European doctors — work in France, Belgium or Switzerland

Publié le :

ABOUT US

A human-first approach to medical recruitment

Saint-Luc Recrutement Médical is a French recruitment agency specialising exclusively in healthcare. Founded and led by Elodie Meurant, our team combines deep expertise in human resources with a thorough knowledge of the French, Belgian and Swiss healthcare systems.

We work with doctors, surgeons, and physiotherapists from across Europe who are looking for a new professional chapter — whether in a public hospital, a private clinic, or an independent practice. Our service is 100% free for candidates.

"Here, everything starts with the human being." We don't send job lists. We build careers.

WHO WE HELP

Healthcare professionals across Europe

We work with doctors and physiotherapists from all European countries, whether their diploma is automatically recognised under EU law or requires a full equivalence review.

• Romania

• Portugal

• Spain

• Italy

• Greece

• Poland

• Germany

• Hungary

• Czech Republic

• Slovakia

• Bulgaria

• Croatia

• Lithuania

• Latvia

• Slovenia

• Serbia

• Ukraine

• United Kingdom

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Diploma recognition — what you need to know

Before you can practise medicine in France, Belgium or Switzerland, your diploma must be recognised by the relevant professional authority. The process depends on where your diploma was issued.

EU / EEA diplomas — automatic recognition

If your diploma was issued in an EU or EEA country, you benefit from automatic recognition under EU Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. No additional exams are required in 95% of cases.

You simply register with the Conseil Départemental de l'Ordre des Médecins (local medical council) of the department where you intend to practise. The council verifies your diploma and may conduct a French language check.

The legal basis in French law is Articles R4112-1 to R4112-12 of the Code de la santé publique, which govern registration with the Ordre des Médecins.

Official sources & useful links:

🏛  CNOM — How to register with the Ordre des Médecins (France)  —  conseil-national.medecin.fr

📋  CNOM — Conditions for practising medicine in France  —  conseil-national.medecin.fr

⚖️  Légifrance — Articles R4112-1 to R4112-12, Code de la santé publique  —  legifrance.gouv.fr

🇪🇺  EU Directive 2005/36/EC — Recognition of Professional Qualifications  —  eur-lex.europa.eu

🇧🇪  Ordomedic — Registration with a foreign diploma (Belgium)  —  ordomedic.be

Non-EU diplomas (Ukraine, Serbia, UK post-Brexit…)

If your diploma was issued outside the EU/EEA, you must apply for a full equivalence review through the Centre National de Gestion (CNG). This may include a compensatory measure such as an aptitude test or a supervised placement period. We guide you through the entire process and help you build the strongest possible application file from the start.

OUR PROCESS

Your journey with Saint-Luc — step by step

We don't just send job offers. We walk alongside you from the very first administrative step to your first day in your new position.

1.  Diploma recognition support

We guide you through registration with the CNOM or ORDREMK. We help you build your complete application file and submit it correctly — whether your diploma requires automatic recognition or a full equivalence review.

▸ Administrative file managed with you

2.  Personalised discovery interview

A dedicated consultant takes time to understand your expectations: specialty, type of institution, preferred region, working conditions, and life project. Your path is unique — we listen carefully, in complete confidentiality.

▸ Genuine listening & full confidentiality

3.  Targeted job opportunities

We select positions that precisely match your profile from our network of partners across France, Belgium and Switzerland — public hospitals, private clinics, and independent practices. No bulk lists: only what is right for you.

▸ Qualified & personalised offers

4.  Interview scheduling & preparation

We arrange interviews with healthcare institutions and prepare you to approach them with confidence. We act as the link between you and HR teams or medical directors, and support you before and after every meeting.

▸ Interview preparation & coaching

5.  Relocation support

Housing, local administrative formalities, bank account opening, integration into your new team — we help you settle in and feel at home in your new country. You will never face bureaucracy alone.

▸ On-the-ground support after arrival

6.  Start date & ongoing follow-up

Our mission does not end when you sign your contract. We remain available after you start your new role to make sure your integration is a genuine, long-term success.

▸ Follow-up after hiring

SPECIALITIES

All medical & paramedical specialities

• General Medicine

• Surgery

• Anaesthesiology

• Psychiatry

• Paediatrics

• Gynaecology & Obstetrics

• Radiology

• Emergency Medicine

• Internal Medicine

• Cardiology

• Neurology

• Oncology

• Physiotherapy

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Q. Do I need to speak French to apply?

A working level of French (B2 minimum) is required to practise in France, Belgium or French-speaking Switzerland. If your French is still developing, we can advise you on language training options and help you plan your move accordingly.

Q. How long does the diploma recognition process take?

For EU diplomas, registration with the CNOM typically takes 2 to 4 months once the file is complete. For non-EU diplomas requiring a full equivalence review, the process can take 6 to 12 months. Starting early and submitting a complete file avoids the most common delays.

Official French Medical Council links

👉 Register with the French Medical Council (CNOM)
https://www.conseil-national.medecin.fr/en/medecin/carriere/register-ordre-medecins

👉 Practising medicine in France – requirements
https://www.conseil-national.medecin.fr/en/medecin/carriere/practising-medicine-france

Q. Is your service free for candidates?

Yes, entirely free. Our recruitment service costs nothing for healthcare professionals. We are paid by the institutions that hire through us — never by candidates.

Q. Can I do locum work while waiting for full recognition?

In some cases, yes. Locum (remplacement) positions can be arranged under specific conditions while your full registration is being processed. Our consultants will assess your situation and advise you on the best approach.

Q. What types of institutions do you work with?

We work with public hospitals (CHU, CH), private clinics, medical centres, outpatient practices, and rehabilitation facilities across France, Belgium and Switzerland.

TESTIMONIALS

What our candidates say

« Saint-Luc really helped me find a job in France. The team is professional and always ready to help, even after hiring. Thank you for the support! »

— Géraldine Z., Physiotherapist (Lebanon → France)

« Thanks to their responsiveness and attentiveness, I was able to seize a professional opportunity that fully matched my needs. »

— Nela K., Psychiatrist

Ready to take the next step?

Registration is free. A consultant will get in touch to discuss your project.

→ Register for free     bienvenue@stl-medicalrh.com