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An offer from the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

Information portal of the German government
for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications

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Your recognition procedure as Doctor of medicine (m/f)
in Köln, North Rhine-Westphalia

  • The profession of Doctor of medicine (m/f) is regulated in Germany.
  • Recognition of your professional qualification is necessary for you to be able to work in the profession in Germany.
  • Recognition has many advantages.

The competent authority

Bezirksregierung Münster

Domplatz 1-3
48143 Münster

View on Google Maps

+49 251 411 2400

E-Mail

    • Website

    Your contact

    Zentrale Anerkennungsstelle für approbierte Heilberufe (ZAG-aH)

    Dezernat 24 - Approbationen und Berufserlaubnisse

    Quick-Info

    This procedure is called: Issuing of Approbation (in German: Erteilung der Approbation).

    Please note: Approbation is the unrestricted authorisation to practise a medical profession for which an academic qualification is required.

    • You require knowledge of German at level B2 of the Common European Reference Framework for languages.
    • You are also usually required to complete the specialist language examination at level C1. There are some exceptions: then you might not need to take the specialist language examination. The specialist language examination is taken at the Chamber of Physicians of North Rhine (in German: Ärztekammer Nordrhein) or at the Chamber of Physicians of Westphalia-Lippe (in German: Ärztekammer Westfalen-Lippe). The competent authority will inform you.
    • You are not required to provide a language certificate when applying. You can provide evidence of knowledge of German at a later point in time.
    • One month at the latest following receipt of your application by the competent authority: The competent authority will notify you of receipt of the documents. They will inform you if documents are missing. The procedure begins when the documents are complete.
    • After 4 months at the latest you will receive notice containing the result. In specific cases the competent authority may extend the procedure.

    Documents for my application

    For the online application, you need the documents as PDF files. You can scan or photograph your documents for this purpose.

    • Proof of identity (e.g. passport or personal identification) and a German translation

    • Birth certificate or extract from the family register and a German translation

    • Marriage certificate (if your name has changed through marriage) and a German translation

    • Curriculum vitae in German

    • Evidence of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, certificate of entitlement) and a German translation

    • Evidence of the content and duration of your training (e.g. diploma supplement, transcript of records) and a German translation

    • If applicable: evidence of your practical training. You also need a German translation.

    • Evidence of your professional experience in this profession (e.g. employment references) and a German translation

    • Evidence of your other qualifications (e.g. continuing vocational training, seminars) and a German translation

    • Evidence of your knowledge of German: language certificate in German. You can also submit this document later by post or in person.

    • You have to prove: You are allowed to work in the profession in your country of training. You also need a German translation.

    • Intention to start work: You may have to prove that you want to work in Germany.

    • Information about an application for recognition already submitted. In this case, state to which authority you applied. If you already have a notice: Upload the notice in the online application.

    • If applicable: Proof that your professional qualification has already been recognised in another member state of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland. In this case, you also need a German translation.

    In most cases these documents are submitted later. The competent authority will inform you as to when you should submit the documents.

    • Evidence of your personal aptitude: Certificate of good conduct from your country of origin (e.g. criminal record extract). You also need a German translation. You can also submit the document later. The document must be no more than 3 months old when the application is submitted.
    • Evidence of certificate of good standing from the country in which you have most recently worked. You also need a German translation. You can also submit the document later. The document must be no more than 3 months old when the application is submitted.
    • Evidence of your medical fitness: doctor's certificate from Germany or from a consultant doctor at the German Embassy. You also need a German translation. You can also submit the document later. The document must be no more than 3 months old when the application is submitted.

    For the online application, you need the documents as PDF files. You can scan or photograph your documents for this purpose. Most of the documents you will have to submit later additionally in paper form as a certified copy. You can send the documents by post or hand them in personally. You do not need to submit a certified copy of documents that you have created personally. A personally created document is e.g. your curriculum vitae or a written statement.

    If a certificate is not in German, you usually need a German translation. Sworn or authorised translators must prepare the translations.

    Personally created documents do not have to be translated by sworn or authorised translators. In this case, a simple translation is enough. A personally created document is e.g. your curriculum vitae.

    You need officially certified copies of your documents. With an official certification, an authority or a notary confirms that a copy matches the original.

    My steps to recognition

    You may also apply if you are not yet living in Germany.

    • You can submit your application online. You will then leave our information page. For your application, you need to upload your documents. A tip: Collect your documents first. Then start the application.
    • You can also hand in the application with the documents to the competent authority. You can also send the application to the competent authority by post. Do not send originals! In this case,use the application form. You can find the application form here.

    The competent authority receives the application. After one month at the latest, it will confirm that the application has arrived. Once the competent authority has received all the documents from you, it processes your application.

    The competent authority carries out an equivalence assessment: It compares your professional qualification with the German professional qualification. Therefore, the competent authority will prepare an expert report on equivalence. As part of this, the competent authority takes into account your professional experience and other qualifications.

    You can also take a knowledge test. In this case, the competent authority does not prepare an expert report on equivalence.

