Irish Medical Register Sees Surge in Internationally Trained Doctors
Over 67% of new registrants in 2025 trained outside Ireland, the EU, or the UK, according to a report released Wednesday by the Medical Council.
By Ethan Mitchell ·
More than two-thirds of doctors who joined the Irish medical register in 2025 completed their primary medical training outside Ireland, the European Union, or the United Kingdom, the Medical Council reported on Wednesday. The regulator published two reports detailing the movement of doctors into and out of the register over the past year.
A total of 7,099 doctors joined and remained on the register during 2025, marking an increase of nearly 2,000 compared to the previous year. Of this group, 6,445 were first-time registrants, while 654 restored their registration after a period away from the profession. The majority of these new entrants were aged 34 or younger. Specifically, 67.4 percent of them obtained their primary medical qualification internationally. Pakistan accounted for 64 percent of these international qualifications, with Sudan contributing a further 15.8 percent.
The Medical Council noted that the substantial rise in new registrants may partly reflect a processing improvement project conducted between July and December 2025. That initiative focused on reducing backlogs and improving processing times for applications.
While the register grew, 2,501 doctors left during the same period. Of those departures, 1,713 were voluntary withdrawals, and 788 were removed for failing to meet annual retention requirements. Most of the departing doctors were also aged 34 or younger and held international qualifications. The most frequent reason cited for voluntary withdrawal was classified as "other reasons" at 46.3 percent, followed by "wishing to practise medicine in another country" at 44.4 percent. Only 9.3 percent stated they wished to stop practising medicine entirely.
Among those leaving to practice abroad, the United Kingdom was the most popular destination, cited by 30.5 percent. Pakistan followed at 17 percent, and Australia at 12.3 percent. The report identified a prominent reason for the withdrawal of general doctors: an inability to secure employment. Many reported not being offered positions despite submitting multiple applications over periods ranging from months to more than a year. Some described disappointment and frustration after actively seeking work without being called for a single interview.
Dr. Maria O’Kane, chief executive of the council, said the findings reinforce the important contribution that internationally trained doctors make to healthcare in Ireland. She noted that many doctors who left indicated an intention to return in the future, whether after completing training abroad or when personal circumstances change. Dr. Bernadette Rock, head of research and regulatory data insights, stated that the figures suggest Ireland remains an attractive destination for doctors. She highlighted that some internationally trained doctors reported difficulties securing employment despite having successfully obtained registration, while others cited the cost of maintaining registration or left to pursue training and career development opportunities abroad.
