Doctor with training from third countries, recognition of professional qualification

Prerequisites

• You have a professional qualification as a doctor from a third country.
• You want to work as a doctor in Germany.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable to work as a doctor and have no criminal record.
• Medical suitability: You can work as a doctor both mentally and physically.
• You have German language skills at the required language level. As a rule, these are general language skills at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and medical language skills at level C1.

Documents required

• Proof of identity (e.g. passport or ID card)
• Marriage certificate (if your name has changed through marriage)
• CV
• Proof of your professional qualifications (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
• Evidence of the content and duration of your training (e.g. Diploma Supplement, Transcript of Records)
• Proof of your professional experience in your profession (e.g. job references)
• Information on whether you have already applied for a license to practice medicine in Germany
• You must prove that you are allowed to work in the profession in your training country.
• Don't live or work in the EU, EEA or Switzerland yet? Then you have to prove that you want to work in Germany in this profession. Proof can be: applications for a job, proof of your application for an entry visa for gainful employment or personal declaration

You usually submit these documents later. The competent authority will inform you when you should hand in the documents:

• Proof of your personal suitability: criminal record extract or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin. The proof may not be more than 3 months old at the time of application.
• Proof of your health suitability: Medical certificate. The proof may not be more than 3 months old at the time of application.
• Proof of your knowledge of German: language certificate.
• General German language skills at level B2 are a prerequisite for the license to practice medicine. You can also submit the required language certificate during the approval process. You must also take a medical language test at level C1 during the approbation process.

The competent authority will tell you which documents you have to submit as a simple copy, a certified copy or the original.
If your documents are not in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. The translations must be made by translators who are publicly appointed or authorized.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

application
You submit an application for the license to practice medicine to the competent authority. You can submit the application with the documents to the responsible office or send it by post. Do not send originals. Sometimes you can also send the application electronically. The responsible body will inform you.
The competent authority then checks whether your training corresponds to the German training and whether all other requirements are met. Approval can only be granted if your training from a third country is equivalent to the German training.

equivalence test
The competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification. The competent authority checks whether your professional qualification is equivalent. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

Possible results of the test
If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The authority can confirm the result in writing. You still have to meet the other requirements and prove your language skills. Then you will be granted the license to practice medicine.
Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? You may be able to compensate for the differences through your work experience, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You must provide evidence of professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority in the state in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.
However, it may be that the essential differences cannot be compensated for by this knowledge. The competent body will tell you the main differences and why you cannot compensate for the main differences through your professional practice.
The notice from the competent authority also states the level of your training and what level is required in Germany. You are then not allowed to work as a doctor in Germany.

knowledge test
If your professional qualifications are not equivalent and you cannot compensate for the differences, you can take a knowledge test. The knowledge test is based on the final examination as a doctor in Germany. The knowledge test is an oral-practical test.
If you pass the knowledge test and meet all other requirements, you will be licensed to practice medicine.

Processing time

Individual case dependent

Fees

The costs generally depend on the effort involved in processing.




Additional costs may also arise (e.g. for translations or certifications). These costs vary from person to person.

Legal basis

§ 2 ff. Federal Medical Code

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/b_o/__2.html


Section 37 et seq. Licensing regulations for doctors

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/_appro_2002/__37.html