A year and a month after leaving Cuba, a couple of doctors has celebrated an achievement that will mark a turning point in their lives: the recognition of their medical degrees in Spain, issued by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities.
It is about doctors Lisbet Peña González and Luis Enrique Ferrer Silva, who shared a post on TikTok (@dra.lisbetmpglez) to celebrate the outcome of a long and demanding process. In the video, they showed images of their arrival in Valencia with their young daughter, scenes from their life in Cuba, and the official recognition documentation.
"We can now practice as doctors in Spain after more than a year of waiting," they wrote to accompany the video.
“They arrived in this country with just a few suitcases and a two-year-old girl, filled with hope, knowing they would face the unknown, starting from scratch in a place where they knew nothing and no one, only with the dream of one day being able to work as doctors, a profession to which they had dedicated so many years of study and sacrifice,” is heard in the heartfelt post.
The video also alluded to the emotional challenges of the migration process: “They have felt anxiety, uncertainty, sadness, doubt, fear, anger… I think all the emotions that exist, but always with a conviction that you cannot settle for things as they come in life.”
Lisbet Peña explained in the comments that the approval process took a year and a month. “There are people who have been waiting for up to three years; not everyone has the same wait time,” she replied to a user. She also clarified that the MIR —the exam to access specialized training— is not mandatory: “You can practice without taking it, but it is very beneficial. Of course, everything at the right time because it requires preparation.”
Regarding job options after the accreditation, he stated: "You can work as a family doctor, in emergencies, in insurance companies, nursing homes, in various places. If you pursue a master's degree, you can also specialize in what you like. It all depends on what you want; you work according to what you set out to achieve."
At the end of the video, a message of conviction and gratitude can be heard: “This represents the beginning of the journey; now it is the start, and they are very happy to see that the sacrifice has been worth it. Thank you, and a thousand times thank you to those who help us. Always a thousand thanks to God.”
The post has received dozens of comments from Cubans both inside and outside of Spain, some of whom are also doctors undergoing the recognition process or individuals who have gone through similar situations.
"I feel great satisfaction when my Cubans arrive in this country and achieve their dreams," wrote one user. "Cubans around the world... many blessings," commented another. One person even shared, "I was undocumented for six years with a two-year-old child and never gave up. Today, I have it all thanks to God and this beautiful Spain that gave me the opportunity."
Others took the opportunity to ask practical questions about the process: “Did you have to take the MIR?”, “What can be done when the homologation arrives?”. The doctor explained in comments that her process lasted a year and a month, and that the MIR—the national exam for access to specialized training positions—is not mandatory to practice, although it can open up other professional options.
"You can work as a family doctor, in emergencies, in insurance companies, in care homes... If you do a master's degree, you can also specialize in whatever interests you," he replied.
A path shared by many
The experience of this couple is not an exception. More and more Cuban doctors are sharing on social media their struggle to validate their degrees in Spain. Such was the case with doctor Sam Sabater, who celebrated his validation with tears after three years of waiting. “You understand that all this sacrifice has been worth it,” he said at that time.
The doctor @wlenda.5 shared her happiness upon receiving the recognition as “the best end-of-year gift,” and later recounted her work experience as a family doctor in the Spanish public system: limited attention to 10 minutes per patient, a high workload, exclusive use of digital platforms, and clinical decisions made under personal digital signature.
Amid reforms, waits, and hope
Despite the fact that Spanish legislation establishes a maximum period of six months to resolve homologation applications, in practice, the process can extend for years. In 2024, Pedro Sánchez's government announced reforms to expedite these procedures, and the Madrid Medical College eliminated the requirement for the certificate of non-disqualification—a document that Cuba does not issue—thus facilitating access to licensure for Cuban doctors.
Still, hundreds of professionals continue to wait, many of them working in fields unrelated to their training.
Stories like those of these doctors in Valencia reflect not only a personal triumph but also the determination of a generation of Cuban professionals who, far from their homeland, continue to commit to practicing medicine with dignity and calling.
"Sometimes these are tests that God gives you to make you stronger and to show you that you can indeed do it," they acknowledge in the video of the Cuban couple in Valencia, who have celebrated a new chapter together in the European country.
Frequently asked questions about the recognition of medical degrees for Cubans in Spain
How long does it take to validate a Cuban medical degree in Spain?
The homologation process can take anywhere from a year to several years. Although Spanish legislation sets a maximum period of six months to resolve cases, in practice this time is often much longer due to bureaucracy and other administrative hurdles. Many Cuban professionals report waiting times of up to three years or more.
Is it necessary to take the MIR exam to practice medicine in Spain?
Taking the MIR exam is not mandatory to practice as a general physician in Spain. However, taking the MIR can open the door to medical specializations that are not available without this exam. Doctors who validate their degrees can work in areas such as family medicine, emergency care, insurance companies, or nursing homes.
What documents are required for the recognition of medical degrees in Spain?
To validate a medical degree in Spain, several essential documents are required. These include the university diploma, the academic transcript, the syllabus of the degree program, and, in some cases, certificates of no disqualification or criminal records. However, due to the Cuban regime's refusal to issue certain documents, Spanish authorities have allowed the submission of sworn statements as a temporary measure.
What are the main challenges faced by Cuban doctors in practicing in Spain?
The main difficulties include the bureaucracy of the recognition process and Cuba's refusal to issue certain necessary documents. The Cuban regime often denies "no disqualification" certificates to doctors who have emigrated, complicating their registration in Spain. Furthermore, the recognition procedures are slow and can take years, forcing many doctors to work in unrelated jobs while they wait.
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