Medical careers worldwide.
Part 2: Accessible countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

This group of countries offers a lower barrier to entry compared to the leading economies of Western Europe, but this is often accompanied by lower income levels and the need to learn less common languages.

Table 2: A comparison of Central, Eastern, and Southern European countries for a medical career

Rank	Country	GDP (PPP) per capita (IMF 2025, USD)	Path for non-EU citizens	Main requirements	Summary
1	Cyprus	$65,088	Medium	Diploma recognition, Greek/Turkish proficiency	High GDP, but a complex linguistic and cultural context.
2	Czech Republic	$59,368	High	Diploma nostrification, approbation exam, Czech (B2)	A promising and accessible alternative to Germany with a good standard of living.
3	Slovenia	$57,985	Medium	Diploma recognition, Slovenian (C1)	A decent standard of living, but a high language barrier and moderate salaries.
4	Lithuania	$57,196	High	Diploma recognition, Lithuanian language	A simple diploma recognition process, but unstable salary data.
5	Poland	$55,186	High	Simplified path (up to 5 years) or nostrification, Polish (B2)	An attractive option due to a simplified procedure for non-EU doctors and a growing economy.
6	Estonia	$49,671	High	Diploma recognition, Estonian (C1)	Straightforward recognition of a Russian diploma, but a very high language barrier.
7	Romania	$49,213	Medium	Diploma recognition, Romanian language	Moderate salaries, requires learning the Romanian language.
8	Hungary	$48,600	High	Mutual recognition of diplomas with Russia, Hungarian language	A unique advantage in diploma recognition, but the language is a serious obstacle.
9	Slovakia	$47,425	Medium	Nostrification, exams, Slovak language	Lower salaries compared to its neighbors, standard validation pathway.
10	Greece	$45,048	Low	Complex recognition procedure (DOATAP), Greek (B2)	Not recommended due to low salaries and complex bureaucracy.
11	Latvia	$44,563	Medium	Diploma recognition, Latvian (C1)	A very high language barrier and non-competitive conditions.

1. Cyprus

A high-GDP option, but with specific challenges. Cyprus is attractive due to its high standard of living, but for an immigrant doctor, it presents a significant challenge because of the need to validate a diploma and be proficient in either Greek or Turkish, depending on the part of the island.

Economic and professional landscape
Cyprus has a high GDP per capita (PPP) of about $53,252. Doctor salaries in the public healthcare system (GeSY) are very competitive: the average annual income for a private doctor within the system was €132,665 in 2022.

Path to medical practice
1. Russian diploma recognition: You must go through the nostrification process via the KYSATS organization. The process takes about two weeks and costs approximately €250.
2. Language requirements: To work in southern Cyprus, knowledge of Greek is required; in the north, Turkish is necessary. English is also important.

Immigration and long-term settlement
To work, you need to find an employer who can prove to the authorities that hiring a foreign specialist is necessary and then obtain a work visa

Detailed articles:

2. Czech Republic

One of the best alternatives to Germany. The Czech Republic offers a high standard of living, decent salaries, and a clearly regulated—albeit multi-stage—path for foreign doctors. This is a balanced and promising option for those prepared to learn the Czech language.

Economic and professional landscape
The GDP per capita (PPP) in the Czech Republic is $47,961. After passing the approbation exam, a doctor’s salary starts at 45,000–55,000 CZK per month, while specialists can earn 80,000–120,000 CZK or more. The average doctor’s salary is around 60,000 CZK (€2,200).

Path to medical practice

Diploma nostrification: The diploma recognition procedure is handled by a Czech university and does not require exams. The cost is about €200.
Approbation exam: After nostrification, you must pass an approbation exam, which consists of written, practical, and oral parts.
Language requirements: A B2 level of Czech is required, and for some specialties, C1 is necessary.

Immigration and long-term settlement
You can obtain a long-term visa to complete the approbation process. After successfully passing the exams and finding employment, the process of obtaining a residence permit and permanent residency is standard for qualified specialists.

