Social Authority
Apply for permission to use the professional title of podiatrist

If you want to use the professional title “podiatrist” or “podiatrist”, you need a permit. You must apply for the permit.

Detailed description

When working as a chiropodist, a distinction is made between cosmetic and medical foot care. Cosmetic foot care (on healthy feet) can be carried out without a permit. You must register a business for this activity.

Medical foot care or podiatry is classified by law as a medical profession and therefore requires a license. It involves treatment of healthy feet, feet at risk of damage and/or feet that are already damaged.

If you want to use the professional title of “podiatrist” or “medical chiropodist” and work in that profession, you need permission to do so. You must apply for permission.

Information

Important notes

Prerequisites

You have completed the required training and passed the state final examination or your foreign professional qualification has been recognized in Germany.
You have not been guilty of any conduct that would render you unreliable to perform your profession.
You are not unsuitable for the profession due to health reasons.
You have the knowledge of the German language required to carry out your professional activities.

Documents required

Copy of the certificate confirming that the training period prescribed by the relevant law has been completed and the state examination has been passed or notice of the determination of the equivalence of the foreign professional qualification
(police) certificate of good conduct (does not need to be brought with you, just apply for it at the city administration, not older than 3 months)
If you have a foreign professional qualification, criminal records from all countries in which you have resided in the last 5 years
Medical certificate stating that you are not unfit to practice the profession due to health reasons
Confirmation of having the knowledge of the German language required to carry out the professional activity (certificate of acquisition of language skills at least level B2)

Please note

Comparable qualifications that you have acquired outside Germany can be recognized as equivalent. If you have completed a corresponding training course outside Germany, you may be able to work as a service provider temporarily and occasionally in Germany without a permit (according to EU law). You must report this to the relevant authority in advance.

Deadlines

Procedure & Fees

Procedure

You submit your application together with the necessary documents to the responsible authority.
The responsible authority will check your application for completeness and, if necessary, request any missing documents or information from you.
The responsible authority will check whether you meet all the requirements.
If you meet all the requirements, you will receive permission.
You may not begin the activity until you have received permission.

Processing time

Up to 6 weeks

Fees

150 EUR - 300 EUR

Legal notes

Legal remedies

You can raise an objection to a negative decision within one month of notification at the office specified in the letterhead.

Legal basis

§ 1 Paragraph 1 Law on the Profession of Podiatrist (Podiatrists Act - PodG)

www.gesetze-im-internet.de/podg/__1.html

§ 2 Law on the Profession of Podiatrist (Podiatrists Act - PodG)

www.gesetze-im-internet.de/podg/__2.html

Address and contact information