Studying Medicine Abroad in 2026: Romania, Spain, Belgium, Poland
Studying medicine abroad in 2026
With too few places in France, thousands of students train in medicine elsewhere in Europe. Romania, Spain, Belgium, Poland and Italy all offer European frameworks leading to a degree recognized in France. Each country has its own language, costs and admission requirements. This guide compares the 2026 destinations to help you build a realistic plan.
Which destination suits which profile
No destination is ideal for everyone. Romania offers programs taught in French, Spain admits students through the UNED Credencial and the PCE, and Italy through the IMAT, taken in English. Depending on the institution, fees can run to several thousand euros. Compare language, cost and admission before you choose.
Do you want to become a doctor but didn’t get a place through France’s PASS/LAS, or are you looking to avoid the numerus clausus? Studying medicine abroad is a serious option, and you can return to France after graduating through the HOCSM procedure. More than 8,000 students from France are studying medicine abroad in 2026, mainly in Romania, Spain, Belgium, Poland and Croatia. Here is the complete guide, country by country.
For more on this topic, see also: Studying Dentistry in Spain: Costs and Admission (2026).
Why study medicine abroad
There are three main reasons: (1) avoiding PASS/LAS, which eliminates 70% of applicants in the first year; (2) admission based on your application or on a test that is more accessible than the French competitive exam; (3) programs taught in English in most countries, an advantage if you want to practice in the US or the UK, or with international organizations (WHO, MSF, humanitarian medicine).
Also worth reading: Credit Transfers and Equivalences: How to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises (2026).
The 7 main destinations for studying medicine
🇷🇴 Romania (Bucharest, Cluj, Iași, Târgu Mureș)
2026 fees: €5,000–8,500/year. Program: 6 years, taught in English or French (in Cluj-Napoca and Iași). Admission: application review + biology/chemistry test (Cluj: selective exam). Leading universities: Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Bucharest), UMF Cluj-Napoca, Iuliu Hațieganu. Advantage: low cost, EU-recognized program.
🇪🇸 Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia)
2026 fees: €1,500–25,000/year depending on the university. Program: 6 years, mainly in Spanish (minimum B2 level required). Selectividad or EvAU required. Advantage: cultural proximity, climate, easy return to France.
🇧🇪 Belgium (UCLouvain, ULB, Liège)
2026 fees: ~€835/year for EU citizens (standard rate) or ~€4,175/year (higher fees for non-residents since 2017). Program: 6 years in French. Entrance exam: the MMI (medicine + dentistry), which is highly selective. Advantage: programs in French, geographical proximity.
🇵🇱 Poland (Wrocław, Kraków, Warsaw, Łódź)
2026 fees: €9,000–15,000/year. Program: 6 years in English. Admission: application review + Skype interview + biology/chemistry test. Leading universities: Wroclaw Medical University, Jagiellonian University (Kraków), Medical University of Warsaw. Advantage: recognized quality, accessible admission.
🇭🇷 Croatia (Zagreb, Rijeka, Split)
2026 fees: €8,000–12,000/year. Program: 6 years in English. Universities: University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University of Rijeka. Advantage: moderate cost, European quality, Mediterranean climate.
🇭🇺 Hungary (Budapest, Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged)
2026 fees: €14,000–18,000/year. Program: 6 years in English. Universities: Semmelweis in Budapest (the most prestigious), Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged. Advantage: international English-language programs established for more than 30 years, with many students from France already there.
🇮🇹 Italy (Padua, Milan, Rome, Bologna)
2026 fees: €1,000–18,000/year depending on the university. Program: 6 years in Italian (B2 level required) or in English (at Milano-Bicocca and La Sapienza). IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test), taken in English, for English-taught programs. Advantage: recognized quality, climate, geographical proximity.
To learn more, read our guide: Studying in Poland: The Complete 2026 Guide (Universities, Visas, Cost of Living).
Returning to France: getting your degree recognized and practicing as a doctor
A medical degree obtained in an EU country is automatically recognized in France under European Directive 2005/36/EC. The procedure for practicing in France:
- Registration with the Conseil de l’Ordre (medical council) in the département where you plan to practice
- Proof of your degree + certified translation if needed
- Specialization: possible through the ECNi (the French competitive exam for residency) OR directly through the HOCSM procedure (for doctors with foreign degrees, assessed case by case)
- Timeframe: 3–6 months for approval by the Ordre, followed by direct access to practice or progression to residency
For degrees from outside the EU (e.g. the US or Canada), the procedure is more complex and recognition is not automatic. It’s best to study in an EU country to make returning easier.
When to apply: the ideal timeline
Start 12–18 months before the academic year begins. Entrance tests and exams often take place in March–May for a September start. Allow 3–6 months to prepare for the exams (biology, chemistry and sometimes physics, in English). See our full timeline.
Frequently asked questions: studying medicine abroad
Will my degree really be recognized in France?
Yes, for any EU country (Directive 2005/36/EC). You must register with the Ordre des médecins (French Medical Council) to practice. For degrees from outside the EU, equivalence is assessed case by case (HOCSM procedure).
Can I return to France for my residency?
Yes, through the ECNi (the French national residency exam) or through European specialization procedures. Many French students in Romania, Belgium or Spain return to France for their residency.
Exactly what language level is required?
Spain: at least B2 in Spanish. Belgium: C1 in French recommended. Poland, Romania, Hungary and Croatia (English-taught programs): IELTS 6.0–6.5. Italy: B2 in Italian for Italian-taught programs; IELTS 6.5 for English-taught programs.
Can I study only the first few years abroad and then come back?
It’s difficult but possible. In theory, transfer routes to France exist through the equivalence committees of French universities. In practice, many students stay abroad for the full 6 years, then do their residency or practice in France.
What is the total cost of 6 years of study?
Romania/Belgium: €30–50K in total. Poland/Croatia: €50–90K in total. Spain/Italy/Hungary: €90–150K in total. By comparison, 6 years in France via PASS/LAS plus residency cost around €10K (but with 90% of applicants eliminated).
Practicing in France after your studies
A medical degree obtained in a European Union country is automatically recognized in France under Directive 2005/36/EC. You can have your degree recognized so that you can register with the Ordre des médecins and practice, without having to requalify.
Talk to an advisor
An advisor will call you back and answer your questions within 24–48 hours.