Frequently
Asked Questions.
What is the difference between the limited registration (‘Berufserlaubnis’) and the full registration (‘Approbation’) as a physician in Germany?
The limited registration (‘Berufserlaubnis’) is limited to 2 years and does not allow opening a private medical practice. It typically restricts to work under supervision by a doctor who has an ‘Approbation’. Limited registration is only valid in the local state where it has been issued.
The full registration (‘Approbation’) allows to practice in all 16 German states and comes without the work restrictions of the limited registration.
What language skills are required to work as a Physician in Germany under limited or full registration?
Language requirements for the limited registration (‘Berufserlaubnis‘):
In most German states the required language skills are the same for the limited (‘Berufserlaubnis‘) or the full registration (‘Approbation‘ - see also next sub-section).
There are currently exceptions in the following states:
Baden-Württemberg: B2 exam (CEFR) from a recognized language school.
The medical German language exam of the State Chamber of Physicians Baden-Württemberg has to be passed soon afterwards.Berlin: B2 exam (CEFR) from telc, Goethe-Institute or TestDaF
Bremen: B2 exam (CEFR) from a recognised language school and personal conversation with the registration authority.
Hamburg: B2 exam (CEFR) from a recognised language school (In case of a possible extension of the limited registration over one year the medical German language exam of the State Chamber of Physicians Hamburg Level C1 has to be passed.)
Please note that the requirements can change anytime + there could be exceptions from the rules under certain circumstances.
CareME2 will identify the competent registration authority responsible for you and the exact requirements at the time of your application.
Language requirements for the full registration (‘Approbation‘):
To work as a Physician in Germany under full registration (aka ‘Approbation‘ or ‘Anerkennung‘) you need to be able to speak and write German sufficiently well for professional use and informal settings.
Depending on the German state you work or intend to work in, you would need to proof that your German language skills are at B2 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and in addition you typically have to take the so called ‘Fachsprachprüfung’ at C1 level as well.
CareME2 provides assistance to ensure you meet the requirements of the specific regional registration authority for a smooth transition and continuation of your career in Germany.
My basic medical training has been completed in a state outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland (also referred to as ‘third country’). Can I still get my diploma recognized?
The responsible institution (registration authority) reviews the equivalency on a case-by-cases basis and will assess your medical diploma and compare it to diplomas in Germany.
If the outcome of this comparison is either full equivalency of your diploma OR that existing differences or gaps in the basic medical training can be closed by relevant work experience or other recognized skills and competences (keyword ‘lifelong learning’) AND if additional requirements like German language proficiency, health requirements, clean criminal record, etc. are met, the full registration is typically granted.
In case the registration authority finds significant differences between your basic medical training from a third country, it may insist on taking a knowledge test.
You may be able to already start working after receiving a limited registration in order to prepare for the knowledge test. However, it is not a prerequisite for the admission to the knowledge test.
Working with a limited registration is not a guarantee to pass the knowledge test. For this reason, a thorough theoretical preparation of the test is highly recommended.
It is encouraging to know that only in a minority of the cases (around 1%), the local registration authority may deem that the basic medical training from abroad is not equivalent and that the gaps are too significant. In such a rare scenario, the knowledge test can not be taken and the physician will ultimately not be allowed to work in Germany.
Contact us at CareME2 if you have further questions around the specific requirements.
How long will the recognition of my basic medical diploma from a non-EEA country take?
Once the local registration authority received all the required documents it is supposed to make the decision within four months. However, depending on the exact local authority involved, the review and decision process may take longer and the time it takes for the recognition to go through can vary greatly.
Please note that it is important to ensure that the submitted documents are complete, as missing documents will prolong the recognition process (e.g. the registration authority will only start their work, once you submitted your full set of documents).
Do not hesitate to contact CareME2 if you have any doubts about the requirements and necessary documents or if you are not sure which local registration authority in Germany is the right one for you.
What is the EU Blue Card, its benefits and how do I apply for it?
The EU Blue Card is a residence title aiming at university graduates from outside the EU.
It facilitates the permanent settlement of highly-qualified persons from outside the EU in Germany.
Conditions for obtaining the EU Blue Card:
You are a university graduate: If you did not obtain your degree in Germany, it must either be recognized or comparable to a German degree.
You already have a binding job offer or an employment contract.
You have a minimum annual gross salary of EUR 55,200. A reduced minimum annual gross salary of EUR 43,056 applies to employment in the occupational fields of human medicine (including assistant doctors, but excluding dentistry).
The same would apply for university graduates in mathematics, information technology, natural sciences and engineering.
Please note that the mentioned salaries are for 2020 - the salary thresholds will be adjusted for each calendar year.
The employment offer must correspond to the qualification.
