Introduction
Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium is Western European country, bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France and the North Sea. It is one of the six founding countries of the European Union. Dutch (59% speakers), French (41% speakers) and German (few German speakers) are the three official languages in the country. So the country has Flanders (Dutch speakers) and Walloon (French Speakers) making it population 12 million (2016 est ). Brussels is Capital of Belgium
Belgium has one of the most developed health care system in the world. Life expectancy is 79.69. Health care is financed through social security contribution and taxation while Health Insurance is mandatory in the country.
More health statistics can bee seen here.
WHO Health profile of Belgium can be seen here
Undergraduate Medical Education
Undergraduate medical education in Belgium starts after 15.5 years of school education and the language of instruction differs according to the region.(Detailed structure of education in Belgium).
Belgium accounts for dozens of universities and medical schools. Medical studies in Belgium are available either in French or in Dutch. Some of the popular universities are:
1. Universities and medical schools in Belgium in French:-
- Université Libre de Bruxelles – Faculté de médecine
- Université Catholique de Louvain – Faculté de médecine et de médecine dentaires
- Université de Liège – Faculté de médecine
- Université de Mons – Faculté de médecine
- Facultés universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix – Faculté de médecine
Entry into these french medical faculties for local and foreign students requires passing a competitive exam called “le test d’orientation du secteurs de la santé”. More information for this entry exam can be found here.
2. Universities and medical schools in Flemish Belgium (Dutch):-
- Universiteit Antwerpen – Faculté de médecine
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel – Faculté de médecine et de pharmacie
- Universiteit Gent – Faculté de médecine et de sciences de la vie
- Universiteit Hasselt – Faculté de médecine
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven – Faculté de médecine
Medical studies in Belgium are organized in three cycles:
- 1st cycle: bachelor: 3 year
- 2nd cycle: master: 4 year
These 2 cycles lead to the the State Diploma of Doctor of Medicine (MD)
3. 3rd cycle: Complementary master of specialization: (generalist or specialist doctor) 3- 6 years
Belgian medical students society
Residency/Complementary master of specialization
Belgium medical residency training is mostly master degree training/3rd cycle training. Faculty of medicine of liege offers many complementary master of specialization
1. Graduate candidates of Belgium
At the end of the 7 years , students receive the title of “Doctor”. However, they must complete their studies with a complementary master of specialization in order to practice. Specializations in medicine (general medicine or other specialties) are subject to restrictions by federal quotas imposed by the Federal Government.
The graduate medical student should apply for a selection test which different in each specialty and is established by the ministry of French community high education
2. Graduate candidates from other EU Countries
These graduate medical student can apply for complementary masters of specialization (selection test )
3. Graduate candidates from Non EU Countries
These candidates can’t apply for complete specialization in Belgium. However they can either submit an application for diploma equivalence (which make them register in the first year in second cycle: master) or continue their education through the university certificate in partial specialized training.
For the partial specialized training , they should apply for selection test.
Can find more information here and here
Licence/Registration
At the end of “ master complémentaire “ the specialist candidate” should apply the ministerial commission for licence application “demande d’agrément” then register to “ ordre des médécins” to practice medicine in Belgium
Foreign doctor can practice medicine in Belgium if they register in “ordre des médécins“. This National Council provides the possibility of submitting the foreign doctor to an aptitude test and/or to a Training period.
Eligibility
1. For medical student wishing to enroll in basic medical education in Belgium
For local students:
- Passing the competitive exam “le test d’orientation du secteurs de la santé”
For foreign students:
- Equivalency diploma of the end of secondary education which is given by the Ministry of Education (Wallonie-Bruxelles federation)
- French language competency certificate (B1)
- Passing the competitive exam “le test d’orientation du secteurs de la santé”
2. For Belgium medical residency / complementary master of specialization
For Local Students:
- Basic medical graduate certificate
- Passing the selection exam according to each specialty
For EU students:
- Basic medical graduate certificate
- Be authorized to practice medicine in Belgium
- Passing the selection test
For Non EU students:
- Basic medical graduate certificate
- French language competitive exam or B2 Certificate
Procedure
1. Procedure for foreign student non EU to study medicine in Belgium:
- Application for admission to an educational institution (faculties of medicine)
- Application for temporary residence permit for study
- Application of equivalence of diploma of higher secondary school education to Ministry of Education (Wallonie-Bruxelles federation)
- French Language Competence Certificate (B2)
2. Procedure for local student to access Belgium medical residency / medical specialization:
Any local medical student at the end of second cycle can apply for selection test.
