Medecine in France & PADHUE

Recruiting a PADHUE physician — a Praticien à Diplôme Hors Union Européenne, or doctor trained outside the European Union — can help French hospitals address persistent medical staffing shortages.

But identifying the right candidate is only the beginning.

For a hospital, the real challenge is often to keep the candidate committed throughout the administrative process and successfully bring the physician into practice. Authorization to practice, transitional practice arrangements, immigration status, residence permits, contractual arrangements and administrative deadlines may involve different procedures and different actors.

Which PADHUE pathway applies to you in France? Understand EVC, PACT, AEP, PCC, associate practitioner, FFI, DFMS, ATE and other routes for foreign-trained doctors and healthcare professionals.

Foreign-trained doctors who obtained their medical qualification outside the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland face a structured—but often lengthy—route to independent medical practice in France. A detailed guide for foreign-trained doctors seeking to practise medicine in France through the PADHUE, EVC and PCC pathway.

Confused about PADHUE status in France? This guide breaks down PACT, EVC, PCC, AEP, and ATE — every pathway to practice, explained clearly.

France faces a persistent shortage of physicians, particularly in rural areas, emergency departments, and certain medical specialties. At the same time, thousands of foreign-trained physicians already work in French hospitals or seek to build their medical careers in France.

France’s Doctor Shortage & the PADHUE Solution | J2M
Foreign-trained doctors are key to easing France’s medical shortage. Learn the PADHUE authorization process and how J2M supports practitioners and hospitals.

PADHUE doctors: EVC, PCC, PACT, AEP, national commission… Understand every step to authorization to practice in France and avoid the common pitfalls.

To meet healthcare needs, public hospitals increasingly rely on healthcare professionals holding qualifications obtained outside the European Union (PADHUE).

This guide walks you through the PADHUE pathway (Praticien à Diplôme Hors Union Européenne) as it stands under French law today, following the reforms introduced by the 2023 “Loi Valletoux” and its May 2025 implementing decrees. It is written for practitioners who are still abroad and considering the move, and for those already working in a French hospital who need to understand what comes next.

Build a legally secure medical career in France You trained as a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, or midwife outside the European Union. Whether you are already practicing in a French hospital or planning your move, you face three complex hurdles at once: professional recognition, hospital administration, and immigration law. Most advisors […]