Germany has a serious and growing shortage of doctors, especially in general practice, internal medicine, and rural areas, and it welcomes qualified physicians from abroad. Medicine is a regulated profession, so before you can practise independently, you need an Approbation, the full permanent medical licence.

In short: to migrate to Germany as a doctor, you need recognition of your medical degree leading to Approbation, German at B2 in general use plus C1 medical German, proven by the Fachsprachpruefung, and, for many non-EU doctors, a knowledge test (Kenntnispruefung). You can usually work under supervision on a temporary licence (Berufserlaubnis) while you finish your training.

Can You Work as a Doctor in Germany?

Yes, but you must hold Approbation, the licence to practise medicine. You apply to the responsible authority (Approbationsbehoerde) in the federal state where you want to work. EU and EEA medical degrees are generally recognised directly and usually require only the medical language exam, whereas degrees from other countries are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Step 1: Recognition and Approbation

The authority compares your training with the German medical curriculum (the equivalence assessment). If it is found equivalent, you can move to Approbation. If significant differences are identified, you take the Kenntnisprüfung, a medical knowledge test, to demonstrate equivalent knowledge. The full Approbation process typically takes 12 to 30 months, depending on the state and your documents.

Step 2: German Language - B2 and C1 Medical

You need general German at B2 and medical German at C1, as proven by the Fachsprachprüfung (FSP), the specialist medical language exam usually run by the regional medical chamber (Landesärztekammer). The FSP tests history-taking, doctor-to-doctor handovers, and clinical documentation, and it is mandatory even for EU-trained doctors.

Step 3: The Knowledge Test (Kenntnisprüfung)

If your degree is from outside the EU and is not assessed as fully equivalent, the Kenntnispruefung is the standard route to recognition. It is an oral and practical, case-based exam covering internal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, and pharmacology. Most states allow a limited number of attempts, so prepare thoroughly.

Step 4: Work Under a Temporary Licence (Berufserlaubnis)

Many doctors start earlier on a Berufserlaubnis, a temporary professional permit valid for up to about two years, tied to a specific hospital and a supervising physician. It lets you gain clinical experience and income in Germany while you prepare for the FSP and KKenntnisprüfung, although it does not allow independent practice.

Step 5: Choose Your Visa Route

• Visa for recognition of qualifications (Section 16d): to come and complete your recognition, FSP, or KeKenntnisprüfungn Germany.
• Recognition Partnership: enter with a job offer and an agreement to complete recognition after arrival.
• Skilled Worker visa (Section 18b): the academic skilled worker route, used once you hold full AppapprovalU Blue Card: doctors generally meet the salary threshold comfortably.
• Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): a points-based route to enter and search; you cannot practise until licensed.

What You Can Expect to Earn

Doctors are paid under a tariff (TV-Aerzte). A resident doctor (Assistenzarzt) typically starts at roughly EUR 5,500 gross per month. At the same time, senior physicians (Oberarzt) can earn substantially more, in some cases up to around EUR 12,000 per month with experience and additional duties. After several years, you can complete specialist training (Facharzt) over roughly five to six years.

Documents, Costs, and a Warning on Scams

You will need your medical diploma and transcripts, proof of experience, sworn German translations, identity documents, a certificate of good conduct, and a medical fitness certificate. Exam fees for the FSP orKenntnisprüfungg commonly range from about EUR 390 to EUR 1,100, plus translation and course costs. Legitimate employers and agencies never charge a doctor upfront placement fees; if anyone asks you to pay to be placed, treat it as a likely scam.

Official Sources

Start from make-it-in-germany.de and the Approbationsbehoerde and Landesaerztekammer in your chosen federal state, and always confirm current rules, as procedures and thresholds can change.