Detailed articles:

3. Slovenia

A stable option, but with a difficult integration process. Slovenia is an economically developed country with a high quality of life, but the path for Russian doctors is challenging due to the need for high-level proficiency in the Slovenian language.

Economic and professional landscape
The GDP per capita (PPP) in Slovenia is $48,495. The average salary in the healthcare sector ranges from €1,450 to €1,670 per month.

Path to medical practice

Diploma recognition: Diploma nostrification through the ENIC-NARIC center is required.
Language requirements: You must pass a Slovenian language exam at the C1 level.

Immigration and long-term settlement
The process includes the standard steps for EU countries: obtaining a work-based residence permit after your qualifications have been confirmed.

Detailed articles:

4. Lithuania

Straightforward diploma recognition, but unclear career prospects.
The procedure for recognizing a Russian diploma in Lithuania is one of the simplest in the EU. However, data on doctor salaries is extremely contradictory, which creates risks for career planning.

Economic and professional landscape
The GDP per capita (PPP) in Lithuania is $47,169. Data on doctor salaries varies greatly, from €692 per month in the public sector to an average of €5,345 (before taxes) nationwide.

Path to medical practice

Diploma recognition: The procedure is done online through the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC). Documents in Russian do not need to be translated.
Language requirements: You must pass a state exam to prove your knowledge of the Lithuanian language.

Immigration and long-term settlement
After your diploma is recognized and you obtain a license, you can search for a job and apply for a residence permit.

Detailed articles:

5. Poland

An attractive and accessible option, especially with its simplified procedure. Poland actively attracts doctors from outside the EU.
The ability to work for up to 5 years without diploma nostrification makes it one of the most accessible destinations for a quick career start in Europe.

Economic and professional landscape
The GDP per capita (PPP) in Poland is $45,112. Salaries for specialist doctors range from 8,000 to 25,000 PLN per month and higher.

Path to medical practice

Simplified procedure: Since 2020, doctors from outside the EU can obtain a work permit for up to 5 years without needing to nostrify their diploma.
Standard path: This includes diploma nostrification (costing 2,000–6,000 PLN) and passing exams.
Language requirements: You must confirm B2-level proficiency in the Polish language (a special medical format is used for doctors).

Immigration and long-term settlement
After receiving the right to work, you can apply for a residence permit.

Detailed articles:

6. Estonia

Straightforward diploma recognition, but a difficult language. Thanks to an interstate agreement, a Russian diploma is easily recognized in Estonia.
However, the requirement to speak Estonian at a C1 level is a serious obstacle.

Economic and professional landscape
The GDP per capita (PPP) in Estonia is $41,546. The median salary for doctors, including bonuses, was €4,557 per month in 2024.

Path to medical practice

Diploma recognition: A diploma from Russia does not require an apostille and is recognized through the Estonian ENIC/NARIC office.
Language requirements: Knowledge of the Estonian language at the highest level (C1) is required.

Immigration and long-term settlement
A residence permit is required to work. Foreign doctors must have either a work permit or permanent residency.

Detailed articles:

7. Romania

An option with moderate prospects. Romania offers decent salaries for doctors but requires completing a diploma recognition procedure and learning the Romanian language.

Economic and professional landscape
The GDP per capita (PPP) in Romania is $40,608. A doctor’s salary starts at €3,386 per month.

Path to medical practice

Diploma recognition: You must submit documents to the National Centre for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas (CNRED).
Language requirements: Non-EU citizens wishing to enter residency must complete a preparatory year to study the Romanian language.

Immigration and long-term settlement
For stays longer than 90 days, a long-term visa (D-Visa) is required.

Detailed articles:

8. Hungary

A unique advantage with a serious drawback. The mutual recognition agreement between Russia and Hungary eliminates the main bureaucratic obstacle.
However, Hungarian is one of the most difficult languages to learn, making this path realistic only for highly motivated candidates.

Economic and professional landscape
The GDP per capita (PPP) in Hungary is $40,702. A general practitioner’s salary is about €3,500 per month, while a specialist can earn up to €5,550.

