STS Medicine and Equivalency Guide 2026 for Ukrainian Physicians

Related Content: STS Physician Pillar | Refugee Physician Guide | YÖK Equivalency | Medical Turkish

TL;DR (Quick Summary)

• Number of Ukrainian physicians (Turkey): Estimated 800-1,500 with post-February 2022 transition (no official number). Antalya, Istanbul, Ankara, Mersin intensive.
• Professional return path: YÖK equivalency + STS Medicine + Ministry of Health registration + work permit.
• Duration: Total process 18-30 months (Turkish from scratch + equivalency + STS + registration + job finding).
• Salary range: State 80K-150K TL/month; private 100K-300K TL/month; Antalya tourist area additional bonus.

Ukrainian Physician Profile (Post-2022)

Ukrainian physicians coming to Turkey after February 2022 have different profiles:

• General practitioner (general medicine): From Kiev, Lviv, Kharkov, Odessa; transition with family + children.
• Specialist physician: 5-15 years experience in branches like cardiology, pediatrics, gynecology.
• Academic physician: Medical faculty faculty member.
• Medical student (incomplete): Education incomplete; targeting lateral transfer.

This guide focuses on general practitioner + specialist physician. For medical students: Medical Lateral Transfer Guide.

Legal Framework (Turkey Side)

1. Residence — Ukrainian Citizens

Temporary protection does not apply to Ukrainians in Türkiye. Under a 2022 circular, provincial migration directorates may grant a humanitarian residence permit to Ukrainian citizens who cannot return because of the war; applying for international protection is also possible. Physicians usually stay with a short-term residence permit, a family residence permit or a humanitarian residence permit.

2. YÖK Equivalency — Ukrainian Medical Diploma

YÖK evaluates each application individually, based on the institution and program where the diploma was obtained. Possible outcomes: direct equivalency, an STS requirement, a completion training requirement or rejection.

3. Ministry of Health Registration

After equivalency (and STS Medicine, if required), you apply to the Ministry of Health for registration. We could not verify any special or accelerated registration arrangement for Ukrainian physicians; the process is the same as for other foreign graduates.

Professional Return Path (Step by Step)

Step 1: Legal Status Decision

The first step after arriving in Türkiye is to clarify your residence status: a short-term residence permit, a family residence permit or a humanitarian residence permit under the 2022 circular. Temporary protection does not apply to Ukrainians. Ask the provincial migration directorate for current conditions.

Step 2: Learning Turkish (From Scratch, Medical Turkish Important)

For Ukrainian physicians, Turkish started from scratch (different from Syrian — Syrian can establish Arabic-Turkish academic connection, for Ukrainian the Slavic language + Turkish language family completely different).

• TÖMER intensive: A1-C1 level (12-18 months)
• Medical Turkish: 6-9 months parallel (post TÖMER B2)
• Practice: Turkish patient + Turkish colleague interaction (clinical observation programs, if any)

Some universities offer special Turkish + medical Turkish program for Ukrainian physicians.

Step 3: YÖK Equivalency Application

yok.gov.tr → "Foreign Higher Education Diploma Equivalency Application". Documents for Ukrainian physicians:

• Passport (Ukraine)
• Residence permit
• Ukrainian medical diploma (original + apostille + Turkish notarial translation)
• Transcript (original + apostille + Turkish notarial translation)
• Turkish language proficiency (TÖMER B2/C1)
• (If specialist) Specialty diploma
• (If academic) Academic title documents

Apostille note: Ukrainian apostille system was operating in standard before war; some processes delayed after 2022. Ministry of Health accepts alternative evidence in some cases (T.C. Ukrainian consulate verification).

Step 4: STS Medicine Exam

Those without direct equivalency take STS Medicine. STS Medicine conducted in Turkish:

• 200+ questions, 4-5 hours
• Anatomy + physiology + biochemistry + internal medicine + surgery + pediatrics + others
• For Ukrainian physicians, Turkish is the main block; medical content already known

STS Medicine preparation 8-12 months (6-9 months for experienced physician; 12-18 months if Turkish insufficient).

Step 5: Ministry of Health Registration + TTB Registration

After passing STS Medicine, you apply to the Ministry of Health for registration; there is no separate or accelerated process for Ukrainian physicians.

TTB provincial chamber registration parallel.

Step 6: Work Permit + Job Finding

Job search after registration. Employment areas for Ukrainian physician:

• Antalya: Tourist health centers + private hospitals (Russian/Ukrainian-speaking tourist service); Ukrainian population intensive
• Istanbul: Major private hospitals + university hospitals
• Mersin/Alanya: Ukrainian diaspora intensive, Russian-language service
• Ankara: State hospital + embassy coordination

Dr. Ivan Persona Detail (Ukrainian, 35, General Practitioner)

Profile: General practitioner in Kiev, 8 years experience. Sought refuge in Turkey after February 2022. Wife + 2 children in Antalya. Significant economic loss; professional return is psychological priority.

