Apply for an approbation to practise as a doctor (third country)

Doctors examine patients, make findings, diagnose illnesses, determine therapeutic measures and carry out medical treatments and interventions.

The profession of doctor is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to be able to work as a doctor in Germany without any restrictions, you need an Approbation (licence to practise medicine). Approbation is the state authorisation to practise the profession. This means that you are not allowed to work independently as a doctor without an Approbation.

You can also obtain a licence to practise medicine in Germany with a professional qualification from a so-called third country. Third countries are all states that do not belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

In order to obtain the licence to practise medicine, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognised. In the recognition procedure, the competent body compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and checks the equivalence. The equivalence of the professional qualification is an important prerequisite for the granting of the licence to practise medicine.

In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must also fulfil other requirements for the granting of the permit. Further requirements are, for example, sufficient German language skills and health suitability.

If your professional qualification comes from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, other regulations apply.

You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.

Procedure
1. Application
You submit an application for a licence to practise medicine to the competent authority. The competent body then checks whether your training corresponds to the German training and whether all other requirements are met. Approbation can only be granted if your training from a third country is equivalent to German training.

2. Equivalence check
The competent body compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification. The competent body 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.

3. Possible results of the examination
If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The authority can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to fulfil the other requirements and prove your language skills. Then you will be granted your licence to practise medicine.
  • Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Perhaps you can compensate for the differences through your professional practice, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You must provide evidence of professional practice. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority of the state in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.
  • However, it may be that the essential differences cannot be compensated by this knowledge. The competent authority will tell you the essential differences and why you cannot compensate for the essential differences through your professional experience.
  • The decision of the competent body will also state the level of your training and the level required in Germany. You will then not be allowed to work as a doctor in Germany.
4. Knowledge examination
If your professional qualification is not equivalent and you cannot compensate for the differences, you can take a knowledge examination. The knowledge examination is based on the final examination as a doctor in Germany. The knowledge examination is an oral-practical examination.
If you pass the knowledge examination and meet all other requirements, you will receive your licence to practise medicine.

Prerequisites

  • A medical training completed in a third country that is equivalent to a German training or of an equivalent level of knowledge.
    The equivalence of the level of knowledge must be proven by examination, if necessary.
  • Health fitness
  • Proof of reliability and worthiness for the practice of medicine
  • Sufficient knowledge of German level B 2
  • Technical language test
  • Proof of competence

Documents required

  • Application for the granting of the licence to practise medicine in the case of training in a third country
  • Proof of responsibility for the Land of Berlin
    (e.g. confirmation of employment, proof of habitual residence in the Land of Berlin/
    main residence if applicable, applications for vacancies in the Land of Berlin, invitations to interviews).
  • Curriculum vitae in tabular form with signature and date
  • Proof of identity (valid identity card or passport)
  • Certificate of birth
    (in the event of a change of name, e.g. due to marriage, also this document)
  • Certificate of good conduct for presentation to an authority
    To verify personal reliability, information from the Federal Central Register (certificate of good conduct) is required for submission to an authority (document type O).
    The information must be not older than three months.
  • Certificate of Good Conduct/Certificate of Clearance of Offences
    of the police or judicial authorities of the home country, if applicable, of the study country (if presented, not older than 3 months)
  • Certificate of good standing/Certificate of good standing
    of the competent authority of the country in which the profession was practised (if presented, not older than 3 months)
  • Medical certificate from a doctor licensed in Germany
    (not older than 3 months if presented)
  • Proof of completed education (third country)
    (see checklist for persons with third-country education)
  • Certificate B 2 on knowledge of the German language
    (from telc, TestDaF or Goethe-Institut - not older than 3 years).
    It is not necessary to submit the language certificates at the time of application.
  • Specialist language test - Level C 1 (Berlin Medical Association)
    It is not necessary to submit the language certificates at the time of application.
  • Doctoral certificate (if available)
  • Official certification of copies
    If copies are submitted, they must be officially certified. In the case of copies without official certification, the simultaneous submission of the originals is required.

Forms

Fees

EUR 430.00

Legal basis

Average time to process request

approx. 3-4 months, if all documents are complete

More information

Notes on responsibility

Approbation is only granted by the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs.

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