Austria

Part One

| Professional recognition in your country

1.1. Which organisation recognises doctors eligible to practice in your country?

In case your country has more then one organisation which can provide professional recognition, please attach to this survey a simple list of names and websites where we can acquire more information.

NAME: Austrian Medical Chamber

TYPE OF ORGANISATION (PROFESSIONAL, GOVERNMENT, ETC.) TRADE UNION AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION

ADDRESS: Weihburggasse 10-12, 1010 Wien

PHONE NUMBER: +43 1 51406 -0

CONTACT PERSON: International Department of the Austrian Medical Chamber

E-MAIL: international@aerztekammer.at

WEBSITE (S): Aerztekammer.at

1.2. What requirements/documents are necessary for a foreign doctor to practice medicine?

i.e. language skills, medical degree, insurance, immigration status.

The list of documents that are required for registration with the Austrian Medical Chamber as well as detailed information leaflets can be found on the website of the Austrian Medical Chamber. Information on taking up medical activities in Austria (aerztekammer.at)
In order to be registered with the Austrian Medical Chamber the following general preconditions pursuant to §4 (2) Austrian Medical Act 1998 have to be fulfilled:
• EEA or Swiss nationality OR valid residence permit
• Full legal capacity
• Proof of good character and repute
• Fitness to practice (health condition)
• Sufficient knowledge of the German language

All doctors intending to work in Austria have to prove sufficient knowledge of the German language (i.e. having completed the medical training in a German-speaking region or having at least 3 years of experience as German-speaking health care professional etc.). If the requirements are not met, a German language test has to be passed.
Doctors who have completed their medical studies in non-EEA-countries have to provide either evidence of recognition of medical studies completed abroad by one of the Medical Universities in Austria (Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck), as equivalent with Austrian standards (i.e. Nostrifikationsbescheid on the award of the degree „Doktor der gesamten Heilkunde“) or provide evidence of successful completion of medical studies in Austria before they can apply for recognition of their postgraduate training undergone abroad by the Commission for the Accreditation of foreign training periods of the Austrian Medical Chamber. Upon fulfilling the criteria of the Austrian Medical Training regulations (fullfilment of the objectives of training laid down in the Training regulations), the doctor is admitted to the exam that is obligatory for all doctors in Austria.
Foreign medical doctors without EEA-citizenship and not being granted equal treatment may apply for other types of authorization (according to § 35 of the Austrian Medical Act). Further information can be found on the website of the Austrian Medical Chamber Information on taking up medical activities in Austria (aerztekammer.at)

Directive 2005/36/EC Applicability:

Automatic recognition: Diplomas corresponding to Directive 2005/36/EC are recognized automatically in Austria on the condition that applicants provide certificates issued by the competent authority stating that the training is in compliance with articles 23 – 30.

Procedures based on the General system (non-automatic recognition) Diplomas which do not comply with articles 23 – 30 and are not in accordance with Annexes 5.1.1 – 5.1.3 can be recognized via the general system.

1.3. Are there any application deadlines (if so, when)?

Furthermore, how long does the professional recognition procedure usually take?

There is no application deadline

In case of automatic recognition the procedure normally takes between one and four weeks after receipt of completed documentation. The duration of procedures based on the general system (non-automatic recognition) differs widely, depending on whether it is obvious that an applicant’s training and/or professional experience are sufficient in order to recognize his or her diploma without imposing any compensation measures, or whether a medical expert has to be consulted, and a compensation measure is imposed. In any case, a decision in a non-automatic recognition procedure has to be taken within 4 months upon provision of completed documentation.

In case of medical training from a third country, the applicant initially has to have his medical studies recognized by one of the public medical universities in Austria. This procedure is entirely up to the medical universities. As soon as a positive decision was taken by the university, foreign training periods may be accredited towards an Austrian specialty/GP training by the Commission for the Accreditation of foreign training periods of the Austrian Medical Chamber upon application. According to the medical act, a decision has to be taken within 4 months upon complete provision of the necessary documentation.

1.4. Are there any sort of examinations/interviews to apply for Medical Professional Recognition?

1.5.1. What kind of professional medical degrees are there in your country?

Four public medical universities (Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck and Linz) and some private universities offer medical studies.

Upon completion of studies, graduates in Austria are awarded the title of „doctor medicinae universae“, abbreviated „Dr.med.univ.”.

Persons who complete postgraduate studies which comprise a scientific thesis, are awarded the title of doctor of medical science, abbreviated „Dr.scient.med.”. To obtain a PhD degree a publication in a high-level international peer-reviewed journal is required in addition.

