More than 220 GPs in could be lost from Scotland because of Brexit, according to doctors.
The Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland (RCGPS) has found 226 family doctors are graduates from an European Economic Area (EEA) country, which takes in most EU member states.
RCGPS chairman Miles Mack said a projected deficit of more than 800 doctors by 2021 could rise to more than 1,000 after Brexit losses.
Dr Mack, who has a practice in Dingwall, has called for all political parties to guarantee protection for these GPs and their patients.
He said: He said: “We are calling for government to safeguard the GP workforce during international negotiations by guaranteeing the status of healthcare professionals already working in Scotland and the UK.
“Repeated surveys have shown the considerable percentage of GPs in Scotland who plan to soon leave the service as a result of overwork and consistent underfunding.
“An enormous and urgent effort is required in Scotland to save general practice.
“Inexplicably, GPs are not yet on the Shortage Occupation List and placing the profession there as a matter of urgency will ease visa applications for those who do want to come and serve our patients.”
Dr Mack said Scotland had lost 90 GPs between 2013-15, from 3,735 to 3,645, and now faced losing one-in-25 by 2021.
North-east MSP Ross Thomson said guarantees for EU nationals must be done at the same time as guarantees for UK citizens living in the EU.
He said: “At present, it is the EU holding up a deal on that front.
“There are several areas, including in our NHS, where there is a clear need for migrant workers, and the UK Government recognises this. ”
Health secretary Shona Robison said: “The uncertainty surrounding the UK’s withdrawal from the EU presents us with many challenges for planning the future NHS and social care workforce.
“The contribution of EU and EEA nationals to our NHS cannot be overestimated. Doctors, nurses and care workers from across Europe help to staff our GP surgeries, our hospitals and our care homes.
“In the Scottish Government we’ve made clear our view that, as a priority, their right to live and work in this country must be protected, as well as our ability to attract their successors in years to come.”