Your path to Medical Licensure
Your professional recognition as a Doctor in Germany
Qualified foreign doctors with excellent German language skills at the C1 level are in high demand, especially given the shortage of medical professionals in Germany, particularly in rural areas. Whether you are a recent medical graduate or have been practicing as a doctor for some time, many international doctors find it desirable to work in Germany.
Doctors in training are particularly sought after in the fields of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Anaesthesiology, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Paediatrics, and Neurology. Experienced foreign specialists are also highly valued in areas such as Geriatrics, Psychiatry and Psychosomatics, ENT, Urology, and Radiology.
Requirements for obtaining Medical Licensure
1. Medical studies from an EU / EEA country or Switzerland
A medical degree obtained within the EU is automatically recognised in Germany upon application, provided that the qualification is listed in the European Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EC, Annex V No. 5.1.1), the minimum criteria of the directive have been met, and the training started after the specified date. Since the EU has agreements with Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, medical qualifications obtained in these countries are considered equivalent to those from EU countries. If all other requirements (such as German language proficiency, health suitability, and a clean criminal record) are met, the applicant will be granted licensure.
2. Medical studies outside an EU / EEA country or Switzerland
A medical degree obtained outside the EEC and Switzerland must first undergo an equivalency assessment by the relevant licensing authority in Germany. If the authority determines that the foreign diploma is equivalent or that any differences in training can be compensated for by relevant professional experience or other recognised knowledge and skills, and all other requirements (such as German language proficiency, no criminal record, and health suitability) are met, the applicant will be granted licensure.
If the authority believes there are significant differences between the medical training in the country of origin and in Germany, it may require the applicant to pass a knowledge test, provided that the differences in training cannot be compensated for by relevant professional experience or other recognised knowledge and skills. The experience, knowledge, and skills may have been acquired worldwide.
In rare cases, the licensing authority may consider the medical training or degree as not equivalent and, due to significant discrepancies, may not offer a knowledge test to prove equivalent knowledge. In such cases (approximately 1% of applications), practising medicine in Germany will not be possible.
The equivalency assessment and evaluation of professional experience and other recognised knowledge and skills are carried out on a case-by-case basis by the competent authority. The statutory period for the equivalency assessment is a maximum of four months after receipt of all required documents by the licensing authority. Unfortunately, this deadline is often exceeded.
What language skills are required?
German language certificate B2
In addition to a completed medical degree, a fundamental prerequisite is proof of adequate German language skills. Most federal states require at least a B2 language certificate, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), for applying for licensure or a professional permit. However, this is not sufficient to pass the C1 Medical Language Exam later on.
C1 Medical Language Exam. or proof of required German language skills
To actually obtain the professional permit or licensure, you must prove that you have the necessary German language skills for practicing medicine. This should not be a problem for doctors who have German as their native language or who have already gained professional experience in German-speaking countries (Austria or Switzerland) and have provided corresponding proof there. Doctors from non-German-speaking countries must take the C1 Medical Language Exam Registration for the C1 Medical Language Exam at medical chambers, licensing authorities, specific language schools, and universities is usually only possible after the licensure or professional permit has been applied for. The fees for the C1 Medical Language Exams vary between providers and currently range between €300 and €490.
Registration for the C1 Medical Language Exam
In some federal states, it is necessary to apply for the professional permit before registering for the C1 Medical Language Exam. This means you must at least have submitted the application for the professional permit to be eligible to take the exam. The professional permit allows you to work temporarily as a doctor in Germany, often with the requirement to pass the C1 Medical Language Exam.
In other federal states, it may be sufficient to apply directly for licensure, with the C1 Medical Language Exam considered part of the licensure process. In this case, proof of passing the C1 Medical Language Exam is a prerequisite for licensure.
FAQ´s about Medical Licensure
How do I obtain licensure as a Doctor?
If you have studied medicine in the EU, you only need to prove your German and specialist language skills. Your documents will be recognised based on the equivalence of EU qualifications.
