More Than Two-Thirds of New Doctors in Ireland Trained Outside EU and UK
Dublin: More than two-thirds of doctors newly registered in Ireland last year received their medical training outside the European Union and the United Kingdom, according to figures published by the Irish Medical Council.
The figures have emerged amid concerns from the Irish Association of International Doctors that proposed changes to citizenship laws could make Ireland a less attractive destination for overseas medical professionals.
Although 1,795 more doctors registered with the Medical Council than in the previous year, a total of 2,510 doctors left the register in 2025. The Council said the increase in new registrations was partly attributable to changes and improvements in its application process.
Pakistani doctors account for the largest share
The Medical Council’s figures show that Pakistan accounted for 64 per cent of newly registered doctors trained outside the EU, while Sudan accounted for 15.8 per cent.
A total of 2,891 Pakistani doctors, including those returning to the register, entered medical practice in Ireland during the year.
Of the new registrations, 7,099 were first-time registrants, while the remainder involved doctors returning to the profession. Among those rejoining the register, 47 per cent had received their medical training in Ireland, with Pakistan accounting for the largest number among overseas-trained returnees.
The report also found that most newly registered doctors were aged 34 or younger. Men accounted for 51.4 per cent of this group. Younger doctors also represented a significant proportion of those who left the register.
Work pressure and systemic problems driving doctors away
A Medical Council study found that more than 760 doctors left Ireland to work abroad last year. Excessive workloads, dissatisfaction with workplace conditions and frustration with inefficient healthcare systems were among the reasons cited.
Doctors also highlighted outdated procedures, staff shortages and administrative inefficiencies as factors affecting their working lives.
One doctor working in Australia described Ireland as a country with highly capable healthcare professionals and caring patients, but criticised its healthcare system as frustrating and poorly organised.
Another doctor said persistent harassment by a hospital manager had forced them into retirement.
The lack of an effective system for sharing patient records between hospitals was also identified as a significant difficulty. Other doctors cited difficulties finding employment and the high cost of professional registration as reasons for leaving.
Indian doctors face additional registration hurdles
Despite Ireland’s continued reliance on internationally trained doctors, Indian medical graduates face particular challenges in obtaining registration.
The recognition of internships completed in India remains a significant issue. Unlike certain training pathways recognised by the Irish Medical Council, Indian internship programmes have not been accepted as equivalent to the Irish standard.
As a result, Indian doctors who do not qualify for exemptions through other recognised qualifications may have to undertake additional examinations, involving further preparation, time and financial expense.
The issue has raised questions about why Ireland continues to recruit overseas-trained doctors while registration requirements create additional barriers for qualified Indian medical professionals.
The recognition issue has been examined previously by the Irish Medical Council.
According to an explanation published in The Irish Times in August 2024, the Council said an expert committee had assessed information provided by the National Medical Commission of India on two occasions.
On both occasions, the committee identified differences between India’s medical training arrangements and the internship requirements in Ireland. The Council accepted the committee’s conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to recognise the Indian internship as equivalent to the Irish programme.
The differences relate not only to the overall duration of training but also to the time allocated to individual clinical departments.
Under the Irish internship structure, trainees are required to complete a minimum of three months in general medicine and three months in general surgery.
By comparison, the training schedule at Maulana Azad Medical College, based on India’s 2021 National Medical Commission regulations, allocates six weeks to each of these areas, with the remaining internship period distributed across other departments.
This illustrates that, although both countries provide a one-year internship, the structure and allocation of clinical experience are different.
India therefore remains outside the relevant list of recognised internship qualifications. Greater transparency is needed regarding the specific differences identified by the expert committee, the changes required to address them and whether any revised Indian training programme has subsequently been assessed.
UK remains the main destination for doctors leaving Ireland
The Medical Council’s study found that of the 761 doctors who left Ireland to work abroad, 30.5 per cent moved to the United Kingdom. Pakistan was the destination for 17 per cent, while 12.3 per cent moved to Australia.
Medical Council Chief Executive Maria O’Kane said internationally trained doctors made an enormous contribution to Ireland’s healthcare system. However, she noted that the figures also highlighted difficulties between obtaining professional registration and securing employment.
Dr Bernadette Roque, the Council’s head of research, said one of the key findings was that some overseas-trained doctors were leaving Ireland after failing to find suitable employment despite having obtained registration.
She added that the growing number of newly registered doctors demonstrated that Ireland continued to attract medical professionals from abroad.
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