Portugal

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: Ordem dos Médicos - Portuguese Medical Association
Type of organisation (professional, government, etc.) Trade union and professional organisation: Medical Board (Independent Organisation)

Address:
AV. ALMIRANTE GAGO COUTINHO, 151
1794-084 LISBOA

Phone number: +351 21 842 71 00

Fax: -------
Contact person: --------
E-mail: ordemdosmedicos@ordemdosmedicos.pt

Website (s): https://ordemdosmedicos.pt/

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

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

For EU Citizens and medical degree obtained in a EU university:
- I.D. or Residence Permit or Passport
- Recognized medical doctor in accordance with the EU legislation
- Criminal record (issued no-later than three months before registration)
- Portuguese Tax identification number
- 3 photographs
- Proof of eligibility to practice medicine issued by the medical board/authority/organisation in the country of origin of the applicant
- Medical communication exam (Portuguese language test), held by the Portuguese Medical Association, except if the pre-graduate education (medical degree) in Portuguese

For Non-EU Citizenship or medical degree obtained in a Non-EU University, it is also required:
- Medical degree graduate certificate
- Certificate of equivalence (recognition of medical studies/diploma) issued by a Portuguese Medical University
- Curriculum Vitae as proof of professional activity
- To register for autonomous medical practice in Portugal (no additional foundation training), it is also necessary proof of 3 years of previous medical work experience in the past 5 years
Where else can we find more information? https://ordemdosmedicos.pt/estatutos-e-regulamentos/regulamento-de-inscr...

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

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

The duration process is variable and it depends mostly on the time to obtain the Certificate of Equivalence by a Portuguese Medical University. Upon submission of all the required documents to the Portuguese Medical Association, it usually takes 6 months to conclude the process.
There are no application deadlines for the registry.
Re-certification required: No.

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

Medical communication exam, if medical studies not in Portuguese.

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

Medical Degree – 6-year study program (graduates are granted a master’s degree).

1.5.2. How do you access each degree?

You need to be a Medical Doctor you need a “licenciatura” in Medicine before the Bologna process or an Integrated Master Degree in Medicine after the implementation of the Bologna process.

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.

Ministério da Saúde - Administração Central dos Serviços de Saúde (ACSS)
‘Ministry of Health - Central Administration of Health Services’
Website: http://www.acss.min-saude.pt/
E-mail: geral@acss.min-saude.pt
Phone number: +351 21 792 55 00
Fax: +351 21 792 58 48
Address:
Parque de Saúde de Lisboa
Edifício 16
Avenida do Brasil, 53
1700-063 LISBOA
Portugal

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?

In order to apply to a specialisation (residency training), every applicant has to complete a national examination.
Registrations to this exam require the following documentation:
- Portuguese Tax identification number or I.D. card (for EU members) or, if from outside the EU, working visa
- Certificate of medical degree graduation (with final grade, in a scale from 0 to 20).
- For foreign medical degrees, certificate of equivalence (recognition of medical studies/diploma) issued by a Portuguese Medical University, including final grade converted to Portuguese scale (0 to 20).

- Certificate of registration in the Portuguese Medical Association, issued in the past 3 months (check PART ONE, 1.2).
- Criminal record (issued for medical practice and regular contact with underage individuals)
- To register directly for a specialisation training (without previous 1-year foundation training), it is also necessary proof of previous medical work experience
- Proof of payment of national examination fee
The call for applications takes place every year in late summer and the national examination takes place in the last trimester of each year (usually in November).

2.2.1. Where are training positions advertised?

On the ACSS website: http://www.acss.min-saude.pt//2016/09/12/internato-medico/

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

The national registration process (call for applications) for the medical residency program starts in the summer, usually in late August, and the deadline for application usually is the middle/end of September.

Applications can be submitted online and information is available in the ACSS website (see 2.2.1).

2.4. How do applicants choose what and where they would like to train?

A list of vacancies for medical training by specialty field and by hospital is published after the national examination. Candidates are sorted according to their score in the aforementioned exam. After the scoring process, the candidates may choose their desired vacancy from the positions available.

