MBBS in Europe: What Indian Students Need to Know

Is an MBBS in Europe really an MD?

Most European universities do not award a degree called MBBS. Semmelweis University in Budapest awards a Doctor of General Medicine (MD) after six years, and Czech universities award the MUDr title. The name matters less than the content: the NMC assesses any foreign medical degree against its rules.

The NMC also states that it does not endorse any list of foreign medical institutions. It advises students to confirm fees and course details directly with the university and to make sure the course is comparable to the Indian MBBS in content, duration and internship.

What do NMC rules require of Indian students?

The Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, notified on 18 November 2021, apply to students who began studying abroad after that date. For permanent registration in India you need:

• a course of at least 54 months
• an internship of at least 12 months in the same foreign institution, with the whole course, training and internship completed in that one country
• English as the medium of instruction, and the mandatory subjects listed by the NMC
• registration or a licence to practise in that country, on par with the licence its own citizens receive
• at least 12 months of supervised internship in India after you return
• a pass in the NMC's screening test

The course must also be completed within ten years of joining. Before you start the course, you must qualify NEET-UG, and the result is valid for three years.

Which European countries fit, and what does it cost?

There is no official list, so test each programme against the rules. Six-year English-taught degrees in countries such as Hungary and the Czech Republic easily exceed 54 months. Two points need written answers. First, the NMC's FAQs describe the internship as following the course at the same institution, while many European degrees build clinical practice into the final year, so ask how graduates meet this. Second, ask whether international graduates can obtain a full licence in that country and what local language level that requires.

It also helps to decide early where you want to build your career. A degree that suits a future in India may not be the best fit for a future in Europe, the UK or the Gulf, so start with the life and work you want, then choose the country.

These are 2026 figures for English-taught medicine. Living costs come on top and fees change every year, so see our guide to medical school in Europe cost and the full list of European medical schools teaching in English.

FMGE or NExT: which exam applies today?

The NMC notified the National Exit Test (NExT) regulations in 2023, but a public notice of 13 July 2023 deferred NExT "till further directions". For now, foreign medical graduates take the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) run by NBEMS. If you study MBBS in Europe from 2027, you will graduate around 2033, so check the NMC's information for students going abroad before you enrol and again before you return.

Frequently asked questions

Do Indian students need NEET to study medicine in Europe?

Yes. The NMC says anyone starting a foreign primary medical qualification from May 2018 onwards must qualify NEET, and the result is valid for three years from its declaration. European universities also set their own tests, so check the entry requirements for medicine in Europe early.

Can I transfer from a European university to a medical college in India?

No. Under the 2021 regulations, the course, training and internship must all take place at the same foreign institution, and transfers to Indian medical colleges are not allowed. Changing universities abroad mid-course can also affect eligibility, so choose carefully and confirm with the NMC first.

What if part of my course is taught online?

The NMC expects any period of online study to be made up with in-person training. Its FAQs of June 2026 say state medical councils weigh transcripts and compensation certificates case by case, and no single document is conclusive, so keep full records of every placement and rotation.

Choosing a European medical school from India means checking NMC rules as carefully as rankings. We help Indian students shortlist programmes and plan applications with both in mind. Apply for a Strategy Call