On the non-recognition of medical degrees issued in Poland, as they allegedly do not comply with Directive 2005/36/EC 

In January 2019, the Polish government adopted an amendment to point 5.1.1 of Annex V to Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications, as amended by Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2019/608, imposing additional requirements on all doctors who wish to practise in Poland. In addition to holding a degree in medicine, they are also expected to meet the following two additional requirements, which are not included in Article 24 of the directive: the LEK national exam and a 13-month postgraduate internship, which must be completed in Poland and in the Polish language. However, according to the Polish Ministry of Health and the Polish chamber of physicians, the minimum requirements which must be taken into account by other EU Member States when recognising medical degrees issued in Poland, are those included in Article 24 of Directive 2005/36/EC. In the petitioner’s opinion, the current interpretation of the EU directive by the Polish government clearly discriminates against graduates from other EU countries: due to the amendment to point 5.1.1 of Annex V, many international students from both EU and non-EU countries, who have completed a medical degree programme in Poland, currently have no right to practise as a doctor or obtain a medical licence, either in Poland or any other EU country.