In 2023, several EU countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands, Austria, and Denmark, are grappling with critical shortages in their healthcare sectors. Specialist doctors, generalist doctors, nursing professionals, health care assistants, and various other healthcare occupations are in high demand across these nations. The shortage extends to midwifery professionals, physiotherapists, dentists, pharmacists, and audiologists and speech therapists, highlighting the breadth of the healthcare workforce deficit in Europe.
To address these shortages, many EU nations have adapted their immigration policies to attract foreign medical professionals. Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland, for instance, depend significantly on foreign-trained doctors and nurses to meet their healthcare needs. The 2023 EURES report underscores the persistent demand for these healthcare roles, driven by demographic shifts such as aging populations.
Germany has notably seen a substantial increase in foreign doctors, accounting for 12% of its medical workforce, emphasizing its ongoing reliance on international healthcare professionals. The recent relaxation of immigration laws in Germany and Denmark further enhances opportunities for foreign workers seeking employment in these critical healthcare occupations.
This suggests that foreign healthcare professionals in shortage occupations, including doctors, nurses, and specialists like midwives, physiotherapists, dentists, pharmacists, and audiologists, have better prospects for employment and obtaining work visas in these countries. Consulting with EU Helpers can facilitate a smoother transition and maximize job opportunities in these high-demand fields across European countries.