OBJECTIVES : The migration of health care professionals has an emerging importance in health policy. One of its reasons is the dissatisfaction with salaries.We analysed the remuneration of general practitioners (GPs) in European OECD countries.

METHODS : Data were derived from OECD Health Database. We analysed data for every salaried GP’s in European OECD members, excluding Iceland, Latvia and Turkey.Countries were grouped as: Bismarckian solidarity-based health insurance system or Beveridge-like national health system.For analysing the average gross annual income (AGAI), US$ exchange rate (ER) and US$ PPP indicators were used between the years 2006-2015.

RESULTS : In 2006 AGAI (ER) of GPs were 63,390 US$, while in PPP it was 64,414US$ PPP for countries with Bismarck-model, and 77,228 US$, as well as 70,783 US$ PPP in Beveridge systems. The difference was not significant (p=0.695; p=0.810). In 2015 AGAI (ER) of GPs were 112,944 US$, while in PPP it was 129,171US$ PPP for countries with Bismarck-model, and 69,129 US$, as well as 79,488 US$ PPP in Beveridge-model countries. The difference was not significant (p=0.528; p=0.453).Between 2006-2015 AGAI of GPs increased from 63,390 US$ to 112,944 US$ (+78%) in Bismarck-model countries, while in Beveridge-based countries it decreased from 77,228 US$ to 69,129 US$ (-10%).Within the same time, AGAI of GPs from all OECD members increased from 58,514 US$ to 82,859 US$ (+42%). Between 2006-2015 AGAI of GPs increased from 64,414 US$ PPP to 129,171 US$ PPP (+101%) in Bismarck-model countries, in Beveridge-based countries it increased from 70,783 US$ PPP to 79,488 US$ PPP (+12%). Within the same time, AGAI of GPs from all OECD members increased from 60,824 US$ PPP to 97,781 US$ PPP (+61%).The remuneration increased mostly in Luxembourg, both in ER (+157%) and in PPP (+199%).

CONCLUSIONS : The remuneration of GPs increased higher in Bismarck-models between 2006-2015. Differences were not significant neither in 2006, nor in 2015.