UK GMC Registration for EEA & EU-Qualified Doctors
As of July 2026, EEA and EU-qualified doctors no longer receive automatic GMC recognition β since Brexit, the General Medical Council assesses each application individually, and most applicants confirm their route (PLAB, a recognised postgraduate qualification, or specialist registration) directly with the GMC.
Since the UK left the EU on 1 January 2021, medical qualifications from the European Economic Area are no longer automatically recognised for UK practice. This guide explains, country by country, how the General Medical Council now assesses EEA-qualified doctors β the routes, the English-language evidence, and the post-Brexit visa position.
Country-by-country guides
Each guide covers the GMC route, English-language evidence, the Certificates of Good Standing you need, and the visa position for doctors qualified or licensed in that country.
Doctors qualified in Ireland
GMC route, English evidence, good standing, and the UK visa β for Irish-qualified doctors.
Read the guide βDoctors qualified in Italy
GMC route, English evidence, good standing, and the UK visa β for Italian-qualified doctors.
Read the guide βDoctors qualified in Spain
GMC route, English evidence, good standing, and the UK visa β for Spanish-qualified doctors.
Read the guide βDoctors qualified in Poland
GMC route, English evidence, good standing, and the UK visa β for Polish-qualified doctors.
Read the guide βDoctors qualified in Romania
GMC route, English evidence, good standing, and the UK visa β for Romanian-qualified doctors.
Read the guide βDoctors qualified in Greece
GMC route, English evidence, good standing, and the UK visa β for Greek-qualified doctors.
Read the guide βDoctors qualified in Portugal
GMC route, English evidence, good standing, and the UK visa β for Portuguese-qualified doctors.
Read the guide βThe route in brief
The end of automatic recognition means the single most important step for any EEA-qualified doctor is confirming the registration route with the GMC before spending money on examinations or certified translations.
Confirm your GMC route
Contact the General Medical Council (gmc-uk.org) to confirm which registration route your primary medical qualification and any postgraduate qualifications support β the PLAB examination, a recognised postgraduate qualification, or specialist registration.
Meet the knowledge and skills requirement
Complete the route the GMC confirms β for example, passing both parts of the PLAB examination, or holding a postgraduate qualification the GMC accepts.
Evidence your English
Provide the English-language evidence the GMC accepts for your circumstances β usually IELTS Academic or OET, or evidence that your qualification was taught and examined in English. Confirm current thresholds on gmc-uk.org.
Gather Certificates of Good Standing
Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing (Certificate of Current Professional Status) from every medical regulator you have been registered with in the last five years.
Apply to the GMC and arrange the right to work
Submit your GMC application with your evidence. If you are not a UK or Irish citizen, secure the right to work β typically a Skilled Worker (Health and Care Worker) visa with a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer (gov.uk).
This is general information, not recruitment. GeraClinic does not place doctors into NHS jobs. Confirm every requirement, fee, and timeline on the official GMC website (gmc-uk.org) and gov.uk.
Earn as a remote doctor while you register
GeraClinic is a telemedicine platform for licensed doctors. See patients online, set your own hours and fees, and get paid fast β from wherever you are registered today. Free to apply.