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Romanian Medical Degrees: Are They Recognized in Saudi Arabia and the UAE?

Writer: Education Track
Education Track
Aug 3
3 min read

Before a family commits to six years of study and tens of thousands of dollars, they need a clear answer to one question: will this degree actually work when I come home?

For Saudi and Emirati students and the parents funding their education, the recognition question is not theoretical — it determines career path, licensing timeline, and return on investment. Here is a complete, current answer for 2025.

Are Romanian Medical Degrees Recognized?

Yes. Romanian medical degrees (Doctor of Medicine, abbreviated MD or Licenta in Medicina) are recognized in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, but with conditions. Recognition does not mean automatic licensure — it means the degree is accepted as a valid qualification that allows you to enter the licensing process. Every foreign graduate, regardless of where they studied, must pass licensing exams before practicing in the GCC.

Recognition in Saudi Arabia (SCFHS)

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) classifies Romanian graduates under Group 2 in its Professional Classification Manual. This covers Eastern European EU-member degrees.

What Group 2 means in practice:

  • General Practitioner (GP): You need your MD degree, proof of internship completion, and 2 years of clinical experience.

  • Specialist: Requires the Romanian specialty certificate (Certificat de medic specialist) plus 2 years of post-qualification clinical experience.

  • Consultant: Very difficult to reach directly with a Romanian degree. Most doctors who reach Consultant level in Saudi Arabia first obtain a Tier 1 board (such as UK CCT or American Board certification).

The mandatory step for all Romanian graduates applying to practice in Saudi Arabia is passing the Saudi Licensing Exam (SLE) — a Prometric computer-based test. There is no exemption for Romanian board certificates.

Verification of your Romanian credentials happens through DataFlow (primary source verification), submitted via the Mumaris+ portal (SCFHS's online licensing platform).

Recognition in the UAE (DHA, DOH, MOHAP)

The UAE uses a Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements framework (PQR, currently Version 3/4). Romania falls under Tier 3 in this framework.

What Tier 3 means in the UAE:

  • GP: MD degree + internship + 2 years of post-internship clinical experience required.

  • Specialist: Romanian specialty certificate + 3 years of post-qualification experience for non-UAE nationals.

  • Consultant: Romania is generally not on the direct Consultant eligibility list. Reaching Consultant level typically requires years as a licensed Specialist in the UAE or obtaining a Tier 1/2 qualification.

The UAE has three licensing authorities: DHA (Dubai Health Authority), DOH (Department of Health, Abu Dhabi), and MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention, Northern Emirates). Each requires its own Prometric exam. Once you complete DataFlow verification for one authority, the report can typically be transferred to the others for a reduced fee.

What Documents You Will Need

When you are ready to apply for GCC licensing, gather these in advance:

  1. Diploma of Doctor-Medic (your Romanian MD degree)

  2. Certificat de medic specialist (if applying as a Specialist)

  3. Good Standing Certificate from the Romanian College of Physicians (Colegiul Medicilor din Romania) — must be issued within the last 6 months

  4. Internship Certificate from your Romanian hospital

  5. Clinical experience letters on official hospital letterhead, with your exact title, department, and start/end dates

  6. DataFlow verification report (mandatory for all GCC health authorities)

The Honest Picture

Thousands of Arab doctors with Romanian degrees are practicing successfully in Saudi Arabia and the UAE today. The licensing pathway is real and well-worn. The key facts to understand:

  • You will not practice immediately after graduation — expect 2–3 years of experience building plus the licensing exam process.

  • The SLE and UAE Prometric exams require preparation — they are serious medical licensing tests, not formalities.

  • Starting as a GP and working toward Specialist status is the standard career arc for Romanian-trained doctors in the Gulf.

  • The degree is also recognized by the WHO, ECFMG (for USA residency), and GMC (for UK PLAB) — giving you options beyond the Gulf.

Getting Expert Advice Before You Apply

Education Track advises students and families on exactly these questions before enrollment. The European Medical Pathway package ($1,600) includes a custom university recommendation matrix that addresses recognition and licensing pathways as part of the evaluation — not as an afterthought.

Book a free 30-minute consultation at education-track.com or take the free eligibility quiz to start matching your profile to the right European program.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided to the best of our knowledge and is based on information available as of August 2025. Licensing classifications, exam requirements, and recognition tiers are subject to change by SCFHS, DHA, DOH, and MOHAP. Education Track does not accept liability for any outdated or inaccurate information. Always verify current requirements directly with the relevant health authority.

 
 
 

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