Know all about Medical Residency and Higher Speciality Training in Romania....
Oct 03, 2025 04:49:21
Romania has a long-standing tradition in medical education, with universities like Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Bucharest), Iuliu Haieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Cluj-Napoca), and Grigore T. Popa University (Iai) being internationally recognized.
Training programs follow European Union (EU) standards, ensuring alignment with international guidelines.
Romania is an EU member state, meaning medical qualifications are generally recognized across other EU countries.
This allows doctors trained in Romania to have wider mobility for work or further specialization within Europe.
Romania offers a broad spectrum of residency programs, covering almost all medical specialties and subspecialties.
Training involves a combination of theoretical instruction, clinical exposure, and hands-on patient care under supervision.
Compared to Western Europe, the tuition fees and living costs in Romania are significantly lower, making it a cost-effective option for international medical graduates.
This affordability extends to daily living expenses, accommodation, and healthcare.
Many Romanian universities and hospitals offer training programs in English, French, or Romanian, making it accessible to international doctors.
For those who choose Romanian, gaining language proficiency also enhances integration with patients and staff.
Romanian hospitals, especially public teaching hospitals, provide ample patient exposure across a wide range of cases.
Residents often get significant hands-on experience, which may be more limited in other countries due to competitive training environments.
Living in Romania provides exposure to a diverse cultural environment and an opportunity to build international professional networks.
Romanian medical institutions often collaborate with EU and international research projects, providing further opportunities for growth.
Completing residency in Romania can serve as a stepping stone for higher specialty training, either within the country or abroad.
With EU recognition, it’s possible to pursue fellowships or advanced clinical training in other European countries afterward.
A recognized medical degree (MD or equivalent) from a university in Romania or abroad.
For international graduates: The degree must be recognized/validated by the Romanian Ministry of Education(via CNRED – National Center for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas).
All candidates must pass the National Residency Exam (Examenul Naional de Rezideniat), which is usually held once a year in November.
The exam is a multiple-choice test covering basic and clinical medical sciences.
Ranking in this exam determines:
Eligibility for residency.
Specialty selection (higher scores = wider choice of specialties).
Since training is done in Romanian, international candidates must prove Romanian language proficiency.
Some universities and hospitals may offer a 1-year preparatory language course for foreigners.
A few programs (especially for EU/EEA students) may be available in English or French, but clinical residency usually requires Romanian for patient interaction.
EU/EEA Citizens:
Can take the exam under the same conditions as Romanian citizens.
Residency diplomas are automatically recognized across the EU.
Non-EU Citizens:
May participate if their diplomas are recognized and if they fulfill visa/residency requirements.
Must apply for a residency training position (contract) approved by the Romanian Ministry of Health.
Need a valid long-stay visa (D/SD type) and work permit for training.
No strict upper age limit, but candidates must be medically fit.
A medical fitness certificate is usually required before beginning training.
Recognized medical diploma (+ transcript of records).
Birth certificate and valid passport/ID.
Language proficiency proof (Romanian or program language).
CV and motivation letter.
Medical certificate of fitness.
Application form + proof of exam registration.
Specialization |
Duration |
|---|---|
|
General Medicine → Family Medicine |
3 years |
|
Internal Medicine |
5 years |
|
Cardiology |
6 years |
|
Gastroenterology |
5 years |
|
Nephrology |
5 years |
|
Endocrinology |
5 years |
|
Pulmonology (Pneumology) |
5 years |
|
Hematology |
5 years |
|
Oncology (Medical Oncology) |
5 years |
|
Pediatrics |
5 years |
|
Pediatric Cardiology |
6 years |
|
Pediatric Neurology |
5 years |
|
Pediatric Surgery |
6 years |
|
Psychiatry |
5 years |
|
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry |
5 years |
|
Neurology |
5 years |
|
Neurosurgery |
6 years |
|
General Surgery |
6 years |
|
Orthopedics & Traumatology |
6 years |
|
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery |
6 years |
|
Cardiovascular Surgery |
6 years |
|
Thoracic Surgery |
6 years |
|
Urology |
5 years |
|
Obstetrics & Gynecology |
5 years |
|
Ophthalmology |
5 years |
|
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) |
5 years |
|
Dermatology & Venereology |
5 years |
|
Infectious Diseases |
5 years |
|
Emergency Medicine |
5 years |
|
Anesthesiology & Intensive Care (ATI) |
5 years |
|
Radiology & Medical Imaging |
5 years |
|
Nuclear Medicine |
5 years |
|
Laboratory Medicine |
4 years |
|
Pathology |
5 years |
|
Public Health & Health Management |
4 years |
|
Occupational Medicine |
4 years |
University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMP) |
Main Teaching Hospitals / Clinical Centers |
Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy |
Fundeni Clinical Institute, Floreasca Emergency Hospital, Bagdasar-Arseni Emergency Hospital, Elias Emergency Hospital, Colentina Clinical Hospital |
Bucharest |
|
Iuliu Haieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy |
Cluj County Emergency Hospital, Cluj Oncology Institute, Cluj Heart Institute |
Cluj-Napoca |
|
Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy |
“Sf. Spiridon” County Emergency Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, “C. I. Parhon” Clinical Hospital |
Iai |
|
Victor Babe University of Medicine and Pharmacy |
Pius Brînzeu County Emergency Hospital, Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Pneumology |
Timioara |
|
University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova |
Craiova County Emergency Hospital, Filantropia Clinical Hospital |
Craiova |
|
George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology |
Mure County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Transplantation |
Târgu Mure |
|
Lucian Blaga University – Faculty of Medicine |
Sibiu County Emergency Clinical Hospital |
Sibiu |
|
Ovidius University – Faculty of Medicine |
Constana County Emergency Clinical Hospital |
Constana |
|
University of Oradea – Faculty of Medicine |
Oradea County Emergency Clinical Hospital |
Oradea |
|
Transilvania University – Faculty of Medicine |
Braov County Emergency Clinical Hospital |
Braov |
|
University of Arad – Faculty of Medicine |
Arad County Emergency Clinical Hospital |
Arad |
|
University of Galai – Faculty of Medicine |
Galai County Emergency Clinical Hospital |
Galai |
Medical degree/diploma (MD or equivalent) – legalized/recognized by the Romanian Ministry of Education (CNRED for foreign diplomas).