Path to medical practice

Diploma recognition: Thanks to a bilateral treaty, Russian diplomas are recognized in Hungary without a nostrification procedure.
Language requirements: Fluent Hungarian is required for clinical practice.

Immigration and long-term settlement
This involves the standard process of obtaining a work-based residence permit for non-EU citizens.

Detailed articles:

9. Slovakia

A less attractive option compared to its neighbors. Slovakia falls behind the Czech Republic and Poland in terms of salary and offers no simplified paths for qualification recognition.

Economic and professional landscape
The GDP per capita (PPP) in Slovakia is $40,347. The average doctor’s salary is about €2,500 but can start as low as €1,000–€1,700.

Path to medical practice

Diploma recognition: Diploma nostrification at the Ministry of Education is required, followed by qualification exams.
Language requirements: Knowledge of the Slovak language is mandatory.

Immigration and long-term settlement
You must obtain a work permit and a temporary residence permit.

Detailed articles:

10. Greece

Not recommended. Low salary levels, a complex and lengthy diploma recognition process, and a high unemployment rate make Greece one of the least attractive options in the EU.

Economic and professional landscape
The GDP per capita (PPP) in Greece is $37,752. Doctor salaries are among the lowest in the EU, averaging between €1,562 and €3,456 per month (gross).

Path to medical practice

Diploma recognition: The procedure is handled by the DOATAP organization and is known for its complexity and length.
Language requirements: A B2 level of Greek proficiency is required.

Immigration and long-term settlement
A national work visa (Type D) is required.

Detailed articles:

11. Latvia

Not recommended. The combination of a very high language barrier (C1 level) and contradictory but generally low salaries makes Latvia unattractive for a medical career.

Economic and professional landscape
The GDP per capita (PPP) in Latvia is $38,936. Data on doctor salaries varies widely, from a minimum rate of €1,489 to an average gross salary of €4,805.

Path to medical practice

Diploma recognition: Academic recognition is carried out through the Academic Information Centre (AIC).
Language requirements: A C1 level of Latvian proficiency is required.

Immigration and long-term settlement
For non-EU citizens, obtaining a residence permit based on study or work is necessary.

Detailed articles:

Other European countries

Many other European countries were not included in this detailed analysis because they do not meet the primary criterion of the request: moving to a country with a higher standard of living and better career prospects compared to Russia.

Table 3: European countries not recommended for relocation

Country	GDP (PPP) per capita (USD)	Reason for Exclusion
Bulgaria	$26,705	GDP per capita is significantly lower than in Russia.
Serbia	$21,432	GDP per capita is significantly lower than in Russia.
Montenegro	$22,795	GDP per capita is significantly lower than in Russia.
Albania	$15,646	GDP per capita is significantly lower than in Russia.
Moldova	$15,637	GDP per capita is significantly lower than in Russia.

Final conclusion for this group
Relocating to these countries is not advisable for a doctor from Russia seeking to improve their quality of life and career prospects, as their economic indicators and healthcare systems are inferior to those in Russia.

Medical careers worldwide. Part 1: Europe’s leading economies→
Medical careers worldwide. Part 2: Accessible countries in Central and Eastern Europe→
Medical careers abroad, part 3: Major anglophone countries and Asia→

Егор Кугно

Medical careers worldwide.
Part 2: Accessible countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

Table 2: A comparison of Central, Eastern, and Southern European countries for a medical career

1. Cyprus

2. Czech Republic

3. Slovenia

4. Lithuania

5. Poland

6. Estonia

7. Romania

8. Hungary

9. Slovakia

10. Greece

11. Latvia

Other European countries

Table 3: European countries not recommended for relocation

Further reading on medical careers

Medical careers worldwide. Part 2: Accessible countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

Table 2: A comparison of Central, Eastern, and Southern European countries for a medical career

1. Cyprus

2. Czech Republic

3. Slovenia

4. Lithuania

5. Poland

6. Estonia

7. Romania

8. Hungary

9. Slovakia

10. Greece

11. Latvia

Other European countries

Table 3: European countries not recommended for relocation

Further reading on medical careers

Medical careers worldwide.
Part 2: Accessible countries in Central and Eastern Europe.