3. Procedure for foreign Non EU doctors to access to partial medical specialization:
- Student should contact directly the chief of the specialty department of interest
- If he/she selects you, you should contact Admissions Center, Fill the application form which must be accompanied by the authorization of the chief of that department
- Then file is sent to the jury for approval
- The official registration authorization is sent to the doctors accompanied by a acceptance certificate in the program which allows him to apply for a student visa and a document specifying the dates and registration details.
- To obtain exemption of training or for recognition of specialists qualification, doctors should contact Ministry of Health to know more about process of equivalence and exemption.
4. Procedure for foreign EU doctors to access to Belgian medical residency/specialization:
check eligibility criteria and know if his basic medical qualification allows him access to a master of specialization then check for an online application form and submit required documents. Also he needs to send cv and cover letter to dean of faculty of medicine he can apply for selection test
5. Procedure for foreign doctor to work in Belgium:
For EEA, Swiss and Non EU doctors
- Submit application for equivalence of diploma to Ministry of Education (Wallonie-Bruxelles federation)
- Submit an individual application for approval of training supervisor to Public Health care (FPS Public Health). (For training supervisor for medicine, training supervisor for dentists, For specialists supervisors)
For Non EEA doctor should apply to Ministry of Health for equivalence of his specialization to to give him authorization to practice in Belgium.
Documentation
1. For Non EU doctors to apply for Belgium medical residency/master de specialization in Université de Liège – Faculté de médecine
- Fill an application form
- Cover letter
- Copy of passport
- Certified copy Higher Secondary School certificate (translated in French)
- Certified copy of basic medical qualification
- Certified copy of detailed transcript of record for basic medical qualification
- Detailed curriculum of basic medical qualification
- The higher education pattern/plan from country of graduation.
- A summary of your graduation project/thesis in French or English with copy of the table of contents.
- Copy of French language proficiency certificate (minimum B2 level)
- Proof of proficiency in English: Proof of completion of a standardized test (IELTS, TOEFL etc) proving the required level (B1)
- Scholarship and Student Loan: Certification of stock agency or lender stating the amount, duration, destination funding.
- Commitment of care.
- Bank account with balances greater than € 10,000: proof that money can be transferred to an account in Belgium.
Additional optional documents:
- Certificate(s) of original work(s) specifying the dates of beginning and end of activities
- Certification contribution to a social insurance fund for self-employed
- Unemployment Certification
- Certificate of military service
2. For EU doctors to apply for Belgium medical residency /”master de specialization” in Université de Liège – Faculté de médecine
- Fill Application form for EU students
- Cover letter
- Copy of passport
- Certified copy Higher Secondary School certificate (translated in French)
- Certified copy of basic medical qualification
- Certified copy of detailed transcript of record for basic medical qualification
- Detailed curriculum of basic medical qualification
- The higher education pattern/plan from country of graduation.
- A summary of your graduation project/these in French or English and a copy of the table of contents
- Copy of French language proficiency certificate B2 level at least
- Proof of proficiency in English: Proof of completion of a standardized test proving the required level (B1)
Additional optional documents
- Certificate (s) of original work (s) specifying the dates of beginning and end of activities;
- Certification contribution to a social insurance fund for self-employed;
- Unemployment Certification;
- Certificate of military service;
3. For Registration to practice medicine in Belgium :
To register to ordre des médécins of Belgium submit these documents.
- Equivalence diploma certificate from Ministry of Education (Wallonie-Bruxelles federation) (after submitting application for equivalence of diploma to Ministry of Education (Wallonie-Bruxelles federation)).
- The medical degree recognized equivalence certificate issued by the Federal Public Health;
- A statement by the applicant indicating the place where it has or will have its main activities.
- A certificate of good life and morals
- Registration certificate/License from home country or country of latest job.