The national examination takes place each year in November and medical training (foundation year) starts the following January.

Example (vacancies for medical training in 2018): http://www.acss.min-saude.pt/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Mapa-vagas-07.06...

Additional information on the structure of the National Exam:http://www.acss.min-saude.pt/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Despacho_4412_20...

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

No. During the training program, medical doctors receive a salary.

There are several administrative fees during the application process, namely:
   - Application fee for the national exam: 90€
   - Language exam fee: 300€
   - Registration fee in the Portuguese Medical Association: from 213€ to 385€
   - Annual fee of the Portuguese Medical Association: from 130,40€ to 195,60€
For more information, see:
https://dre.pt/application/file/a/122806008
(Page 2 - Internato Médico)

2.6. Do trainees receive a salary during training?

Yes, there is a salary averaging 1857.49€/month (1300€/month after tax).

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

The salary depends on the year of postgraduate training. As you progress in the training you will receive more. It goes from 1566.42 euros to 1937.39 euros per month before tax. It is important to know that you receive 12 months of salary + 2 months (summer bonus + Christmas bonus).

You should expect a deduction of about 30% in taxes.

There is also paid overtime, which usually covers additional emergency shifts.

Reference: https://www.simedicos.pt/fotos/editor2/ficheiros/tabela_salarial_2014.pdf

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

Unfixed-term contract (until the resident finishes his/her medical training). 40 hours a week.

On-call times (emergency shifts) usually last for 12 hours.

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

All of them are allowed. Sick leave leads to a partial salary reduction.

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

i.e. exams, evaluations, interviews, appraisal

There are evaluations throughout the medical residency program.

There is a final oral exam with a jury that involves curriculum evaluation, theoretical evaluation and practice evaluation. Some specialties have written theoretical examinations instead.

Part Three

| Other details about training/working in your country

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

Yes, although each specialization training program has their own requirements and mobility periods should respect the training programs.

3.2. How many trainees are there in your country?

Divided, if possible, by in each speciality.

Around 10.000.

Reference (number of trainees compiled together in last row of the table under “non-specialists” label):

https:// ordemdosmedicos.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ESTATISTICAS_ESPECIALIDADES_2021.pdf

3.3. What are the success, training drop-out and post-training employment rates?

We don’t have centralised data on this aspect. However, the success rate is usually high in most of specialties. Usually, the residents find employment upon conclusion of their residency training. Working conditions may vary and better pay and working environment is being demanded by Portuguese medical professionals.

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

Yes, it is performed by the Portuguese Medical Association. It includes visitations and re-certification every 3 years.

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

No.

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

No. The only difference in the application process is the required documents for individuals who got their medical degree abroad.

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

No.

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. The applicant needs to register in the Portuguese Medical Association in order to practice. The internship in a specific area of training depends on the specialty and on the institution where the doctor wants to do the practice.

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.

Foundation Training: 1 year training program, including 9 months at a hospital and 3 months as a general practitioner.
Specialty training: between 4 and 6 years of training (depending on the field) Most specialties have 5-year training programs. Surgical specialties are longer and usually have 6-year programs.
Upon conclusion of the specialty training program, the doctor must apply for a formal examination of his training (PART 2, 2.7). After successful approval, the doctor can start working at a senior position as a medical specialist.

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

No.

3.10. What is the general perspective/position on immigration of medical trainees to your country?

Portuguese health care professionals and patients are used to foreign doctors and accept them well.

3.11. What is the general perspective/position on emigration of medical trainees to foreign countries?

Emigration of medical trainees is increasing. Junior doctors are looking for better working conditions and salaries, which are available in other EU/EEA countries.

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.

There are two medical unions, that can provide help in legal on work matters:
- Sindicato Independente dos Médicos - http://www.sim.pt
- Federação Nacional dos Médicos – http://www.fnam.pt

Ordem dos Médicos (Portuguese Medical Association) also provides assistance with specific legal matters.

3.14. Is there any other information you consider relevant with regard to this subject?

No.