Recognition of your professional qualification as a doctor
The shortage of skilled workers in healthcare is an increasing issue in Germany. Especially in the medical field, there is a constantly growing demand for qualified professionals. This presents a valuable opportunity for doctors from abroad. But how can they successfully integrate into the German healthcare system, and what hurdles must they overcome?
In Germany, there is a wide range of job opportunities for doctors. In addition to traditional roles in doctor’s offices and hospitals, there are positions available in health centers, rehabilitation clinics, hospices, nursing services, and care facilities. Furthermore, doctors can also pursue careers in medical research or education, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry, health authorities, health insurance companies, and medical associations.
Recognition of Foreign Medical Degrees in Germany
In order to practice medicine in Germany, doctors must have their medical degree obtained abroad officially recognized.
In Germany, this requires the Approbation, the state license to practice medicine with unrestricted professional authorization.
Alternatively, you can obtain a professional permit: Berufserlaubnis, which allows for temporary practice in the medical profession.
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Your citizenship doesn't matter here.
The key factor is the country in which the professional qualification was obtained.
That’ why, even German medical students who have completed their education abroad must have their degree recognized. However, for this group, the requirement to prove language skills is waived, which simplifies the process somewhat.
Anerkennung als Arzt in Deutschland
General requirements for recognition
- Equivalency of Professional Qualification: Equivalency Examination
- Health Suitability: Medical Certificate
- Personal Suitability: Extract from the criminal record of your home country
- German Language Skills: Proof must be no older than 3 years (Language requirements vary by federal state)
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A key difference is whether you got your medical degree in Europe (or the EU) or outside of Europe.
Recognition of degrees from the EU or Europe
Medical degrees from EU and EEA countries are generally recognized in Germany without the need for an additional examination. This is based on EU Directive 2005/36/EC, which aims to promote professional mobility and establish uniform standards in healthcare.
Application for Recognition
Anyone who has completed their medical education in the European Union can apply for automatic recognition in Germany. The condition is that the degree is listed in the EU Professional Recognition Directive 2005/36/EC (Annex V, No. 5.1.1) and meets the minimum requirements of the directive. It’s also crucial that the studies began after the cutoff date specified in the directive.
The recognition process is completed within three months after all required documents are submitted.
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The Approbation Authority of the Federal State in which you wish to work is always responsible for recognizing your medical qualification.
A complete list of all the state offices, including addresses and contact details, can be found in the list of licensing authorities for each federal state.
Alternatively, you can use the recognition finder. Simply select “Doctor” as your profession, enter your home country and preferred city, and you’ll get all the details on which authority is responsible for your application, plus all the key contact and procedure info at a glance.
Recognition of Medical Qualifications from the EEA and Switzerland Medical qualifications from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland are legally equivalent to EU degrees. Doctors from these countries therefore benefit from the same recognition rules and deadlines as their colleagues from the EU. |
Requirements for the recognition of a European medical degree
Proof of Sufficient German Language Skills:
Foreign doctors must first demonstrate German language skills at a B2 level (CEFR) and then pass a C1 medical language exam, which can be submitted after the application.Confirmation of Health Suitability (medical certificate)
Submission of a Criminal Record (to prove personal suitability)
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Medical recognition in another EU country does not directly lead to recognition in Germany.
Certified translation
To ensure a smooth approval process for your medical license, all documents that are required in original form should be submitted as certified copies. Foreign-language documents (those not in German or English) usually need to be translated into German by a certified or sworn translator in Germany before submission.
In some Federal States, original educational documents must be certified with a Hague Apostille, an international certification that verifies the authenticity of public documents. This is provided by an authority in the country where the documents originate, typically the country where you completed your studies.
We’re happy to help with the certified translation of your documents. Simply select the document you need to be translated from our online shop and upload a scan of the original.
Medical Degree Before EU Accession? How to Secure Your License to Practice Medicine in Germany
If you started your medical studies in an EU country before it joined the EU, you will need additional documents. For example, this could be a conformity certificate issued by the competent authority of the country where you completed your education. Alternatively, you can prove that you have worked as a doctor in an EU country for at least three years without interruption.
UK Medical Degree Recognition post-Brexit: What you need to know
If you completed your medical studies in the UK before January 1, 2021, your qualification is still considered an EU qualification under Directive 2005/36/EC, even if you submit your recognition application later. However, if your degree was obtained after December 31, 2020, you will need to go through the process for third-country qualifications, which we will cover in the next section.
Medical Degree from Outside Europe: The Recognition Process in Germany
For many doctors from countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, the path to practicing medicine in Germany comes with more challenges. The recognition of foreign medical qualifications is an important step, involving several assessments. In this article, we explain the key steps you need to take to work as a doctor in Germany.
Recognition Finder: Quickly find the relevant authority for your recognition process. List of Approbation Authorities: Get an overview of all the Approbation authorities in the federal states. |
Different Forms of Recognition
To work as a doctor in Germany, you need either an Approbation (medical license) or, alternatively, a temporary Berufserlaubnis (license to practice).
In the following, we’ll explain the difference and the requirements for each.
Approbation (licence to practice as a doctor)
The Approbation is the full state authorization to practice medicine in Germany. It is granted only once the equivalency of your degree has been confirmed and all other requirements, including the necessary German language skills at a medical proficiency level (C1), are met.
Berufserlaubnis (temporary license to practice as a doctor)
Instead of a license to practice as a doctor, you can also obtain a temporary license to practice.