24-Month Roadmap for Ivan

Month	Stage	Action
3-12	Turkish learning (intensive)	TÖMER A1-B2 + medical Turkish start
10-12	Document preparation	Ukrainian diploma + transcript + apostille + Turkish translation
12-14	YÖK equivalency application	Online application + commission evaluation
15-22	STS Medicine preparation	8 months intensive (Turkish + medical content)
22-23	STS exam	October/November STS period
23-24	Registration + job	Ministry of Health registration + TTB + Antalya job application

Economic Framework for Ivan

• Family expenses (4 people, Antalya): 60K-90K TL/month (rent + food + school + health)
• Process costs: TÖMER fees + equivalency fee + STS fee + exam preparation + registration = 50K-100K TL total
• Spouse working?: If spouse learns Turkish and works, process supported
• Ukrainian pension/savings: May have decreased during transition

Pragmatic advice for Ivan: First 12 months Turkish priority; 13-22nd month STS preparation + parallel clinical observation (if available, free hospital volunteer observer); 23+ active work. If spouse learns Turkish, parallel increase in family income.

Antalya Advantage (For Ukrainian Physician)

Antalya is the area with intensive Ukrainian diaspora and Russian-speaking tourist population. Advantages for Ukrainian physician:

• Russian/Ukrainian patient service: Valuable in local tourist private hospitals
• Salary bonus: Multilingual physician 20-40% extra in Antalya tourist area
• Diaspora community: Easy social integration
• Ukrainian consulate nearby (Ankara) and honorary consulate in Antalya
• Children's education: Russian + Ukrainian school options in Antalya

Institutions for Information and Support

Presidency of Migration Management

• Residence permit and international protection procedures (goc.gov.tr)

Ukraine's Diplomatic Missions in Türkiye

• Consular procedures for identity and education documents

UNHCR Türkiye

• Information on rights and services for people under protection (help.unhcr.org/turkiye)

Ukrainian Medical Faculties

The following faculties are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools:

• O.O. Bohomolets National Medical University (Kiev)
• Lviv National Medical University
• Kharkov National Medical University
• Vinnitsa National Medical University
• Odessa National Medical University
• Bukovinian State Medical University
• Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University

Being listed is not a guarantee of equivalency; YÖK evaluates each application individually.

Family Reunion + Children's Education

Ukrainian physician can bring family + children to Turkey:

• Spouse residence: Through family residence, application via physician spouse
• Children MEB school: Possible registration to MEB state schools for Ukrainian children; additional language support for Turkish deficiency in some cities
• International school: English curriculum schools in Antalya/Istanbul (paid, foundation)
• Online Ukrainian school: Some children continue Ukrainian education system online (transitional option)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is there a special arrangement for Ukrainian physicians?

We could not verify any special equivalency or registration arrangement for Ukrainian physicians. In 2022 YÖK allowed students studying at Ukrainian universities to transfer or continue as special students; for graduate physicians the process is the same as for other foreign graduates. Under a 2022 circular, Ukrainians who cannot return because of the war may be granted a humanitarian residence permit.

Is Ukrainian diploma directly recognized?

Sometimes yes (commission discretion), generally STS Medicine requirement. Completion education rare.

Is STS conducted in Turkish?

Yes, only Turkish. No Ukrainian/Russian option.

My spouse is also a physician, can both of us work?

Yes, both of you separate equivalency + STS + registration processes. Good scenario for family income support.

What is the salary in Antalya?

General practitioner 90K-180K TL/month; specialist 150K-350K TL/month (2026 estimate, includes tourist area bonus; TTB + sector observations).

My child is 14 years old, how to register at MEB?

Provincial Directorate of National Education → age-appropriate class + Turkish support program.

Can I use Ukrainian pension or health insurance?

SGK registration + private insurance mandatory in Turkey; you can preserve Ukrainian health + pension rights but limited practical use in Turkey.

I have English, can I serve English patients?

Yes, valuable in international patient service in private hospitals. Turkish still mandatory (for registration + STS).

If considering return to Ukraine, is Turkish equivalency valid?

Turkish equivalency decision + Ukrainian work conditions are different. Ukrainian consulate + professional chamber consultation.

Is there trauma support?

You can contact organizations such as SGDD-ASAM for psychosocial support, or psychologists offering services in Russian or Ukrainian in large cities. In an emergency, call 112.

Professional Association Registration

• TTB Turkish Medical Association: Provincial chamber registration mandatory
• Turkish-Ukrainian Physicians Association: Professional network + information sharing (if available)
• Branch associations: After becoming specialist

Rehber Panda STS Medicine Coaching

At Rehber Panda, STS Medicine coaching does not change by nationality or by the country where you obtained your diploma; the same system applies to everyone. Kazım İncebacak runs the coaching online and one-to-one: a personal study plan up to the exam, mock exam tracking and the application calendar. Equivalency applications, registration and work permit procedures are not handled on your behalf; for these steps you are referred to the relevant official institution (YÖK, Ministry of Health). Details are on the coaching page.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes; not legal advice. YÖK equivalency, Ministry of Health registration and work permit procedures may change; verify with YÖK, ÖSYM, the Ministry of Health and the Presidency of Migration Management before applying. For a rejection decision or legal proceedings, consult an authorized lawyer; Rehber Panda does not provide legal representation.

More

For refugee physician + post-2022 processes: Refugee Physician Pillar | Syrian Physician Guide | YÖK Equivalency | Medical Turkish from Scratch | Family Residence.