Top 20 Countries to Practice Medicine: Advantages, Disadvantages, Salaries, and Licensing

Here we discuss best destinations for IMGs who are keen on practicing medicine abroad, our discussion include comparison for advantages and disadvantages of each country, average salary and requirements to get license to practice.

1. United States
Advantages:

• High salaries and advanced healthcare technology.
• Extensive research opportunities.

Disadvantages:

• High cost of medical education and living expenses.
• Stringent licensing requirements.

Average Salary:

• $210,000 - $260,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Complete USMLE exams.
• Obtain ECFMG certification for foreign graduates.

2. Canada
Advantages:

• Universal healthcare system.
• High standard of living.

Disadvantages:

• Lengthy and competitive residency programs.
• Licensing can be difficult for foreign doctors.

Average Salary:

• $180,000 - $250,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Pass MCCQE Part I and II.
• Complete residency in Canada.

3. Australia
Advantages:

• High quality of life and excellent healthcare infrastructure.
• Work-life balance.

Disadvantages:

• High cost of living.
• Strict immigration policies for foreign doctors.

Average Salary:

• $200,000 - $300,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Pass AMC exams.
• Complete internship or residency in Australia.

4. United Kingdom
Advantages:

• NHS provides job stability.
• Opportunities for specialization and research.

Disadvantages:

• Lower salaries compared to other developed countries.
• Long working hours.

Average Salary:

• £60,000 - £100,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Pass PLAB exams.
• GMC registration required.

5. Germany
Advantages:

• Free education and training for EU citizens.
• High quality of healthcare and research opportunities.

Disadvantages:

• Language barrier for non-German speakers.
• Bureaucratic challenges for non-EU doctors.

Average Salary:

• €70,000 - €100,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Pass the Fachsprachenprüfung (language test).
• Complete residency in Germany.

6. New Zealand
Advantages:

• High quality of life and work-life balance.
• Strong healthcare system.

Disadvantages:

• Remote location.
• Limited positions in certain specializations.

Average Salary:

• $150,000 - $250,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Pass NZREX Clinical exam.
• Register with the Medical Council of New Zealand.

7. Sweden
Advantages:

• High quality of life and social benefits.
• Advanced healthcare system.

Disadvantages:

• Language barrier.
• High taxes.

Average Salary:

• SEK 700,000 - 1,200,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Proficiency in Swedish.
• Pass medical licensing exam and complete internship.

8. Singapore
Advantages:

• High salaries and state-of-the-art facilities.
• Low crime rate and high standard of living.

Disadvantages:

• High cost of living.
• Competitive job market for foreign doctors.

Average Salary:

• $120,000 - $200,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Recognized medical degree.
• Registration with Singapore Medical Council.

9. Switzerland
Advantages:

• High salaries and excellent healthcare facilities.
• High standard of living.

Disadvantages:

• High cost of living.
• Stringent language and licensing requirements.

Average Salary:

• CHF 120,000 - CHF 200,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Proficiency in local languages (German, French, Italian).
• Pass Swiss federal medical exam.

10. Norway
Advantages:

• High quality of life and work-life balance.
• Free education and training.

Disadvantages:

• Language barrier.
• High taxes and living costs.

Average Salary:

• NOK 1,000,000 - NOK 1,500,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Proficiency in Norwegian.
• Pass medical licensing exam.

11. Netherlands
Advantages:

• Advanced healthcare system.
• High standard of living and work-life balance.

Disadvantages:

• High cost of living.
• Language barrier for non-Dutch speakers.

Average Salary:

• €80,000 - €120,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Proficiency in Dutch.
• Pass BIG registration exam.

12. United Arab Emirates
Advantages:

• Tax-free salaries.
• Advanced medical facilities and infrastructure.

Disadvantages:

• High cost of living.
• Cultural adjustments for expatriates.

Average Salary:

• AED 250,000 - AED 400,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Pass DHA/HAAD/MOH exams.
• License from relevant health authority.

13. Qatar
Advantages:

• High salaries and tax-free income.
• State-of-the-art healthcare facilities.

Disadvantages:

• High cost of living.
• Cultural adjustments for expatriates.

Average Salary:

• QAR 300,000 - QAR 500,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Pass QCHP exam.
• Obtain license from Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners.

14. France
Advantages:

• High standard of healthcare.
• Opportunities for research and specialization.

Disadvantages:

• Language barrier.
• Bureaucratic challenges for non-EU doctors.

Average Salary:

• €60,000 - €120,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Proficiency in French.
• Pass national medical exam.

15. Ireland
Advantages:

• High quality of healthcare and education.
• Friendly work environment.

Disadvantages:

• High cost of living.
• Competitive residency programs.

Average Salary:

• €90,000 - €150,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Pass PRES exams.
• Register with the Medical Council of Ireland.

16. Japan
Advantages:

• High standard of healthcare.
• Advanced technology and research opportunities.

Disadvantages:

• Language barrier.
• High cost of living.

Average Salary:

• ¥10,000,000 - ¥15,000,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Proficiency in Japanese.
• Pass Japanese national medical exam.

17. South Korea
Advantages:

• High salaries and advanced healthcare facilities.
• Strong emphasis on research and innovation.

Disadvantages:

• Language barrier.
• Competitive job market.

Average Salary:

• ₩100,000,000 - ₩150,000,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Proficiency in Korean.
• Pass KMLE exam.

18. Saudi Arabia
Advantages:

• Tax-free salaries.
• Modern healthcare infrastructure.

Disadvantages:

• Cultural adjustments.
• High cost of living.

Average Salary:

• SAR 200,000 - SAR 350,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Pass Saudi Medical Licensing Exam.
• Obtain license from Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.

19. China
Advantages:

• Growing healthcare sector.
• Opportunities for career growth.

Disadvantages:

• Language barrier.
• Lower salaries compared to Western countries.

Average Salary:

• ¥300,000 - ¥500,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Proficiency in Mandarin.
• Pass Chinese medical licensing exam.

20. Brazil
Advantages:

• Growing healthcare sector.
• Diverse medical cases and experience.

Disadvantages:

• Language barrier.
• Lower salaries compared to other countries.

Average Salary:

• R$200,000 - R$300,000 annually.

Licensing:

• Proficiency in Portuguese.
• Pass Brazilian medical licensing exam.

Conclusion
Practicing medicine in different countries offers a range of opportunities and challenges. The choice of where to practice depends on various factors including salary, lifestyle, language proficiency, and licensing requirements. The United States and Canada offer high salaries and advanced medical facilities but come with stringent licensing processes. European countries like Germany, Sweden, and the UK provide excellent healthcare systems and quality of life but may require proficiency in local languages and navigating bureaucratic processes. Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, and China offer unique opportunities but often have language barriers and competitive markets. Middle Eastern countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia provide high, tax-free salaries and modern facilities but require cultural adjustments.

Understanding the licensing process is crucial for practicing medicine abroad. Each country has specific exams and certifications, and proficiency in the local language is often necessary. The medical field continues to globalize, offering physicians the chance to work in diverse environments and contribute to international healthcare.