Work as a Doctor in the UK from Romania
As of July 2026, Romanian-qualified doctors must hold GMC registration with a licence to practise to work in the UK. Automatic EEA recognition ended after Brexit, so the General Medical Council assesses each Romanian application individually.
How Romanian-qualified doctors register with the GMC, evidence English, and secure the right to work in the UK.
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 Romanian-qualified doctors
Romanian graduates typically register through a GMC-assessed route — the GMC confirms whether PLAB, a recognised postgraduate qualification, or a specialist route applies.
Romania trains a large number of doctors, and many have historically moved across Europe for work. With automatic EEA recognition ended, the GMC now assesses Romanian qualifications in its standard international framework — so confirm your route with the GMC before committing to tests or translations.
If you completed rezidențiat (residency) and hold a specialist certificate, ask the GMC whether specialist registration is available. Otherwise, expect to be directed toward the PLAB examination or a recognised postgraduate qualification.
Certified English translations of your Diplomă de licență în Medicină, your specialist certificate where held, and a Certificate of Good Standing from the Colegiul Medicilor will be needed.
English-language evidence
Romanian medical degrees are usually taught in Romanian (some schools run English- or French-language tracks). Most applicants evidence English via IELTS Academic or OET; if you studied an English-language programme the GMC may accept that. Confirm 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 Romanian-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 Romanian medical degree (Diplomă de licență în Medicină)
Provide a Certificate of Good Standing from the Colegiul Medicilor din România covering the last five years
Where held, present your specialist certificate for specialist-route consideration
Confirm your GMC registration route before booking examinations
Evidence English proficiency and secure UK right-to-work
Certificate of Good Standing
You will need a Certificate of Good Standing (Certificate of Current Professional Status) from the Colegiul Medicilor din România (Romanian College of Physicians), plus one from any other medical regulator you have been registered with in the last five years.
Right to work / visa
Romanian 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 Romanian-qualified doctors
- Some Romanian medical schools teach in English or French for international cohorts — the language of instruction affects your English-evidence route.
- Confirm your route with the GMC before paying for certified translations, which can be a meaningful cost.
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 Romanian doctors need to sit PLAB?
It depends on the GMC assessment of your qualification and postgraduate training. Doctors without a recognised postgraduate qualification are often directed to PLAB; specialist certificates may open another route. Confirm with the GMC.
Are Romanian qualifications still automatically recognised?
No. Since Brexit, Romanian qualifications are assessed by the GMC rather than automatically recognised.
What if I studied an English-language programme in Romania?
The GMC may accept a qualification taught and examined in English as evidence of English proficiency. Confirm the acceptable evidence for your programme on gmc-uk.org.
UK registration guides for other EEA doctors
Prefer to work remotely from Romania?
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 RomaniaKeep 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.