Application for EU Blue Card:
If you live outside the EU, you will usually need a visa for the purpose of gainful employment, which is issued by the relevant German diplomatic mission abroad. You can enter Germany with this visa.
Before this visa expires, you must apply for the EU Blue Card at the foreigners’ registration office at your place of residence.
The processing of the EU Blue Card application can take up to three months and an EU Blue Card issued in Germany can be valid for a maximum of 4 years.
Benefits of the EU Blue Card:
Relaxation of the conditions for family reunification:
With less strict conditions for family reunification, spouses are entitled to a residence permit without, for example, requiring knowledge of German and receive immediate and unlimited permission to take up gainful employment.
Faster acquisition of a settlement permit:
You can apply for a permanent settlement permit after 21 months of highly-qualified employment in Germany, if your knowledge of German is at B1 level.
Costs for the EU Blue Card:
The costs for a EU Blue Card application in Germany is 140 Euros.
If you fulfil the above mentioned pre-requisites, CareME2 can facilitate the necessary steps for you to obtain the EU Blue Card residency.
Read also our blog post about the EU Blue Card here.
I want to bring my Family to Germany, what options do I have?
Both the spouse of the employed person and his/her minor children may apply for a visa for the purpose of family reunification.
The applications can already be made when the skilled worker applies for his/her visa.
It is important that the livelihood and sufficient living space for the whole family is secured without support from the German state.
The spouse is expected to acquire and present a language certificate of the lowest level A1, when applying for a visa.
There are exceptions to this requirement, for example if the specialist fulfils the requirements for the EU Blue Card which would bring along various benefits (see previous question and answer about the EU Blue Card).
Applications for spouse and minor children can also be submitted at a later date. In this case, proof of the skilled worker's employment in Germany, secure living, housing and language skills must be typically submitted as well.
Read more about the reunification with children in our blog post here.
How much do physicians earn in German hospitals?
You can read about the compensation of physicians in German hospitals and how the existing wage agreements precisely define the paygrade categories in our detailed blog post here.
Below a condensed overview from our blog:
The wages (as of 2020) range as follows (with municipal hospitals towards the lower end, private hospital groups towards the higher end and university hospitals usually falling somewhere in-between):
Monthly wage for a Resident / Assistant Physician (‘Assistenzarzt’) in Germany:
A Resident Physician’s monthly wage in his first year would range from around 4600 Euros to 5100 Euros per month (going up to 5900 Euros – 6280 Euros in the 6th year).
Monthly wage for a Specialist (‘Facharzt’) in Germany:
For a Specialist, the monthly amount ranges from approximately 6070 Euros - 6580 Euros in the first year and can go as high as 7460 Euros - 7970 Euros after several years in this position.
Monthly wage for a Senior Physician (‘Oberarzt’) in Germany:
A Senior Physician in his first year would start with around 7600 Euros - 8400 Euros and with several years of experience, the monthly amount would typically range from 8470 Euros - 8960 Euros.
Monthly wage for a Managing Senior Physician (‘Leitender Oberarzt’) in Germany:
Managing Senior Physicians start with 8950 Euros - 9759 Euros in the first year and could go above 10000 Euros with several years of experience in this position.
Please note that all mentioned amounts are gross (before tax and social security deductions) and vary between municipal- vs. university hospitals and the different private hospital groups (hence the ranges). The wage agreements are typically based on a weekly working time of 40 hours (or 42 hours - ‘TV Ärzte TdL’) - additional on-call services and overtime are paid extra.
How long will the whole process to find work, start working and getting my professional title recognized in Germany take?
It depends on your personal situation and the following factors:
Your starting level of the German language and how soon you enrol to and complete required German language course(s).
The time it takes to complete your Cover Letter and CV before submitting them to potential employers.
How soon your first interview(s) with suitable employer(s) can take place.
The time it takes to receive your first binding job offer(s) or employment contract(s).
How soon all the required documents are available and officially translated (by an authorized translator) into German language (e.g. your birth certificate, graduation certificate, passport, etc.)
The visa application process in your local country
For physicians: How soon after taking up your work in Germany, you can take the Kenntnisprüfung (proficiency exam) and if required the Fachsprachkenntnispruefung (specific medical German language exam).
CareME2 can assist you and provide guidance for all necessary steps.
Since the timing depends on various personal and external factors, we could give you our best estimates after a first discussion and analysis of your personal situation.
Feel free to contact us, for a free consultation on your specific circumstances and explanation of the process steps and expected timelines.
Pricing and terms of payment?
You can contact CareME2 for a first consultation which is always free, as we have to understand your specific profile, preferences and requirements to be able to help you to find a suitable employer in Germany.
After this first meeting, and only if you feel that we are the right agency for you to work with, we can send you a quote, including the terms of payment.
I can not find my specific question answered here…
Feel free to contact us, we will get back to you shortly to address your specific question.