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German Residence Permit for Doctors
In recent years awareness has arose of how deeply understaffed the German healthcare system is. As a consequence, efforts have been made to attract more doctors from abroad to move to Germany. There is a real desire to facilitate living, residency and working opportunities for non-German doctors.Due to the special requirements involved in qualifying as a doctor, working as a doctor is subject to special conditions laid down by legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions. This profession belongs to the so-called “regulated professions”. Other regulated professions include (but are not limited to): nurses, pharmacists, architects and teachers.
Education and Qualification Recognition
However, education systems vary from country to country. To compensate different levels of professional qualifications, a new recognition procedure for foreign professional qualifications of non-EU citizens as well as EU citizens was introduced in Germany in 2015. On this page we examine the requirements for doctors to avail of residency permits and the process involved in the recognition of qualifications. For further information about how these options refer to your personal situation please contact our legal team using the details below.
Professional Qualification Recognition Procedure
This procedure under § 17a of the German Residence Act (in German: Aufenthaltsgesetz) in conjunction with the Professional Qualification Assessment Act aims to establish equivalence of foreign professional qualifications with a German professional qualifications. This is to ensure that doctors and other professionals have similar qualifications and are thus operating on a relatively level playing field.
In general, chances of having the professional qualification recognized are very high. A recent press release of the Federal Statistic Office (August 2019) showed that in 2017, 21,800 vocational qualifications acquired abroad were recognised nationwide as fully or partially equivalent to a qualification acquired in Germany. The vast majority of successful recognition procedures concerned medical health professionals including doctors.
Application Procedure for Doctors in Detail
In order to begin the recognition process a variety of documents are required. The application can be submitted from abroad or from Germany. The German authorities need proof especially with regard to the completed study schedule and the applicant’s German language skills.
In detail the following documents are required:
- A summary of the completed training courses and the applicant’s professional work experience in German,
- Proof of identity,
- Evidence of formal qualifications acquired abroad,
- Evidence of relevant professional experience or other evidence of formal qualifications, where such evidence is necessary to establish equivalence,
- A statement that no application for a declaration of equivalence has yet been filed.
Which residence permit is applicable is depending on how the professional qualification is assessed:
Option 1:
The applicant’s professional qualification is directly recognized as equivalent. The qualifications are recognized and accepted in Germany.
In this case adaption measures are not necessary. The applicant can apply for a residence permit according to § 19 a German Residence Act – Blue Card or § 18 German Residence Act – for the purpose of employment. The applicant will be able to work in Germany as a doctor, nurse or other professional.
Option 2:
The professional qualification is not seen as equivalent.
In this case adaption measures in the form of a qualification course or an aptitude test need to be taken. The applicant has not been rejected and may still be able to work in Germany as a doctor, nurse, teacher etc. but will require further training or coursework.The applicant fulfills the requirements for a residence permit according to § 17a of the German Residence Act. According to this regulation, a temporary residence permit for up to 18 months will be granted for training measures and subsequent examinations.
There is also the possibility that the professional qualification is recognised, but the applicant’s German language skills are not sufficient. In this case a German language course has to be taken by the applicant.
Practice Group for German Immigration Law
Abschira Kontny
Lawyer
Contact our Practice Group for German Immigration Law
Recognition of your Qualification with Schlun & Elseven
Although the number of recognized foreign professional qualifications is rising, many applicants face difficult obstacles during the application procedure. If you are having difficulties with availing of German residency as a doctor, medical professional or other professional we at Schlun & Elseven are here to help. Our team of highly skilled lawyers specialize in the area of immigration law but have an extensive knowledge of a variety of legal fields. As a multi-disciplinary law firm we have been assisting clients during the recognition of their professional qualifications in Germany for many years. We offer excellent legal service in English as well as German.
If the German legal system is causing you difficulties our lawyers will take care of the entire process. If you have any concerns in this field make sure to contact Schlun & Elseven using the form below. Our lawyers look forward to working with you.
Contact a lawyer about German Immigration and Residency Law
Please use the form to inform us about your concerns in the field of immigration and residency law particularly if you are a doctor, medical professional or in a regulated profession. After receiving your request, we will make a short preliminary assessment on the basis of the information provided and give you a cost estimation. You are then free to decide whether you want to instruct our lawyers for immigration and residency law.
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