Recognition of Foreign Medical Credentials for Practicing Medicine in Ukraine

Recognition (or legalization) of a doctor’s documents obtained outside Ukraine is a mandatory requirement under current legislation. Even if a medical professional has extensive experience, international certificates, and a strong reputation in the professional community, they are not permitted to practice medicine in Ukraine without completing the official recognition procedure.

The recognition process includes several stages and involves interaction with various government authorities — the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health, employment centers, etc. It requires collecting a significant set of documents, strictly following established procedures, and, in some cases, completing additional training or an internship. Due to bureaucratic specifics and a certain degree of unpredictability in the approaches of government agencies, foreign specialists often encounter difficulties in this process.

In this article, we will take a closer look at which documents are subject to recognition, how the nostrification process and the issuance of a permit to practice medicine in Ukraine work, the most common challenges doctors face, and how professional legal support can significantly simplify this path.

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Which documents of a foreign doctor require recognition in Ukraine?

A foreign doctor planning to carry out professional activities in Ukraine must first undergo the recognition (nostrification) procedure for educational documents issued by a foreign institution. This process is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. However, for the medical profession, an educational document alone is not sufficient — recognition of professional qualifications is also required, which is carried out by the Ministry of Health. The following documents are subject to recognition:

• Diploma of medical education (higher or secondary specialized)
• Specialist certificate
• Documents confirming work experience
• Documents on additional training (internship, specialization courses, etc.)

Procedure for the recognition of medical documents in Ukraine

The procedure for recognizing documents issued to a doctor abroad consists of several consecutive stages, each with its own specifics depending on the country of origin of the document and the purpose for which the doctor is applying (employment, education, licensing, etc.).

Stage One: Recognition of Educational Documents (Nostrification)

The nostrification procedure is carried out by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and concludes with a decision on the full or partial recognition of the equivalence of the documents, or a refusal to recognize the equivalence of the educational documents.

Stages of nostrification:

1. Preparation of the necessary documents
2. Submission of documents to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine
3. Expert evaluation of the documents
4. Conclusion of the expert commission
5. Issuance of a recognition certificate

List of required documents:

• A copy and a Ukrainian translation of the legalized foreign educational document and its supplement, certified in accordance with the established legal procedure (type of legalization – a document bearing an "Apostille" stamp); originals may be required for verification.
• An application for the recognition procedure, completed in Ukrainian and signed by the applicant.
• A consent form for the verification of personal data, completed in English and signed by the holder of the foreign educational document.
• Consent to the processing of personal data. If the applicant is the holder of foreign educational documents, only the upper part of the form must be completed.
• Copies of identity documents of the applicant and the holder of the foreign educational document, if the holder is not the applicant (translations into Ukrainian may be required).
• Proof of payment for the administrative service (receipt) or a copy of a document confirming the right to exemption from payment.

Please note: The applicant has the right to submit other documents confirming their education and/or qualifications.

Second Stage: Obtaining Permission for Professional Activity in Ukraine

After the recognition of educational documents by the Ministry of Education and Science, the next step is to submit an application to the Ministry of Health for the right to carry out professional activity in Ukraine. The application must be accompanied by copies certified in accordance with the established procedure of the following documents:

• The certificate from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine on the recognition of the foreign educational document
• The educational document
• The specialist physician certificate
• Documents confirming the level of qualification (certificate of advanced training and the presence of a qualification category in the specialty)
• A document confirming work experience in the specialty;
• An identity document of the applicant

Educational documents, qualification documents, and other documents submitted by the applicant — a foreign doctor — must be translated into Ukrainian and certified in accordance with the established procedure.

Based on the submitted documents, additional conditions may be determined, the fulfillment of which will allow the doctor’s qualification level to be recognized as meeting the qualification requirements.

The Ministry of Health may set additional conditions for doctors, which may include additional training, such as internship preparation, specialization courses, internship with the awarding (or confirmation) of the specialist physician title, etc

Only after completing all stages (diploma recognition, qualification confirmation, and, if necessary, additional certification), a foreign doctor may:

• Obtain a license for medical practice (if planning to work independently — for example, to open a private practice)
• Be employed by a medical institution (public or private)
• Enter into an agreement with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) upon registration in the eHealth system (ESOH).

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Difficulties During the Nostrification Procedure and Obtaining Permission for Medical Practice for Foreign Nationals

The nostrification procedure and the process of obtaining permission to practice medicine in Ukraine require particular attention to detail and are, understandably, quite complex for foreign doctors. This, in turn, leads to obstacles and unnecessary stress.

Below are the most common difficulties encountered by foreign specialists:

• It often happens that documents are submitted without an official translation into Ukrainian or with a translation that is not notarized.
• Documents may contain errors in names, dates, or institution names, which leads to rejection of the application.
• Sometimes the document package lacks diploma supplements or pages confirming specialization or academic workload.
• Applications may be signed by an unauthorized person or completed in violation of formal requirements.
• Many foreign specialists submit documents without proper legalization or an apostille, believing it is not required.
• If legalization is done incorrectly, the Ministry of Education and Science or the Ministry of Health may refuse to consider the submitted documents at all.
• Bureaucratic burden and processing time — the procedure can take from several months to a year, especially if documents require revision, translation, or additional information.

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Legal Support for Foreign Doctors

Starting medical practice in Ukraine for a foreign specialist is not just about diploma nostrification. It also involves understanding local requirements, legal nuances, and bureaucratic procedures. This is where the support of those familiar with the system becomes essential.

That is why our team offers full legal support at all stages:

• Preliminary document analysis: We assess your diploma and its supplements to identify possible risks and inaccuracies before submitting the documents.
• Preparation and legalization of documents: We assist in properly obtaining an apostille or consular legalization, official translation, and notarization.
• Communication with authorized bodies: We handle interaction with the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health, and other institutions.
• Consultations on obtaining a medical license in Ukraine: We explain the procedure, professional requirements, and assist in preparing all necessary permits.
• Support in obtaining a medical license in Ukraine: We compile the required document package, complete applications, information, and descriptions, submit them to the licensing authority, and monitor the results.

We take the complex and make it clear. Your job is to be a doctor. Ours is to ensure you have the legal right to work in Ukraine as soon as possible.

Submit your application today, and very soon you will know how to get started.