License to practice medicine - medical doctor in Germany
Approbation - state authorization and recognition to work in certain professions in Germany Date: February 16, 2022A license to practice medicine is the legal requirement for working as a doctor in Germany. The conditions for obtaining a license to practice medicine vary depending on whether the degree was obtained in another EU country or in another country.
Approbation for doctors from EU countries
For doctors who have obtained their qualification in an EU country, specific regulations apply under the EU Professional Qualifications Directive. This directive enables extensive recognition of qualifications from other EU member states.
In order to obtain a license to practice in Germany, EU doctors generally have to submit an application to the competent licensing authority in their federal state. This authority checks the equivalence of the qualification and the required language skills. In many cases, participation in a knowledge test procedure is also required in order to check the professional qualifications.
Licensing for doctors from other countries
Doctors who have obtained their degree outside the EU are subject to stricter requirements for a license to practice in Germany. As a rule, they must take a licensing examination to prove the equivalence of their qualification.
The licensing examination usually comprises a written and oral examination in basic medical principles as well as a practical examination, which can vary depending on the federal state. In addition, German language skills at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages must be demonstrated.
Supporting institutions and organizations
For doctors who wish to obtain a license to practice medicine in Germany, there are various institutions and organizations that can provide support with the recognition of foreign qualifications and preparation for the licensing examination. These include
- Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
The ZAB is an important point of contact for the assessment of foreign educational qualifications and provides support with the equivalence assessment. Here is the link - German Medical Association (BÄK)
The BÄK offers information on licensing and provides guidelines for the recognition of foreign qualifications. Link to the German Medical Association - Medical associations
'The local medical associations in the federal states are responsible for licensing and offer advice and support with applications. Here are some examples of links. - Medical societies
Various medical societies offer courses and further training to prepare foreign doctors for the licensing examination.
Here are the URLs of some medical societies for different specialties:- Surgery: German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV)
Website: https://www.dgav.de/ - Gynecology: German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG)
Website: https://www.dggg.de/ - Anesthesiology: German Society for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (DGAI)
Website: https://www.dgai.de/ - Internal Medicine: German Society for Internal Medicine (DGIM)
Website: https://www.dgim.de/ - Neurology: German Society for Neurology (DGN)
Website: https://www.dgn.org/ - Cardiology: German Society for Cardiology - Cardiovascular Research (DGK)
Website: https://dgk.org/ - Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine: German Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ)
Website: https://www.dgkj.de/ - Gastroenterology: German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS)
Website: https://www.dgvs.de/ - Ophthalmology: German Ophthalmological Society (DOG)
Website: https://www.dog.org/ - Pneumology: German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP)
Website: https://www.pneumologie.de/ - Oncology: German Society for Hematology and Oncology (DGHO)
Website: https://www.dgho.de/
- Surgery: German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV)
Overall, obtaining a license to practice medicine in Germany is a demanding process that requires thorough preparation. By working together with the aforementioned institutions and organizations, foreign doctors can be successfully integrated into the German healthcare market. As a medical recruitment agency, we support doctors seeking access to the German labor market.
