7 European Countries Offering Visas to Foreign Medical Professionals
Several EU countries are facing shortages in healthcare jobs, according to the 2023 EURES report. Specialist doctors and nurses are in high demand, prompting these countries to simplify work visa processes for foreign professionals, Schengen.News reports.
Countries with notable healthcare shortages include Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands, Austria, and Denmark. Ireland and Switzerland, in particular, depend heavily on foreign doctors and nurses. Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland have the highest reliance on foreign-trained doctors, while Ireland, Switzerland, and Austria have the greatest need for foreign-trained nurses.
The 2023 EURES report highlights the most in-demand healthcare professions:
- Specialist medical practitioners
- Generalist medical practitioners
- Nursing professionals
- Healthcare assistants
- Midwifery professionals
- Physiotherapists
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Audiologists and speech therapists
The aging population is worsening these shortages, making it easier for foreign professionals in these fields to find jobs and obtain work visas.
Germany, in particular, has a severe shortage of healthcare workers. In 2023, about 12% of doctors in Germany—around 62,000—were foreign nationals, a 7% increase from ten years ago. The country is also facing a critical shortage of nurses, needing an additional 150,000 by 2025. German authorities are actively seeking nursing staff from abroad, including Latin America.
Additionally, some EU countries, like Germany and Denmark, have recently relaxed immigration laws, increasing the chances for foreign workers to get work visas.
