Israel Recruits British Doctors at London Job Fair
More than 130 physicians attended the MedEx UK event to explore relocating to Israel for work.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Job Fairs
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Over 130 British doctors gathered at a London event to pursue relocation to Israel, aiming to help address a national physician shortage. Participants engaged with officials to expedite their medical license conversions and learn about employment opportunities.
Why it matters
Israel currently maintains 3.5 practicing physicians per 1,000 residents, trailing the OECD average of 3.9. Recruiting international medical professionals is a key strategy for the government to bolster its healthcare workforce.
The International Medical Aliyah Program aims to recruit 2,000 doctors by 2029 to narrow the gap between Israel's 3.5 physicians per 1,000 residents and the 3.9 OECD average. Since the program's 2024 launch, 1,300 doctors have successfully made Aliyah.
The players
Israel Ministry of Health
This government entity is responsible for overseeing national healthcare standards and managing the medical license conversion process for international doctors.
International Medical Aliyah Program
Launched in 2024, this initiative coordinates the recruitment of global medical talent to move to Israel to address domestic personnel shortages.
The details
Physicians at the MedEx UK event received direct support regarding medical license conversion, Hebrew-language studies, and financial assistance. Representatives from various Israeli hospitals and healthcare providers were on-site to facilitate the transition process for interested applicants.
Timeline
377 people made Aliyah from the UK in 2023.
704 people made Aliyah from the UK in 2024.
890 people made Aliyah from the UK in 2025.
445 people made Aliyah from the UK between January and July 2026.
The MedEx UK event was held in London on October 25, 2026.
Market Landscape
The push to recruit British medical professionals follows the strategic goals established by the International Medical Aliyah Program to close the physician-to-patient ratio gap. This event represents an expansion of national efforts to compete for international talent against other global healthcare systems.
While this program primarily targets medical professionals, it reflects a broader government effort to ensure the stability of the national healthcare system. Prospective patients in Israel may see improvements in care availability as these recruitment targets are met over the next three years.
The takeaway
The sustained growth in UK-based departures highlights a continuing trend in international migration for medical professionals. Prospective doctors looking to relocate should prioritize completing the license conversion requirements early to ensure eligibility for upcoming government support.
Further reading
Find more context on current industry hiring initiatives in our Job Fairs section.
Live Poll
Would you consider relocating your medical career to another country if offered professional support?
