In 2026, France is experiencing a notable shortage in several medical specialties. This situation affects both public hospitals, private clinics, and medical-social structures, particularly in rural or peripheral regions. For European doctors, these tensions represent real professional opportunities. Here are the five most sought-after specialties in France this year, along with the areas where needs are most pressing.
1. General Medicine: the cornerstone of the healthcare system
General medicine remains the specialty most affected by the lack of practitioners. Unreplaced retirements, particularly in rural areas, worsen the phenomenon of medical desertification. Departments such as Creuse, Nièvre, Cantal, and some sectors of Île-de-France are critically lacking general practitioners. The state and local authorities offer numerous incentives for settlement to address this.
2. Geriatrics: a growing need due to the aging population
With the aging of the French population, the need for geriatric care is exploding. Nursing homes, follow-up and rehabilitation care services (SSR), and geriatric hospitals lack doctors specialized in the care of the elderly. Occitanie, Brittany, and Hauts-de-France are among the most affected regions. Geriatrics offers a humane, multidisciplinary, and stable work environment.
3. Anesthesia-Resuscitation: an essential link, especially in hospitals
Anesthetists-resuscitators are in demand in many hospital establishments, particularly in operating rooms, resuscitation, and emergency services. This highly technical specialty is particularly sought after in medium-sized hospitals and local hospitals. The Grand Est region, Normandy, and some areas of Nouvelle-Aquitaine are in high demand.
4. Psychiatry: a major public health issue
Mental health has become a national priority, but psychiatry is severely lacking professionals. The shortage of psychiatrists affects both adults and children. Psychiatric hospitals, CMPs (Medico-Psychological Centers), and child psychiatry services are actively seeking to recruit. Île-de-France, PACA region, and Centre-Val de Loire are particularly strained.
5. Radiology: a key specialty in digital transformation
In the midst of technological transformation, radiology suffers from a shortage of practitioners, especially in facilities with modern technical platforms. The rise of teleradiology is not enough to fill the field shortage. The regions of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Pays de la Loire, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are actively seeking. Attractive working conditions are offered there.
Euromotion Medical guides you towards the most sought-after specialties
At Euromotion Medical, we identify opportunities according to your specialty and geographic aspirations. We work with structures actively seeking to strengthen their medical teams. With our personalized support, you can access key positions in the regions that need it most, while benefiting from a secure and humane installation framework.
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