If you are from a non-EU country, the procedure is more complexe. To have your qualification as a doctor recognised in Germany, you need to prove the following:
- Completed medical training
- Recognized language certificate B2
- C1 Medical Language Exam
- Health suitability
- Clean criminal record
What is the difference between a license to practice ("Berufserlaubnis") and a professional Medical License ("Approbation")
German license to practice medicine
The German Approbation (Latin approbatio "recognition, approval") is in Germany the state unrestricted authorization to practice the corresponding profession independently and on one's own responsibility. This is associated with the authority to use the respective professional title. The granting of the German Approbation is regulated by Approbationsordnungen, which are issued by the Federal Ministry of Health (Germany) on the basis of the corresponding laws of the Bundesärzteordnung - BÄO.
Professional license
The professional license is limited to a maximum of two years. Within these two years, the doctors must pass the knowledge examination. The aim is to obtain the German Approbation. The professional permit is limited to a non-independent and non-managerial activity. Physicians with the professional permit work under the supervision of a licensed physician (§ 10 of the BÄO - Bundesärzteordnung).
If you wish to work in another federal state during your professional permit period, you must apply for a new professional permit there. The requirements and conditions may vary. Although a professional permit granted in one federal state is not automatically recognised in another, it is possible that certain documents and certificates (such as the C1 Medical Language Exam) may be recognised when moving. Nevertheless, the application for the professional permit must be submitted anew.
What is the knowledge test?
The knowledge test refers to the content of the German medical studies. The foreign physician must prove that he or she has the same knowledge that is required of domestic graduates of medical schools.
Since the entry into force of a legal regulation on January 1, 2014, the focus of the examination has been on the subjects of
- Internal medicine
- Surgery
The questions should additionally consider the following aspects:
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical pharmacology / pharmacotherapy
- Imaging techniques
- Radiation protection
- Legal issues in the practice of medicine
In addition, the competent authority may, in advance of the examination, determine a subject or cross-sectional area as relevant to the examination in which it has identified significant differences between the medical training in Germany and the applicant's training.
The knowledge examination is an oral-practical examination with patient presentation and lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. It can be repeated a maximum of two times. An appointment for the knowledge examination must be offered to the applicant within six months of the decision. Unfortunately, this deadline is often exceeded.
What does the knowledge test cost?
The fees for the knowledge test vary between the individual federal states. They range from € 350 in Schleswig-Holstein to € 1,100 in Hesse or Rhineland-Palatinate. As the fees can change at any time, it is strongly recommended to check with the relevant authority for the current examination fees.
What does the German Approbation mean?
What happens after the license to practice medicine?
As soon as you hold your German license to practice medicine in your hands, you have made it: from a professional point of view, nothing stands in the way of your career as a physician m/f/d in Germany.
You meet the formal requirements - we have the jobs. If you are looking for a new job, contact the recruiting team at MedicalTalentNetwork Recruiting with confidence. We will show you which vacancies match your wishes and clarify your questions about conditions, employment contract and the region in which your new workplace is located in advance of starting work. We are happy to advise you, without obligation and free of charge.
How to become a member of the MedicalTalentNetwork
Register for free in the candidate database of the MedicalTalentNetwork, the MedicalTalentPool by clicking on "Apply Now." Based on the information you provide, we can better understand your expectations, wishes, and opportunities and discuss them with you personally.
As the requirements for the professional recognition of medical qualifications vary from one federal state to another, our recruitment team will provide you with all informations that are required and will help you to succeed.
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Requirements for licensure as a physician
Would you like to work as a doctor in Germany? Then you need professional recognition. The recognition process differs between EU and non-EU countries:
If you have studied medicine in the EU, you only need to prove your German language and medical language skills. Your documents will be recognised due to the equivalence of EU degrees.
If you come from a non-EU country, the process is much more complex:
For the recognition process as a doctor in Germany, you must provide evidence of the following:
- Completed medical training
- Recognised language certificate B2
- C1 medical language examination
- Health suitability
- No criminal record
We advise you on the professional recognition of your medical qualification
As the requirements for the professional recognition of medical qualifications vary from one federal state to another, the recruitment team at MedicalTalentNetwork Recruiting will be happy to support you with their expertise throughout the entire process!
Whether you want to work as a doctor in Baden-Württemberg, Hamburg, Saarland, Saxony, or any other part of Germany, we will provide you with information on the relevant examination requirements for professional recognition.
Register now for free in our MedicalTalentNetwork. This allows us to get to know you better and discuss your options for professional recognition as a doctor in Germany in a personal conversation.
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