Registration

Applying for EU Certification

EU Certification is certification of doctors who are trained / have their training recognised in Ireland. It is for the purpose of recognition in other EU Member States or for entry into the General Medical Services Scheme in Ireland. From the perspective of the European Union, the general purpose of EU Certification at specialist level is to create an internal European market for doctors who have completed recognised higher specialist training, in accordance with certain EU Regulations. This is in order to allow those doctors automatic recognition of their qualifications in any EU Member State. Furthermore, for General Practitioners, EU Certification may grant access to the social security network in Ireland and other Member States.

As the designated Competent Authority, the Medical Council is responsible for issuing EU Certification. The EU Directive presently governing specialist training is Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications.

Two basic types of qualifications are issued:

  • Certificates of Specialist Doctor (CSD) which cover medical specialties other than General Practice
  • Certificates of Specific Training or Acquired Rights (CSTAR) which covers General Practice only

Certificate of Specialist Doctor (CSD)

This type of Certificate is issued for all recognised medical specialties with the exception of General Practice. It certifies that training meets with the requirements set down in Articles 25-26 and Annex V 5.1.2. of the Directive.

What are the General Criteria for Qualification?

  1. The applicant must be an EU Citizen
  2. The applicant must hold or have held full (i.e. voluntarily withdrawn) registration with the Medical Council
  3. The applicant must have completed the majority of their higher specialist training in Ireland with > 90 percent of all training approved for specialist recognition taking place in EU Member States.


Certificate of Specific Training or Acquired Rights (CSTAR)

This type of certificate is issued for General Practice only. The purpose of this certificate is to grant the doctor recognition of their specialist training in General Practice in any EU Member State, and access to the social security network of any EU Member State. It certifies that training meets with the requirements set down in Articles 28 or 30 and Annex V 5.1.4. of the Directive.

What are the General Criteria for Qualification of a Certificate of Specific Training?

  1. The applicant must be an EU Citizen
  2. The applicant must hold or have held full (i.e. voluntarily withdrawn) registration with the Medical Council
  3. Have completed a Vocational Training Programme in General Practice in
  4. Be a Member of the Irish College of General Practitioners

What are the General Criteria for Qualification of a Certificate of Acquired Rights?

  1. The doctor must be an EU Citizen
  2. The applicant must hold or have held full (i.e. voluntarily withdrawn) registration with the Medical Council
  3. Have acquired the right to recognition of their general practice training in accordance with the rules set down in the Directive and in accordance with GMS Circular 3/96

Note: If an applicant is trained in Ireland a CSTAR is required for entry into the GMS. If an applicant is trained in the EU the applicant must present qualifications that are equivalent to a CSTAR.

Exemptions to the above criteria for a CSD or for a CSTAR

The Directive contains certain exemptions. Doctors who wish to work in the GMS in Ireland, and are not eligible for a CSTAR in order to access the social security network of other EU Member States, may be eligible for a certificate granting access to the GMS in Ireland only under national regulations. If you think you may qualify for a CSD or a CSTAR, despite not fulfilling the above criteria, you should contact the Medical Council.

Application Procedure

  • Applicants should complete application form.pdf
  • Pay application fee of €65 for EU Certification
  • Submit an unbound copy of your up-to-date curriculum vitae, including full details of your specialist training and experience
  • Provide evidence of recognition (or eligibility for recognition) as a specialist in Ireland

Additional Information

  • For applicants who entered into the Specialist Division of the Register in Ireland based on mutual recognition of their training in Europe, EU Certification is not required from the Medical Council. This is because, under most circumstances, such applicants already hold valid EU Certification granting mutual recognition of qualifications.
  • If an employing authority wishes to query the validity of qualifications presented, they can do so by e-mailing the query and a scanned copy of the qualification to this e-mail address: specialist@mcirl.ie