Medical universities in Hungary are known for their welcoming nature toward international students. In addition to low entry requirements and affordable fees, the abundance of career opportunities is a major attraction for international students. Students have tremendous career scope after medical (MBBS) studies in Hungary. They can:
- Become a medical practitioner in Hungary or any other country worldwide
- Pursue a doctoral (Ph.D.) or postgraduate degree
- Get residency training to become a specialist
- Become a medical professor/teacher
In addition to these conventional options, students can choose to do an MBA in healthcare, an MS in microbiology, or a diploma in health education. They can even become a medicolegal consultant or forensic medical examiner.
Below are some opportunities you can pursue after medical studies (MBBS) in Hungary.
Opportunities after medical studies in Hungary: Overview
| Practice medicine in Hungary | National Basic Register of Healthcare Professionals and Hungarian Medical Chamber |
| Practice medicine in UAE | MOH (Ministry of Health), DHA (Dubai Health Authority), DHCC (Dubai Healthcare City) or HAAD (Health Authority Abu Dhabi) |
| Practice medicine in India | National Medical Commission of India (NMC) |
| Post-graduation after MBBS in Hungary | Semmelweis University, University of Debrecen, the University of Szeged and University of Pécs |
| Other options | Ph.D., MBA, medical biotechnology, forensic medicine, etc. |
Practice Medicine in Hungary
The time period to become a doctor in Hungary is about 6 years. In the first five years, students learn the theoretical and preclinical aspects of medicine. The final year is devoted to clinical practice in universities or university-affiliated hospitals.
To start practicing, graduates need to register to get a license. The system of registration and licensing in Hungary is quite easy compared to other parts of Europe. Within 30 days of graduation, the university reports the newly graduated to the National Directorate General for Hospitals in order for them to be listed in the National Basic Register of Healthcare Professionals. Upon basic registration, students have to apply for a medical stamp. Students who wish to practice in Hungary should register themselves in the operational register and become members of the Hungarian Medical Chamber. The average salary for medical practitioners in Hungary is 13,900,000 HUF, or 35,175 USD (Salary explorer).
The MD degree obtained from a Hungarian medical university is recognized throughout the European Union and worldwide. Thus, students can move to other countries to practice medicine. Furthermore, they should fulfill the country-specific registration process to get a medical license in that country. Before that, they must first obtain a certificate from the National Directorate General for Hospitals to recognize the diploma in another country.
Practice Medicine in UAE
The demand for doctors in Dubai is quite high. The average salary of a doctor in Dubai is 20,419 USD which is pretty attractive. But you need a proper license to practice medicine in the UAE. In addition, students must complete 50 hours of continuing medical education (CME) per year to maintain and renew their licenses.
Candidates also need one year of university hospital training to apply for medical licensure in UAE. If students have done their training from a non-university hospital, 2 years of training is required.
Mentioned below are the licensing authorities and the allotted territories:
| Authority | Territory |
| MOH (Ministry of Health) | Northern Emirates |
| DHA (Dubai Health Authority) | Dubai |
| DHCC (Dubai Healthcare City) | Dubai |
| HAAD (Health Authority Abu Dhabi) | Abu Dhabi |
To obtain your license, you need to give and clear an exam. The pre-requisite for sitting for the exam is an MD degree for general doctors and a specialized degree for specialists. The application is reviewed within 2–4 weeks. After passing the exam, you will be given a labor and insurance card, which you must upload within 5 working days.
Eligibility criteria
- Basic MD degree/diploma from a recognized university in Hungary
- Diploma should be recognized by the Ministry of Health, UAE
Average salary
According to the latest reports by Salary explorer, a doctor working in UAE earns 153,827 USD per year (565,000 AED).
Practice Medicine in India
The students who have earned their MBBS degree from Hungary can practice medicine in India after clearing an exam called the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). It is conducted by the National Board of Examination (NBE). Only students who graduated from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, or the US are exempt from this test. In India, the National Medical Commission of India (NMC) issues the license to practice medicine.
Some NMC-approved medical colleges in Hungary are listed below:
Examination dates: The FMGE examination is conducted twice e year in June and December.
Eligibility criteria
- Medicine degree (MBBS) from a university recognized by NMC
- Documents proving that candidates have passed the final examination
Documents required:
- Passport size photograph
- Passport
- Signature
- Thumb impression
Average salary
The average salary of doctors/physicians in India is 11,013 USD or (900,000 INR) annually (Salary explorer).
Post-graduation in Hungary
Many medical graduates choose to pursue a residency or postgraduate training after graduation in order to advance their careers. Similar to the MD degree, there are four universities where students can pursue their medical specialization in Hungary.
- Semmelweis University
- University of Debrecen
- University of Szeged
- University of Pécs
The number of seats in each specialization is determined by the Ministry of Human Capacities. The curriculum of a specialization is based on the guidelines put forth by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). To get a position at any specialization, their score in the examination, Hungarian language proficiency, and performance in a personal interview are considered.
Generally, the following documents are required in order to apply for the postgraduate program at Hungarian universities:
- Passport size photographs
- Eligibility certificate
- Resume/CV
- Academic transcripts
- Medical fitness certificate
- Letter of recommendation
Depending on the type, each specialization has two parts: a common core training program that lasts 24 months and a professional specialist training phase that lasts 24 to 48 months. After completing a specialized program, students must sit for an exam that includes both theoretical and clinical components. The successful candidates receive a Hungarian specialist certificate from the National Board of Examination.
Other career options
Students who are interested in academics and research can consider taking a doctoral program. They can also try some offbeat options too like MBA in healthcare, forensic medicine, medical biotechnology, etc.
After medical studies in Hungary, the prospects are immense. Candidates can choose to work in a country of their choice, pursue a specialty residency program, or explore other healthcare professions. The number of doctors and nurses in Hungary is lower compared to the EU average. Therefore, the demand for medical professionals is higher.
According to reports, Hungary has highly skilled labor. This country has the 13th lowest income inequality in the world, which makes it a good choice for the upcoming generation that likes to consider all the factors when choosing their work country. Hungary also has great postgraduate courses and a student-friendly environment for students to smoothly pursue their desired programs.
Excited to study and start a career in Hungary? Gyanberry has various top-notch partner universities in Hungary that offer medical programs in English. We also provide visa and admission counseling services to all interested candidates. Get in touch with us to know more.