A temporary license is valid for a maximum of two years, which allows you to work as a doctor from abroad under supervision. Within this period, you must pass the knowledge test in order to obtain your license to practice medicine. The professional license does not allow you to work independently or in a managerial position and does not entitle you to further training as a specialist.
The only requirement is that you have completed medical training abroad. If you have already used professional license periods in another federal state, the remaining duration will be taken into account when granting the license.
With a professional license, you can already work in Germany while you prepare for your license to practice medicine, for example, by taking the knowledge test.
The requirements for a professional license are:
- Completed medical degree abroad (proof of equivalence is not mandatory)
- Presentation of a job offer or employment contract from a recognized medical institution in Germany
- Application to the relevant licensing authority in the federal state where the job is located
- Proof of medical fitness by means of a medical certificate
- Proof of personal suitability by means of a certificate of conducr or certificate of good standing from your home country
- Proof of sufficient German language skills, usually at least B2 level (CEFR)
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The professional licence is a temporary measure that serves as a transition until a licence to practise medicine is granted.
Certified translation
As mentioned previously, it is important for the recognition process that foreign-language documents are available with certified translations. If you have documents that are not written in German or English, you should have them translated into German by a publicly appointed or sworn translator. This will help you avoid unnecessary delays and ensure your documents are recognised without issue.
We are happy to assist you with this! If you need your documents to be translated, simply select the relevant document in our online shop and upload a scan of the original. We will take care of the rest.
Your destination country may require the authentication of foreign documents through a Hague Apostille. This process authenticates public documents, such as a birth certificate or degree, to ensure they are recognized in other member countries of the 1961 Hague Convention. The Apostille is issued by the relevant authority in the country where you completed your studies.
Equivalence assessment
When recognising a medical degree from a third country, the relevant licensing authority will conduct an individual assessment. This involves checking whether your degree is equivalent to German qualification standards in terms of both theory and practice.
Although the law stipulates a maximum period of four months for the assessment of equivalence (calculated from the date of receipt of all documents), this period is often exceeded in practice.
In many cases, the Expertise Centre for Health Professions (GfG) is commissioned to evaluate your documents. If significant differences are found, such as deficits in theory or practice, you will need to take a knowledge test to compensate for these.
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The process is time-consuming and costly, and a positive equivalence decision is not guaranteed.
Knowledge test in case of non-equivalence
If the equivalence assessment determines that your medical degree does not fully meet the standards of German medical degree programs, the knowledge test is the only way to compensate for these differences.
Knowledge test summary:
· Oral-practical examination with patient presentation. · Focus on internal medicine and surgery · Related to the entire content of the German medical degree programme. · Duration: 60–90 minutes · Maximum of two retakes nationwide · There are corresponding preparation courses.
The goal is to prove that your medical knowledge and skills are equivalent to those of German medical graduates. |
Medical language exam
Language skills are a decisive factor. The minimum requirement in all federal states is level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for general German language proficiency.
In addition, medical professionals from non-EU countries must generally pass a technical language exam at CEFR level C1, which is specifically designed for medical terminology. The exam assesses the ability to convey medical information accurately and clearly, for instance during patient consultations, in reports, or in technical discussions.
However, these requirements may vary slightly depending on the federal state. You will find a list of the requirements for all federal states here.
In Saxony, for example, the process is exactly as described. In addition to the B2 certificate from a recognized language institute, the State Medical Association also requires candidates to pass the C1 technical language exam. |
Recognition procedure – step by step
- Application for Equivalency Assessment
Submit your application to the relevant licensing authority in the German state of your choice – you can even do this while still in your home country. At this stage, you don’t need to provide proof of your German language skills.
- Equivalency Evaluation
The licensing authority will assess your qualifications on an individual basis. This typically takes up to 4 months, though it can sometimes take longer. You will either receive confirmation that your qualifications are equivalent to the German standard, or the authority will identify significant differences.
3a. If Your Qualifications Are Equivalent:
If your qualifications are recognized as equivalent, you can apply for your professional license (Approbation). If all requirements are met, your license will be granted.
3b. If Significant Differences Are Found:
If significant differences are identified, you will need to pass a knowledge exam in order to receive your professional license. You can prepare for this exam by attending specialized preparatory courses.
- During Your Preparation:
While preparing for the knowledge exam, you can apply for a temporary professional permit (Berufserlaubnis). This permit allows you to work on a limited basis (up to 2 years), giving you the opportunity to gain practical experience.
- Medical Language Proficiency Exam
You can take the medical language proficiency exam either before or at the same time as the knowledge exam. This exam tests your medical German at a C1 level to ensure you’re equipped to communicate effectively in a clinical setting.
- Issuance of the Professional License
Once you’ve passed the knowledge exam and met all other requirements (German language proficiency, health suitability, and a clean criminal record), you will be granted the professional license (Approbation). This will allow you to practice your profession in Germany without restrictions.
A few more things to keep in mind:
- Getting your medical specialty recognised is an important step, but it can only happen once you have received your official medical licence (approbation).
- Bear in mind that the licensing authorities do charge fees, though in some cases, these costs may be covered.
- If you are coming from outside the EU, you will most likely need a visa, such as an EU Blue Card, before you can enter.
- There are plenty of resources available to guide you through having your foreign qualifications recognised and getting your certificates translated.
- Good luck!
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