Overseas doctors : why choose France?

Because medical studies in France are organised on a quota system, they have been unable to match increasing demand and France now has a shortage of qualified medical practitioners. There are therefore many opportunities for overseas doctors to make their career in private clinics.

In the French system, there are two choices for overseas doctors:you can either work in the public sector and earn a salary, or enter the private sector and be paid according to your activity. See a comparative chart of incomes in the public and private sectors here:

The private sector gives you freedom of choice:you can choose the region and the city that suit you best.

It is very difficult, even for French doctors, to settle in the very large cities that already have too many facilities anddoctors (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Bordeaux, etc.). However, there are many other regions where the standard ofliving is good (charm and diversity, climate, real-estate prices, tourism, etc.) and which have both large populationsand too few health services. It is in these regions that Vitalia has chosen to establish and develop its network. It offers the best choice for overseas doctors who wish to establish themselves in France: if you're up for the adventure, you will find both a good income and a good quality of life waiting for you.

You will quickly earn a comfortable income (see chart of incomes): indeed the French private sector does not set an upper limit on your activity. More than 60% of surgeries are performed by the private sector, whose highperformance equipment and organisational set-up offer safe and timely patient care. Your income will be directly linked to your activity.

A successful private practice requires the trust of your patients. Therefore a necessary condition of your success will be to speak French!

This site gives you practical information about accreditation and how to set up your practice in France. It cannot substitute for the competent authorities. It will however provide information, advice and web links to those organizations which are licensed to give all the necessary information about your accreditation.

To contact VITALIA:
http://www.professionmedecin.fr/contact.html