Relocating to Ireland as a Doctor
General Registration Process
Doctors Trained Outside of the EU/EEA
If you have trained outside of the EU or EEA, you will need to have your medical education credentials verified through the Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) before you can apply for registration with the Medical Council. EPIC is hosted by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). You can learn more about how to use EPIC on the EPIC website.
There are 3 sub-routes in which you can apply for General registration as a Non-EU applicant:
- Higher Qualification
- Certificate of Experience
- Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES)
Eligibility Requirements:
Doctors who have a higher qualification and have either worked in an internship for at least 12 months or have completed at least three years in an accredited training programme.
Doctors who have achieved a Certificate of Experience from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Sudan, Malaysia, the UK or Malta.
Doctors who aren’t eligible under the higher qualification or Certificate of Experience routes, can apply for the Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES) exam. Please see links for information on PRES and exemptions from PRES.
The following list of supporting documents will be required:
- Notarised copy of your passport.
- All Non-EU applicants must have their medical degree verified by EPIC
- All Non-EU applicants must have their internship (and if applicable their Higher Qualification diploma verified by EPIC)
- Certificate of Good Standing to be sent directly to the Medical Council, from each medical council you have worked under within the last five years. (From any authority you have been registered with.)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate dated within the last two years with an overall band score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 6.5 in each module. OET certificate is also accepted and you must have a score of B in each module.
- Please note that all documents for Non-EU applicants outside of your EPIC verification documents must be sent to the Medical Council by post. (This includes notarised passport, English language evidence and Certificate of Good Standing), please do not email these documents.
- The address details for sending documents is : Medical Council, Upper Ground and 5th Floor, Block 9 (Europa House), Harcourt Centre, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, D02 WR20.
Doctors Trained in the EU/EEA
If you have trained in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), you will be asked to create an account through our secure online facility.
You then need to complete an online application form and submit the following documents to support your application:
- Notarised copy of your passport.
- Translated and notarised copy of your original medical degree.
- Certificate of conformity stating that your training is in accordance with the EU directive 2005/36/EC (this does not apply to you if you completed your training in the UK).
- Certificate of Good Standing to be sent directly to the Medical Council, from each medical council you have worked under within the last five years.
Specialist Registration
Doctors Who Completed Specialist Training Outside of the EU/EEA
If you have either trained outside of the EU or EEA or have gained part of your training and experience in the EU or EEA, you will need to apply for specialist registration. Doctors who completed training outside of the EU or only partly in the EU must proceed via the The Category E route by requesting an application pack. This is a portfolio based application which will be assessed by the relevant training body in Ireland. Please request an application pack via our contact form.
Doctors Who Completed Specialist Training in the EU/EEA
If you have trained or are recognised as a specialist in the EU or EEA, you will have your qualifications automatically recognised by the Medical Council. You will be asked to create an account on the Irish Medical Council’s website to complete an online application form.
The following list of supporting documents will be required:
- Notarised copy of your passport.
- Translated and notarised copy of your original medical degree.
- Translated and notarised copy of your original Certificate of Specialist Training (if you are applying for Specialist Registration).
- Certificate of conformity stating that your training is in accordance with the EU directive 2005/36/EC (this does not apply to you if you completed your training in the UK).
- Certificate of good standing to be sent directly to the Medical Council, from each Medical Council you have registered and worked within during the last five years.
Next Steps
We have a dedicated compliance department to assist you with all your documentation should you be relocating to Ireland. If you can’t find the information you are looking visit www.medicalcouncil.ie.
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