- Good standing certificate (not older than 3 months)
Examination
1. Undergraduate medical education entry test “ test d’orientation “.
The test is MCQs based and consists of 2 parts and evaluates the student’s competence (knowledge and understanding) in six subjects i.e. mathematics (25 questions) English (20 issues) biology (25 questions) French (15 questions) Physics (25 questions) Chemistry (25 questions)
2. The selection test for local student into Belgium medical residency program
The selection test is marked out of a maximum of 100 points, divided as follows:
- Results obtained during the second round: 50 point
- Particular result in teaching second cycle directly related to the specialization
- Theoretical examinations, training: 25 points
- Test of Jury/viva exam: 25 points (Evaluation of specific skills and motivation of the student)
3. The selection test for foreign student into Belgium medical residency program
There is oral and written test to evaluate the student ‘s competence.
Fee
For” test d’orientation” is 30 euro
Salary
General Practitioner: 2500 – 4500 euro/month, Specialist doctor : 2500- 5500 euro/month
More information about salaries of doctors in Belgium
Postgraduate Medical Education
Every specialist candidate can apply to register in “ l’école docorale en médécine Clinique “ and carry out part of his training in research and reach to MD /PhD degree.
Some universities e.g. Université Catholique de Louvain offers continuous medical education (CME) programs and courses which are good for doctors to update their professional knowledge.
Training courses by Université Libre de Bruxelles allow doctors to update their knowledge and enhance their professional skills.
Links
Université de Liège – Faculté de médecine
i want to start my master program in belgium.i am from pakistan.is languahe compulsory for master programs?
yes language is compulsory. since there are dutch and French medical schools. but always remember clinical courses in most countries usually are in their official languages
hi i am registered doctor in uk. Can i apply for registration and permision to work in belgium? Do i need to appear in exam or i can apply for exemption?
If u are registered in UK. u might get exemption for exam. But still u will be required to have knowledge of French B2 level. Kindly visit this site https://ordomedic.be/
and open links which are there in the post for more information
I have finshed my diploma and masters in anesthesia in india what should i do to do a fellowship I belgium and work in belgium
how is the pay scale
you should Submit application for equivalence of diploma to Ministry of Education (Wallonie-Bruxelles federation), then Submit an individual application for approval of training supervisor to Public Health care (FPS Public Health) and you should apply to Ministry of Health for equivalence of your specialization to give you authorization to practice in Belgium. (all links are in post) u will be required to have good knowledge of French (B2) and pay for anesthesiologist is 236073 euro / year
i am a general practioner.can i get permission and registration to work in beljium and admission also in master programe ?
I started dermatology residency this year in kabul-afghanistan so can i continue my residency in belgium?
so please give me complete information about joining or participation
in belgium : there is partial specialization , to access to any specialty candidate should pass selection test , in the first he should contact chief of department of the specialty concerned , should contact directly the chief of the specialty department of interest
If he/she selects you, you should contact Admissions Center, Fill the application form which must be accompanied by the authorization of the chief of that department
Then file is sent to the jury for approval
The official registration authorization is sent to the doctors accompanied by a acceptance certificate in the program which allows him to apply for a student visa and a document specifying the dates and registration
How we can contact the head of department for master course.B2 language is required after approval or before.
you should know language when you start your studies there and get admission into the program
there is complete list of universities with faculties according to their language of studies. kindly open them and translate their faculties pages and you can easily find professors and deans of those faculties
http://www.residencydatabase.com/belgium/
Hello , am in my last year to finish my cardiology diploma i would like to ask if i can apply for practical training in the cath lab.department to improve my skills and learn new things .
yes you can
I am about to finish my orthopedic residency in Syria.
I am planning to specialize in Belgium .
Can i get visa for language course with conditional accept from chief
yes you can always write the Chief. But without your language proficiency you will not have much luck. So first search for different language schools and then apply for admission in them and get visa for the language. only after your language proficiency you can apply for specialty exam or evaluation
Mr. Khan could u write down some links for dermatology school . Since I wanna apply for dermatology next year so I could contact the chief of dermatology department there . Thanks a lot
there are no specific dermatology schools. but all of those medicine schools or faculties they offer dermatology courses as well. kindly contact them
I’ve done primaries and Intermediate exams in Otorhinolaryngology in SA, is it possible to complete the training in Belgium? NB. I also speak some French.
you need B2 level of French and then apply for belgium exam in your specialty. Because I don’t think South African exam is recognized in Belgium
I am German but I have studied medicine in Bolivia, can I apply as an EU doctor?
yes you can
Hello im from Sudan i just graduated from med school this year and i want to start my residency program in belgium and also i was to do my masters a double major one in public health and the other in pediatrics im aware that i need to perfect my french. But other than that what do i need to do to get in a residency program and a masters program in Belgium.
you need apply to pass selection test. Details are already in the Post
hello,
I’m a medical student from Lebanon.