Academic transcript of records (showing all medical school subjects and grades).
High school diploma (sometimes requested for file completeness, especially for foreign applicants).
Valid passport (for international candidates) or ID card (for EU/Romanian citizens).
Birth certificate (certified copy + translation into Romanian if issued abroad).
Marriage certificate (if applicable, with translation).
Application form (official form issued by the Ministry of Health/University).
Residency exam registration proof (for those taking the National Residency Exam in Romania).
Curriculum Vitae (CV) – updated and signed.
Motivation letter (in some cases, especially for non-EU candidates).
Medical certificate of fitness (stating the applicant is medically fit for clinical training, issued by an authorized physician).
Language proficiency proof:
Romanian language certificate (for programs in Romanian).
Proof of English/French proficiency (if admitted to programs taught in these languages).
Some universities may require completion of a 1-year Romanian language preparatory course.
Proof of payment of application/registration fees.
Visa or residence permit (for non-EU/EEA citizens – long-stay visa type D/SD).
Work authorization (issued in coordination with the Ministry of Health for non-EU residents, since residency is also considered salaried training).
Four recent passport-sized photos (as per Romanian standards).
Submit your medical diploma and transcript to the National Center for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas (CNRED), under the Ministry of Education.
If approved, you will receive a certificate of recognition, which allows you to register for the residency exam.
Required: legalized/apostilled documents + certified Romanian translations.
Since most residency training is in Romanian, proof of Romanian language proficiency is required.
Options:
Romanian Language Certificate (from a recognized language center).
Completion of a 1-year Romanian preparatory language course at a Romanian university.
For limited programs in English/French (rare for residency, more common in undergraduate programs), proof of language skills in those languages may be accepted.
Residency admission in Romania is through the National Residency Exam (Examenul Naional de Rezideniat), organized once a year (usually in November).
IMGs must apply through the Ministry of Health.
Submit: diploma recognition certificate, ID/passport, medical certificate, application form, and other required documents.
Pay the exam registration fee.
Format: multiple-choice exam (single best answer) in basic and clinical medical sciences.
Duration: ~4 hours.
Candidates are ranked by score; higher ranks get first choice of specialty and training location.
A minimum passing score is required (usually 60–65% of maximum points).
After results are published, candidates attend an official allocation session organized by the Ministry of Health.
Based on exam rank, you choose:
Specialty (e.g., cardiology, pediatrics, surgery).
Training center (university + affiliated hospital).
Sign a residency training contract with the chosen university hospital/teaching center.
For non-EU/EEA citizens:
Apply for a long-stay visa (D/SD type) from the Romanian embassy/consulate in your home country.
Register with Romanian authorities for a residence permit.
Secure work authorization (since residency is salaried training).
Residency usually begins in January or early February after the November exam.
Duration: 3–6 years depending on specialty.
At the end of training, residents must pass a specialist exam to become certified doctors in their chosen field.
Residency Year |
Approx. Net Monthly Salary (RON) |
Approx. in EUR (after tax) |
|---|---|---|
|
1st Year Resident |
5,000 – 5,500 RON |
1,000 – 1,100 EUR |
|
2nd Year Resident |
5,500 – 6,000 RON |
1,100 – 1,200 EUR |
|
3rd Year Resident |
6,000 – 6,500 RON |
1,200 – 1,300 EUR |
|
4th Year Resident |
6,500 – 7,000 RON |
1,300 – 1,400 EUR |
|
5th–6th Year Resident |
7,000 – 7,500+ RON |
1,400 – 1,500+ EUR |
Residency training in Romania is free of tuition fees.
