Blog / All specialties

All the results from the MIR 2025

The MIR placement process in Spain is progressing steadily. In this third week, seven specialties have already run out of spots.

Do you want to know which ones have been the MIR candidates’ top choices?

And which ones are still struggling to get started?

Stay tuned with us!

Sora Moreno
By:
Sora Moreno
MIR2025portada
MIR2025portada

After months of studying, preparing, and sacrificing hours of sleep, future residents are finally seeing the results.

The placement process began a few weeks ago and, as expected, some specialties are already “sold out.”

On the other hand, some haven’t even had a single spot taken yet.

But let’s start with the crown jewels.

Dermatology: Always the Favorite

Once again, Dermatology was the first specialty to run out of spots. Without a doubt, it remains one of the most in-demand choices—and for several reasons:

  • Fewer on-call shifts, which means less emergency-related workload. Working hours tend to be stable, leading to better work-life balance. Family and professional reconciliation is one of the main reasons Dermatology tops the list.
  • Career development, as it allows for a combination of clinical care with both medical and surgical procedures.
  • Clinical versatility, because it’s not only focused on the skin—it also involves treating tumors, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions.

All 131 Dermatology positions were filled on the very first day.

Silver for Plastic Surgery, Bronze for Ophthalmology

On the second day of the placement process, Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery filled 53 out of 55 spots, surpassing even Cardiology—another favorite among residents.

This specialty combines technical precision with creativity, requiring both artistic vision and surgical skill. Many residents see it as a “signature specialty” because every procedure is unique.

In addition, the results are often highly visible, which can have a strong positive impact on patients and lead to great professional satisfaction.

Plastic Surgery also tends to offer more favorable work schedules, especially in the private sector. Outside the public system, it represents a strong professional opportunity.

On the other hand, Ophthalmology ran out of spots by the fourth day, with a total of 224 positions available. This specialty blends medicine with high-precision surgery, allowing doctors to build a stable and focused clinical practice.

Like Dermatology, Ophthalmology involves fewer and less intense on-call shifts compared to other medical areas. Ophthalmologists are also in high demand, providing strong job prospects.

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Cirugía Plástica
Every year, more residents choose Plastic Surgery to do their MIR.

Higher Demand in Surgical and Highly Specialized Areas

As mentioned before, seven specialties ran out of spots within the first five days of the placement process.

Following Ophthalmology, the next to fill were Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology, Endocrinology and Nutrition, and Cardiology.

But sometimes, the type of specialty isn’t the only key factor. Top-tier hospitals are also a strong draw for new residents. This year, over 3,500 applicants competed for positions at Vall d’Hebron, La Paz, Gregorio Marañón, 12 de Octubre, and Clínic de Barcelona.

As we can see, most applicants prefer big cities for their residency. These locations are perceived to offer more opportunities, although this unfortunately leads to difficulties in filling positions in more rural or isolated areas of the country.

Less Popular Specialties

Of course, not everything moves quickly during the allocation process. After a few weeks, some specialties remained unchosen by any applicants.

One example is Family and Community Medicine, which, after one full week of the process, had only filled about 1% of its positions. This trend is seen every year. But why?

The perception among applicants plays a major role:

  • It is often seen as less prestigious, both academically and socially, compared to more hospital-centered specialties.
  • Professional burnout due to working conditions also contributes to its lower appeal.
  • Finally, lower salaries and fewer private sector career opportunities discourage many residents from choosing it.

However, many experts urge that Family and Community Medicine be given the value it truly deserves. It’s a cornerstone of the healthcare system and offers a more holistic, human-centered approach to care that few other specialties can match.

These trends have also raised awareness among health authorities about the need to improve working conditions and the overall appeal of this critical specialty.

Other less popular specialties include:

  • Occupational Medicine
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Clinical Analysis
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Thinking of Trying Again?

Why do so many residents consider retaking the MIR exam?

Did you know you can take it again?

 

Each year, more and more students choose to give themselves another year of preparation to approach the exam more calmly and confidently.

Here are a few reasons why this might be a good idea for you:

  • You can better manage your emotions.
    Confidence in yourself brings calm during the exam.
     
  • You can plan more efficiently.
    Studying in blocks, using timers, and taking breaks can help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
     
  • You’ll have a better shot at the specialty you want.
    Many candidates who scored beyond position 4,000 still accessed great opportunities—your goal is within reach.

 

Are you a MIR? Have you made up your mind?

Maybe you’re not 100% happy with your result. But that’s not the end.

Your future will depend on the decisions you make today.

So… what if you gave it another thought?

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mir2024FINAL
Your professional future will depend on the decision you make now.