New rules for medical staff: Moldova to recognize professional qualifications got in EU

Professional qualifications got by doctors, pharmacists and other categories of medical staff from the European Union member states will be able to be recognized in Moldova. The parliament has passed, in the first reading, a draft law that establishes a new system for certifying medical personnel and facilitates the recognition of professional qualifications acquired in the EU.

The draft was presented in plenum by new Health Minister Alexandru Gasnas, who said that the reform aims not only to transpose European rules, but also to strengthen citizens’ trust in the medical system.

“We must help citizens and patients have more confidence in the doctors who treat them. This is not just a reform related to the transposition of a European directive, but an important step towards strengthening trust in medical practice and in health professionals,” said Alexandru Gasnas from the parliament rostrum.

The document, developed by the Health Ministry, transposes into national legislation the European provisions on the recognition of professional qualifications and the mobility of the health workforce.

According to the draft, a clear legal framework will be established for recognizing professional qualifications got in the member states of the European Union, in the European Economic Area, and in the Swiss Confederation. For harmonized professions—doctor, dentist, pharmacist, general nurse and midwife—an automatic recognition procedure will apply, while for other professions, a general recognition regime will work, which may include aptitude tests or adaptation periods.

The health minister stressed that the draft introduces, for the first time, a national system for certifying medical and pharmaceutical staff.

“We are establishing a system of individual certification for medical and pharmaceutical personnel, as well as a national professional card, which will confirm the holder’s right to practice the profession and will replace the current authorization documents,” said Alexandru Gasnas.

The national professional card will be valid for five years and will be entered in the Register of certified medical personnel. At the same time, the draft also introduces the European professional card, meant to facilitate professional mobility in the EU area.

The document also provides for the creation of a public register of certified medical personnel, so that patients can verify whether a doctor or pharmacist holds the right to practice the profession.

The National Council for Health Evaluation and Accreditation will become the competent authority responsible for recognizing professional qualifications and certifying medical personnel.

Alexandru Gasnas also said that the draft represents the first step in a broader reform of the medical system.

The draft law is to be examined by the parliament in the second reading. After adoption, the new provisions will enter into force on January 1, 2027, with certain exceptions.