Since 2020, hundreds of Belarusian medical professionals have been forced to leave the country. Their migration was not a typical labour movement but a response to political pressure, security threats and the impossibility of practicing medicine according to professional ethics.
This study examines the experiences of Belarusian doctors currently residing in Poland, Lithuania and Germany. It is based on mixed methods research: a survey of 48 respondents and 7 in-depth interviews.
This study was prepared within the framework of the Ideas Bank open call for external researchers. This project is funded by the European Union.
Key findings include:
- migration is predominantly politically forced;
- diploma recognition (nostrification) is the main institutional barrier;
- professional identity initially undergoes a “status disruption” but is later restored;
- informal networks and diaspora support are crucial;
- most respondents do not plan to return under the current political regime.
Despite institutional barriers and emotional strain, Belarusian medical professionals demonstrate strong resilience and adaptability.
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The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ideas Bank team.