I would like to apply for residency in Belgium. I read that there’s only partial residency for non-EU students
May I know what do u mean by partial residency ? And is there a university in Belgium with full residency for non-EU students ?
partial residency is just for some years , no , there is no full residency for non EU students
please i have a bachelor degree in anatomy from a Nigeria University,and I Wish To Specialize In General Surgery In Belgium,i Want You To Explain In Full Details How To Go About This,details Should Include Tuition Fee,living Cost,duration,and How To Apply.
sir , you have apply to pass selection test in general surgery for partial specialization , the fee of this test is 30 euro , living in blgium is bit expensive
Ive done my graduation M.D in Russia…I want to do radiology in Belgium… How can I apply?
Since you are non EU graduate you have apply to pass selection test in radiology , there is just partial specialization
i am working as thoracic surgeon for last 14 years but never done post grad studies ,i am interested in residency in same ,how can i go about it .presently working in bahamas.
well your experience as thoracic surgeon would not be considered because you don’t have postgraduate qualification. But for residency if you want to start in Belgium then you will need good command on Dutch or French language and then sit for residency exam after licensing exam.
Hello;
I am a Saudi physician .working as a primary care physician in Saudi Arabia and I have been graduated from carol Davila faculty of medicine and surgery from Romania since 2012 ,I would like to ask you how I can to apply for family medicine residency program in Belgium .
Thank you very much
Hi,
Since Romania joined EU in 2007 so it means your qualification from Romania is already recognized in Belgium. All you need to do is to learn French language till B2 level atleast and then apply for residency program as an EU graduate. details about eligibility and documentation can be found in the post and links mentioned there
Thank you very much
So this mean I can apply asa EU doctor even if I am not but I have been graduated from EU country ?
how I can do these next steps(eligibility /documentation ) ?
Can I get a conditioned acceptance from program director befor starting language courses (I mean by conditioned acceptance = that a they accept me as a resident but fter taking this b2 level you will start the program ) ?
this for my job (sponsor job )
Sorry for inconvenience Mr Juniad
yes you are EU doctor if you graduated from EU Country. First you should learn the language and get a valid B2 certificate proving your proficiency in it. Then apply for license/registration in Belgium and then go for Residency/complimentary master. here are details for that
MR;Junaid khan
first of all thank you very much
And I am sorry about all these questions ☺️;
• can I get the residency program acceptance befor taking the language courses( I mean Can I get a condioned acceptance ;that include the acceptance of language courses and residency program ) because my country will pay for me during the program and they asking me to bring either acceptance in residency program or conditioned acceptance including both language course and program?!!
• how I can do the documentation /eligibility?
•how I can contact the hospitals or faculties?
((thank you very much and I am sorry for these Qs))
Hi! I have graduated from Medical University in Ukraine as a dentist, now I am finishing my internship.
I would like to move to Belgium and start practice.
What permissions and exams do I need to pass? (work permit, language exam, some specialozation exams, etc)
Do I need to prove equivalence of diploma, if Ukraine is signed up to the Bologna Process?
Well first of all Yes Ukraine has signed bologna process for both bachelors and masters degree. So your qualification is equivalent. Secondly please read again eligibility and documentation section. You can find all relative information there. But you definitely need Language proficiency over there
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Mr. Hi, I am registered dentist in China. Master’s degree，1 year working experience. Can I apply for registration and permision to work in Belgium? I know the language proficiency certificate is needed, will Dunch B2 be OK?
Is there any successful cases which foreign doctor working in Belgium, especially Chinese? Will it be very difficult?
I need to do as the “3. For Registration to practice medicine in Belgium” ,which you have list above?
Look forward to your reply.
Thank you very much.
1/Yeah doctors from Non EU country can work in beligium if they get recogization of their diploma and then he/she can pass aptitude exam , yeah French language is required