Work as a Doctor in the UK from Greece
As of July 2026, Greek-qualified doctors must be registered with a licence to practise from the General Medical Council (GMC) before working in the UK. Automatic EEA recognition ended after Brexit, so the GMC assesses each Greek application individually.
A clear guide for Greek-qualified doctors: GMC registration routes, English evidence, and the post-Brexit visa position.
Which GMC route applies to you?
Answer two questions for a plain-English summary of the likely registration route and English-evidence options. This is general educational guidance only — the General Medical Council makes the final decision on every application.
The GMC route for Greek-qualified doctors
Greek graduates register through a GMC-assessed route — the GMC confirms whether PLAB, a recognised postgraduate qualification, or specialist registration applies.
Greece has a long tradition of medical education, and Greek doctors have historically worked across Europe. With automatic EEA recognition ended, the GMC now assesses Greek qualifications through its standard international framework.
If you completed specialty training (ειδικότητα) and hold the relevant title, ask the GMC whether specialist registration is available. Otherwise you will usually be directed toward PLAB or a recognised postgraduate qualification.
You will need certified English translations of your Πτυχίο Ιατρικής, any specialist title, and a Certificate of Good Standing from your local medical association.
English-language evidence
Greek medical degrees are taught in Greek, so most applicants evidence English via IELTS Academic or OET. The GMC sets the acceptable tests and scores — confirm the current requirement on gmc-uk.org.
Your registration steps, in order
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 — the PLAB examination, a recognised postgraduate qualification, or specialist registration.
Meet the knowledge and skills requirement
Complete the route the GMC confirms — 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 — 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 — typically a Skilled Worker (Health and Care Worker) visa with a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer (gov.uk).
What Greek-qualified doctors need
These are the obligations the GMC and, where relevant, UK Visas and Immigration place on applicants. Confirm the current detail on the official websites.
Hold a recognised Greek medical degree (Πτυχίο Ιατρικής)
Provide a Certificate of Good Standing from your Greek medical association covering the last five years
Where held, present your specialist title for specialist-route consideration
Confirm your GMC registration route before booking examinations
Evidence English proficiency (usually IELTS Academic or OET) and secure UK right-to-work
Certificate of Good Standing
You will need a Certificate of Good Standing (Certificate of Current Professional Status) from your local Ιατρικός Σύλλογος (Greek Medical Association), plus one from any other medical regulator you have been registered with in the last five years.
Right to work / visa
Greek citizens with EU Settlement Scheme status can work without a separate visa; others generally need a Skilled Worker (Health and Care Worker) visa with a Certificate of Sponsorship — see gov.uk.
Practical notes for Greek-qualified doctors
- Specialty-training completion in Greece may open a specialist-registration route worth confirming with the GMC.
- Certified translations of Greek-language documents should be arranged early in your timeline.
Important: this is information, not recruitment
GeraClinic is a telemedicine platform operated by Gera Services Ltd. This page is free educational information for doctors who independently want to understand the UK registration pathway. GeraClinic does not place doctors into NHS jobs, is not a recruitment agency, and charges no fee to read this guidance. Registration, employment, and visa decisions rest with the General Medical Council, individual employers, and UK Visas and Immigration. Individuals may always apply directly, of their own accord. Requirements, fees, and timelines change — always confirm the current position on the official GMC website (gmc-uk.org) and gov.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Do Greek doctors still get automatic UK recognition?
No. Automatic EEA recognition ended after Brexit. Greek qualifications are now assessed by the GMC through its international-application framework.
Which English test do Greek graduates take?
Most take IELTS Academic or OET, because Greek degrees are taught in Greek. Confirm the accepted tests and minimum scores on gmc-uk.org.
Can Greek specialists register as specialists?
Doctors who completed specialty training and hold the specialist title can ask the GMC whether specialist registration is available. It is assessed individually.
UK registration guides for other EEA doctors
Prefer to work remotely from Greece?
While you work through UK registration, you can keep practising as a remote telemedicine doctor with GeraClinic — see patients online, set your own hours and fee, and get paid within 3–5 business days.
Remote telemedicine jobs for doctors in GreeceKeep earning while you plan your move to the UK
GeraClinic is free to join for licensed doctors. Work from home, set your own hours and fees, and see online patients — from wherever you are registered today.