    The competent authority then checks other requirements for use of the professional title. This includes, e.g. your personal aptitude, your medical fitness and your knowledge of German.

    The procedure takes a maximum of 4 months. In specific cases the competent authority may extend the procedure. At the end, the competent authority sends you a notice containing the result.

    Following your application for recognition, the competent authority can register you for the specialist language examination. The Chamber of Physicians of North Rhine-Westphalia (in German: Ärztekammer Nordrhein-Westfalen) or the Chamber of Physicians of Westphalia-Lippe (in German: Ärztekammer Westfalen-Lippe) is responsible for the specialist language examination.

    Outcome: Recognition

    Your professional qualification and the German professional qualification are equivalent. You receive the approbation. You receive a certificate for this. You also meet all further requirements. Your professional qualification is recognised.

    Professionally you have the same rights as a person with the German professional qualification.

    Outcome: No recognition because the professional qualification is not equivalent.

    The expert report on equivalence showed: There are substantial differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification. You are not able to compensate for these differences with your professional experience and other knowledge of the profession. Your professional qualification is therefore not equivalent to the German professional qualification. Or you have not passed the knowledge test.

    Your professional qualification is not recognised. You do not receive approbation.

    In most cases you are able to complete a compensation measure. This allows you to compensate for the substantial differences.

    Outcome: No recognition because you do not meet all the requirements.

    Your professional qualification is equivalent. However, you do not meet all other requirements for the granting of approbation (licence to practise medicine). You may still need to provide evidence that you e.g. are personally apt or have knowledge of German. The competent authority will inform you of which evidence is missing.

    You are able to take legal action against the decision of the competent authority. Details on this procedure can be found in the legal redress advice (in German: Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung) at the end of your notice. We recommend that you speak to a counselling centre first before challenging the decision or taking legal action.

    Knowledge test as a compensation measure

    If your professional qualification is not equivalent, you can take a knowledge test. A knowledge test allows you to compensate for substantial differences. Substantial differences are listed in your notice.

    If you successfully complete the compensation measure, you receive a certificate. You submit this certificate to the competent authority. The competent authority checks the certificate and all other requirements (e.g. personal aptitude or medical fitness). If you meet all requirements, your professional qualification is recognised. You receive the approbation. Professionally, you then have the same rights as a person with the German professional qualification.

    Do you come from a third country? You are permitted to enter Germany for a compensation measure. Please seek advice if you have questions, or find out more about entry e.g. via the hotline Working and Living in Germany.

    Counselling

    If you do not meet all requirements, you can find out from the competent authority about the options available to you. Were you not able e.g. to provide evidence of your personal aptitude or your knowledge of German? The competent authority can help you with this.

    My other options

    Authorisation to practise a profession

    Did you complete your professional qualification in the third country? If so, you are able to work for a limited period without approbation. For this, you are able to apply for the so-called authorisation to practise a profession. Authorisation to practise a profession permits you to work under the supervision of a person with approbation. You may then only be permitted to carry out activities in a specific area of work. You need to meet the following requirements for authorisation to practise a profession:

    You can apply for authorisation to practise a profession from the competent authority.

    You may also be able to use the authorisation to practise a profession to prepare for a compensation measure for recognition.

    You can also apply for the authorisation to practise a profession together with the approbation.

    Do you only wish to offer services in Germany occasionally and for short period? In this case you do not generally require recognition. You must meet these requirements:

    • You must be resident of another country of the EU, the EEA or in Switzerland.
    • You must provide evidence of your professional qualification.
    • You must inform or register your activity in writing with the competent authority.

    As an Ethnic German Resettler, you can select between two procedures for vocational recognition:

    • You apply for the procedure described here.
    • You apply for the procedure under Section 10 of the Federal Expellees Act (German: “§10 Bundesvertriebenengesetz, BVFG”).

    You can decide this. Your competent authority will advise you.

    Do you have any questions? Do you need help with the application? Seek advise! You will find your counselling centre one step in advance. In the navigation, click "Counselling offers".

    Further information

    Submit the application online

    last update on: 14.09.2023

    The competent authority

    Bezirksregierung Münster

    Domplatz 1-3
    48143 Münster

    View on Google Maps

    +49 251 411 2400

    E-Mail

    • Website

    Your contact

    Zentrale Anerkennungsstelle für approbierte Heilberufe (ZAG-aH)

    Dezernat 24 - Approbationen und Berufserlaubnisse

    Bezirksregierung Münster

    Your contact

    Zentrale Anerkennungsstelle für approbierte Heilberufe (ZAG-aH)

    Dezernat 24 - Approbationen und Berufserlaubnisse

    Any questions or feedback?

    Do you have a question about the recognition procedure? Or have you noticed any information that could be improved? We're happy to help.

    Success story for your profession

    Pelşin Bars, 33

    Pelşin Bars studied medicine in Turkey. In Turkey there were barely any training places on offer for the speciality of dermatology. This was why she came to Germany in 2016. She received approbation following a knowledge test. Today, Pelşin Bars works as a junior doctor specialising in dermatology.

    Read success story