE/FR/IT is an official language. Obviously, you will also have to attest to that fact with your diploma or work certificates;
  • If you are still learning an official swiss language and don’t want to delay sending your application further, the language proficiency proof is the only document you are allowed to send at a later time. When you are ready, you can submit your request online here.

• Certified copy of your medical school diploma in the original language:

  • The diploma must be issued by an authority named in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC or in the EFTA Agreement. If the diploma does not mention it is compliant with this directive, ask you medical school for a supplementary document;
  • Include a certified copy/original translation of your diploma if it is not written in DE/FR/IT/EN.

• Only for holders of UK diplomas: also submit your Certificate of Full Registration (GMC).

It’s important that your application is complete and according to MEBEKO’s specifications. If there are any missing documents, your application will be put on hold. As MEBEKO works through their application requests according to the arrival date of your letter, sending the remaining documents at a later time will inevitably delay the process. So better take your time to make sure everything is correct and don’t rush your application!

This application procedure also applies to third country nationals who are married to a EU/EFTA/swiss citizen and have a medical diploma issued by the EU/EFTA. In this case you will also need to send a certified copy of your spouse’s passport or identity card.

If you have any questions, please refer to the official website of the MEBEKO.

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