When it comes to postgraduate medical training: 50 specialties + Training in general medical practice

Part Two

| Training in your country

2.1. Which organisation is responsible for medical training in your country?

In case your country has more than one organisation with this function, please attach to this survey a simple list of names and websites where we can acquire more information.

Name: Austrian Medical Chamber

Address: See 1.1.

2.2. Besides professional recognition, is there any other requirement for a doctor to start his training/begin to work (i.e. examination, clerkship, internship)? Namely, which documents/examinations are necessary when applying for training/job?

Besides professional recognition, is there any other requirement for a doctor to start his training/begin to work (i.e. examination, clerkship, internship)? Namely, which documents/examinations are necessary when applying for training/job?

There is no examination or internship. The required documents to apply for a training position depend on the employer and the position.

2.2.1. Where are training positions advertised?

In the journal of the Austrian Medical Chamber:

arztjobs.at - Das Karriereportal für Ärztinnen und Ärzte

Trainees may also apply directly with training hospitals.

2.3. Are there any application deadlines (if so, which)?

There are no official deadlines. This depends on the employer.

2.5. Is there a fee/tuition for attending a training programme?

2.6. Do trainees receive a salary during training?

Yes

2.6.1. Moreover, what is the current salary and is overtime paid?

Depending on contract and applicable employment regulations (more than 30 different types of public services law in Austria).

Yes, overtime is paid.

2.6.2. What type of contracts are there? How long are the working and on-calls times?

Different contract schemes depending on the type of public services law applied (more than 30 different types).

2.6.3. Are sick leave, vacation days, maternity leave, voluntary work allowed and do they entail a reduction of salary?

Yes, sick leave, vacation days and maternity leave are comprised. They do not entail a reduction of salary.

2.7. In general terms, how is the training assessment done?

i.e. exams, evaluations, interviews, appraisal

There is only a final examination after the completion of training in general practice, respectively after the completion of training in the specialty.

Where else can we find more information?

http://www.aerztekammer.at/ausbildung

Part Three

| Other details about training/working in your country

3.1. Is mobility possible inside and outside the country during your training?

Yes.

Where else can we find more information?

Information on taking up medical activities in Austria (aerztekammer.at)

3.2. How many trainees are there in your country?

Divided, if possible, by in each speciality.

Currently (January 2023), there are 5.674 doctors in training in Austria.

3.4. Is there an accreditation procedure for training centres (and do they include visitations)?

Yes.

Where else can we find more information?

Anerkennung von Ausbildungsstätten (aerztekammer.at)

3.5. Is there any national recertification/revalidation scheme to practice?

No. However, upon re-registration with the Austrian Medical Chamber, doctors have to meet the general requirements for medical practice according to § 4 (2) of the Austrian Medical Act 1998 (i.e. full legal capacity, proof of good character and repute (criminal record) and fitness to practice (Certificate of Health).

3.6. Are there any differences in the application procedure according to the country of origin of a trainee?

3.7.1. Are there any restrictions for a foreign doctor who is undergoing training in your country to work there afterwards?

3.7.2. Moreover, is it possible for a trainee undergoing training in another EU/EEA country to do part of his training in your country? If so, what are the necessary requirements/documents?

Yes

Trainees have to be registered with the Austrian Medical Chamber and therefore have to fulfill the requirements pursuant to § 4 Austrian Medical Act 1998. For further details, see the answer to question 1.2.

3.8. Please summarise the general timeline between the time where a doctor has just graduated until he has attained a final senior post as an independent medical doctor.

In other words, please describe, in general terms, the training of a junior doctor in your country.

In Austria, the current system is as follows:

After graduation from medical universities, all graduates have to complete the so-called basic medical training (Basisausbildung) with a duration of 9 months. After the basic training they either go into training in general practice (additional 33 months), or into specialist training (additional 63 months according to the curriculum of the respective specialty).

After successful completion of training in general practice, respectively after successful completion of training in the specialty and after passing a final qualifying exam, the diploma is awarded and the doctor can apply for a post as an independent medical doctor.

3.9. Is it compulsory to have malpractice (or any other) insurance?

No, not for trainees.

3.12. Are there any restrictions in your country to comply with the consolidated version of EU 2005/36?

No.

3.13. Which organisation(s) specialise in assisting doctors in legal and work matters?

i.e. trade unions, medical chambers, other organizations.

Regional medical chambers