How Can a Foreigner Obtain a Medical License in Ukraine?

For a foreign doctor seeking to practice in Ukraine, obtaining a medical license is not only important; it is mandatory. Without this document, any medical activity is considered illegal.

The licensing process involves many nuances: registering as a sole proprietor or establishing an LLC, obtaining a tax identification number (TIN), securing premises, and submitting documents to the Ministry of Health. Many doctors face difficulties at these stages, and for foreign nationals, the process can be particularly challenging due to legal requirements and language barriers

It is important to understand that even a single mistake can lead to a denial of the medical license. So, how can foreign doctors obtain a medical license in Ukraine without making critical errors? How can those who cannot be physically present in Ukraine complete all necessary procedures? Can a foreign national obtain a medical license remotely?

In this article, we will share our experience and highlight a real-life case of our client, a doctor from Germany who successfully obtained a medical license and opened a private medical office in Ukraine without being physically present in the country.

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Obtaining a Medical License for a Foreign Doctor

Any doctor, including a foreign national, who wishes to start a medical business in Ukraine must obtain a medical license to operate legally. This is important for several reasons:

1. Official confirmation of the right to practice medicine: Even if a doctor holds a valid qualification from a Ukrainian university, they must obtain the appropriate authorization in the form of a license to engage in professional activity.
2. Requirement of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine: Medical practice without a proper license is considered a violation of the law and may result in fines or criminal liability.
3. Access to international cooperation with foreign medical institutions: Holding a Ukrainian medical license may facilitate the recognition of qualifications in other countries or support international cooperation.

We were approached by a doctor from Germany who had graduated from a Ukrainian medical university and planned to obtain a medical license to open a private practice in Kyiv.

At the time of contacting our law firm, he was abroad and unable to come to Ukraine to complete the necessary procedures. Therefore, we arranged full remote support for the licensing process, which consisted of several stages.

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Preparing a Power of Attorney for License Processing

Since our client was located abroad, we began by preparing a power of attorney authorizing our law firm to carry out the necessary procedures in Ukraine. This allowed us to:

• Obtain a TIN for the foreign national.
• Register a sole proprietorship (FOP).
• Lease premises that meet medical standards.

The power of attorney was notarized in Germany and legalized for use in Ukraine.

TIN Registration for a Foreign National

The next step was registering the TIN for the foreign national. To legally conduct business in Ukraine, every foreign citizen must obtain a TIN. We promptly prepared and submitted all the required documents, and within three days, the client received the tax number.

This allowed us to move on to the next stage—registering the sole proprietorship FOP and beginning preparations for opening the medical office.

Registration of a Sole Proprietorship for a Foreign Doctor

To engage in medical practice, our client needed to register as a sole proprietor. Our legal team:

• Selected the appropriate NACE codes corresponding to medical activities;
• Submitted the registration application for the sole proprietorship through a state registrar (notary);
• Arranged the opening of a bank account for business operations.

In addition, we provided ongoing legal support, including assistance with filing reports, paying taxes, and communicating with the tax authorities.

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Leasing a Premises in Compliance with Accessibility Requirements

To obtain a medical license, the premises must comply with all State Building Codes (DBN) and be accessible to persons with limited mobility. Therefore, for our client, we:

• Selected a suitable property in Kyiv;
• Prepared documentation confirming the premises’ compliance with sanitary and construction regulations;
• Executed the lease agreement in accordance with medical facility requirements;
• Obtained an expert opinion confirming the premises’ accessibility for persons with limited mobility.

It is important to note that every step was made as convenient as possible for our client, despite his being located abroad.

During the property selection process, we maintained video communication, allowing the doctor to make an informed decision based on real-time photos and videos of the premises. This enabled him to actively participate in each stage of the process, even while outside Ukraine.

Preparation and Submission of Documents to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine

After successfully completing all preliminary stages, we proceeded to the preparation and submission of documents to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. This was the final step in legalizing our client's medical practice.

We prepared and submitted:

1. An application for a license to carry out business activities in medical practice as a foreign doctor.
2. Information on the state of material and technical resources, as well as details about personnel, including their education and qualifications.
3. A description of the documents attached to the application.

Just a few weeks after submission, the client received the license and was able to officially begin his medical practice in Ukraine.

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Legal Assistance for Foreign Doctors

Foreign doctors seeking to begin medical practice in Ukraine often face numerous challenges: language barriers, a lack of familiarity with Ukrainian laws and procedures, and the absence of local contacts. However, with the experience of the law firm Pravova Dopomoga, this process can be smooth, convenient, and efficient.

Thanks to our professional support, the doctor was able to complete the entire licensing process without obstacles, even while remaining abroad. We provided full legal assistance — from preparing the power of attorney to submitting the final documents to the Ministry of Health. This approach not only saved time but also helped avoid common mistakes that often lead to license refusals.

If you are a foreign doctor seeking to begin medical practice in Ukraine, we are ready to guide you through the process with ease. Our firm provides full legal support at every stage:

• Consultation: Assessment of the client’s situation, selection of the appropriate legal structure (sole proprietorship or LLC), and development of a step-by-step action plan.
• Document preparation: Drafting applications, powers of attorney, and ensuring compliance with the Ministry of Health requirements.
• Business registration: Establishment of a sole proprietorship or LLC, selection of a tax system, and obtaining a tax identification number (TIN) for foreign nationals.
• Premises leasing: Locating a facility that meets licensing requirements, verifying documents, and executing the lease agreement.
• License acquisition: Compiling the document package, submitting the application, monitoring the review process, and obtaining the Ministry of Health’s decision.
• Ongoing support: Assistance with reporting, hiring medical staff, and expanding the practice.

Contact us for a consultation and to begin the licensing process. Submit a request or call us, we are here to help!