Residents are considered salaried doctors in training → they receive a monthly salary from the Ministry of Health (around 1,000–1,500 EUR net, depending on year of training).
No additional program fees are charged.
Main costs:
Administrative fees (application, diploma recognition, translations, etc.) – usually 100–300 EUR one-time.
Living expenses (see below).
Residency training is generally not free for non-EU citizens unless they pass the national residency exam under the same conditions as Romanian/EU candidates and obtain a salaried residency post.
In other cases, non-EU candidates may be accepted with tuition fees for training, which can range:
5,000 – 7,000 EUR/year (average) for medical residency programs.
Paid directly to the university/teaching hospital.
Some special agreements between countries allow scholarship-based or state-funded positions for non-EU residents.
Main costs:
Tuition fees (if applicable).
Application/recognition fees (~100–300 EUR).
Romanian language course (if required, ~2,000–2,500 EUR for 1 year).
Visa/residence permit fees (~120–150 EUR/year).
Health insurance (~20–30 EUR/month, unless covered by the training hospital).
Accommodation: 200–400 EUR (student/resident dorms are cheaper, private rentals higher in big cities like Bucharest or Cluj).
Food & groceries: 200–300 EUR.
Transport: 20–30 EUR (public transport pass).
Utilities & internet: 70–100 EUR.
Miscellaneous (books, clothes, leisure, etc.): 100–150 EUR.
Must hold a recognized medical degree (MD or equivalent) from an accredited university.
For foreign graduates: the diploma must be validated/recognized by the Romanian Ministry of Education (CNRED – National Center for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas).
All applicants, including international graduates, must pass the National Residency Exam (Examenul Naional de Rezideniat).
The exam is a multiple-choice test in general and clinical medicine.
Admission into residency is based on ranking in the exam (higher scores = more options for specialties and training locations).
Since residency involves direct patient care, knowledge of Romanian language is essential.
IMGs must:
Provide a Romanian language proficiency certificate, OR
Complete a 1-year preparatory Romanian language course at a Romanian university before starting residency.
Some programs in English/French exist for undergraduate studies, but residency is almost exclusively in Romanian.
EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens:
Apply under the same conditions as Romanian graduates.
Their medical diplomas are usually automatically recognized (but formal CNRED validation is still required).
They are eligible for salaried residency positions.
Non-EU Citizens:
Must have their degree recognized by CNRED.
Must pass the same residency exam as EU candidates.
Need a long-stay visa (type D/SD) and later a residence permit in Romania.
May access state-funded salaried positions if admitted through the national exam.
In some cases, if not admitted through the exam, they can apply for fee-paying residency training positions(5,000–7,000 EUR/year).
Must submit a medical certificate of fitness, proving physical and mental ability to practice medicine.
No strict upper age limit, but candidates must be fit for clinical duties.
Recognized medical diploma + transcript (with Romanian translations).
Birth certificate, passport/ID, and civil status documents.
Language certificate (Romanian or proof of preparatory course).
Curriculum Vitae (CV) and motivation letter.
Medical certificate of fitness.
Proof of application fee payment.
For non-EU: visa/residence permit documentation.
Medical Residency and Higher Specialty Training in Japan
International medical graduates (non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens) need a Long-Stay Visa for Studies / Training (Type D/SD) to enter Romania for residency training.
Since residency is both training and salaried employment, the visa process involves both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health.
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens → Must apply for the D/SD long-stay visa before arrival.
EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens → No visa required; only residence registration after arrival.
To apply for the D/SD long-stay visa, you will usually need:
Letter of acceptance / residency placement certificate issued by the Romanian Ministry of Health (confirming admission into a residency program).
Proof of diploma recognition (CNRED certificate from the Ministry of Education).
Valid passport (minimum validity: 6–12 months beyond the duration of intended stay).
Proof of sufficient financial means (usually not needed if you are in a salaried residency post; otherwise, proof of at least 500 EUR/month for living costs).
Proof of accommodation in Romania (university dormitory confirmation or rental agreement).
Health insurance valid in Romania (until you are enrolled and covered by Romanian public health insurance).
Criminal record certificate (police clearance from home country).
Visa application form + recent passport photos.
Visa fee payment proof (~120 EUR, may vary).
Obtain residency placement confirmation after the national residency exam.
Request acceptance letter from the Ministry of Health.
Prepare the full set of documents (translated & legalized if issued abroad).
Submit your application to the Romanian Embassy/Consulate in your home country.
Wait for approval (processing time: up to 60 days).
Within 90 days of entry, you must apply for a residence permit at the Romanian Immigration Office (IGI – Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrri).
The residence permit is usually valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually until the completion of residency.
Documents required: proof of enrollment, work contract (if salaried), proof of accommodation, passport, and health insurance.
