Hamburg Veterinary Association

Single point of contact for professional recognition as a specialist veterinarian: General information

For recognition of your foreign professional qualification as a specialist veterinarian, you can contact a single point of contact. Further information can be found here.

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Point of single contact for professional recognition

Detailed description

Specialist veterinarians are not separate, independent professions.


These are additional qualifications. These additional titles can be awarded to you as a veterinarian if you have completed specialized professional training.


The profession of "veterinarian" is a regulated profession.


If your foreign qualification as a specialist veterinarian is not recognized, you are generally allowed to work as a veterinarian – provided that the requirements for practicing the profession are met.



Recognition of the additional qualification is therefore not a mandatory requirement to work as a veterinarian.



You can apply for recognition of your additional qualification as a specialist veterinarian through a single point of contact.


The single point of contact is a central office that will inform you about this, accept your application and forward it to the responsible department.

 

Information

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for contacting the Single Point of Contact.



The following requirements must be met for your professional additional qualification to be recognized:

  • They have a valid state professional license (Approbation) as a veterinarian in Germany or a professional permit.
  • They want to work as a specialist veterinarian in Germany.
  • They have a comparable additional professional qualification from abroad.
  • Their additional professional qualification is equivalent.
    • The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

Documents required

  • Application
  • detailed evidence of the relevant further training qualification,
  • CV (if applicable)
  • Qualification certificates relating to previous professional experience - each with translation

Please note

You can apply for recognition as a veterinarian as a professional access restriction at the Authority for Justice and Consumer Protection, Department V1.

Deadlines

no

Procedure

  • Before you can submit the application, you must already have a license to practice as a veterinarian or a professional permit in Germany.
  • You can apply for recognition of your advanced training title as a specialist veterinarian at the relevant state veterinary chamber:
  • First, submit your application and the required documents to the veterinary chamber of the federal state in which you wish to work.
  • You may be asked to submit missing documents.
  • The relevant authority will assess whether your professional qualification is equivalent. A professional qualification is considered equivalent if there are no substantial differences between your foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.
  • If your qualification as a specialist veterinarian is recognized, you can use the specialist title in Germany. You will receive a notification.
  • If significant differences are found, your specialist veterinary qualification will not be certified as equivalent. You will receive an explanation.

Processing time


If all required documents are submitted in the required format, processing takes between 3 and 12 months.

Fees

Fees range from €100 to €350.

Payment methods available

  • Bill

Payment information

Transfer in accordance with the payment request (based on the fee notification)

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Sections 32, 36 of the Hamburg Chamber Act for the Health Professions (HmbKGH)


http://www.landesrecht-ham-burg.de/jportal/portal/page/bshaprod.psml?showdoccase=1&st=lr&doc.id=jlr-HKGHArahmen&doc.part=X&doc.origin=bs


Continuing education and examination regulations of the Hamburg Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons


http://www.tieraerztekammer-hamburg.de/files/content/Weiterbildungsordnung_Fassung_2013.pdf

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Hamburg Veterinary Association

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Keywords: Veterinarian

Last updated: 11.10.2026