"How many years does a medical PG in Germany take?"
"How long will I be away from my family and friends?"
"What will be my salary as a doctor in Germany after MBBS?"
Of course, such questions need an answer to help you plan and decide whether pursuing a medical PG in Germany after MBBS is something you want to do.
Let's answer your questions about a medical PG in Germany here.
Note: Residency is also known as a PG in Asian countries, especially India. This term would be used interchangeably throughout this post.
What is a Medical Residency in Germany?
A medical Residency or PG in Germany is called a "Facharzttitel." A Facharzt is a medical doctor who has completed specialized training or a PG, aka a residency, in a specific medical field after their MBBS.
In Germany, approximately 400,000 doctors have a Facharzttitel. Only those who have completed the multi-year medical PG training and passed the Facharztprüfung (final PG examination) can use "Facharzt."
Why Pursue a Medical Residency in Germany after MBBS?
There are various reasons to explore medical PG in Germany after MBBS.
- You may want to pursue a surgical branch, Dermatology, or Radiology after MBBS, which is nearly impossible without high competition, especially in countries like India and Pakistan.
- You want to afford a luxurious lifestyle by earning a high salary as a Doctor in Europe.
- Or you may want to escape the toxic work environment in your country and achieve an excellent work-life balance.
It is not uncommon for doctors from these countries to look for PG in Germany after MBBS (the PG entrance exam in India, with over 100,000 doctors competing every year).
The Facharzttitel, which one gains after completing a PG in Germany, is not just a prestigious achievement; it is also necessary for doctors to perform certain medical activities. For instance, if you want to be a surgeon and operate on the liver, you need specialization or completed medical PG training in a surgical residency program.
Requirements for Starting a Medical Residency in Germany
International doctors must complete some special requirements to be eligible for a medical PG in Germany.
- You need to complete your MBBS and your 12-month internship before you can start applying.
- It would be best if you then had proof of completing a 12-month clinical rotation called the Internship, Internatur, or Ordinatur.
- Thirdly, and most importantly, you'll need a medical license registration, either from the country you studied in or your home country. This license must have been issued after you took an exam.
Then, you'll be tested on your German language skills with a medical language exam called the FSP. Everybody who studied for their MBBS outside Germany must take this medical language exam. Learn about what is a FSP exam in Germany, necessary for medical residency in Germany here
Finally comes the last exam, during which your competency in making a diagnosis will be checked. This exam is called the knowledge exam or the KP. If you need to take this exam, it will depend upon whether you completed your medical studies or MBBS inside or outside the EU. Students who have completed their MBBS in countries such as Serbia, Ukraine, Russia, the Philippines, or even Kyrgyzstan will, for example, also have to take the knowledge exam.
Once you are through the exams and are allotted the medical license in Germany, called the Approbation, you can officially begin your medical residency in Germany as a foreign doctor.
List of PG Courses after MBBS You Can Start in Germany
In Germany, international doctors have access to a wide range of specialities for medical residency, ranging from anatomical disciplines to surgical fields. Options open for PG courses after MBBS include Surgery, Dermatology and Radiology, to name a few. Let's take a look at how long the medical residency in Germany for various subjects are:
4 Years/ 48 Months
- Biochemie
- Physiologie
- Anatomie
5 Years/ 60 Months
- Family medicine
- Anaesthesiology
- Ophthalmology
- Obstetrics and gynaecology
- E.N.T.
- Dermatology
- Humangenetic
- Pediatrics
- Pediatric und Adolescence psychiatry und -psychotherapy
- Microbiology
- Virology und Infectionsepidemiology
- Nuclearmedicine
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Phoniatrics und Pediatric audiology
- Physical und Rehabilitative Medicine
- Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
- Psychosomatic Medicine und Psychotherapy
- Radiology
- Forensic Medicine
- Radiotherapy
6 Years/ 72 Months
- Transfusionsmedicine
- Urology
- General Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Heart Surgery
- Pediatrics Surgery
- Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery
- Plastics Surgery
- Internal medicine und Angiology
- Internal medicine und Endocrinology und Diabetology
- Internal medicine und Gastroenterology
- Internal medicine und Hematology und Oncology
- Internal medicine und Cardiology
- Internal medicine und Nephrology
- Internal medicine und Pneumology
- Internal medicine
Basically, you have access and opportunity of all medical specialities for medical residency in Germany, even the surgical ones in world class hospitals. All you have to do is obtain an Approbation or a German medical licence, prepare an application, and when invited, go for an interview. Click here to learn more about the Approbation in Germany.
Of course the entire education, the PG, the patient contact, the documentation, EVERYTHING is in the German language so proper preparation is key. You can learn how to start your preparation for the FSP exam and start learning medical German by clicking here.
The Training Process of Medical Residency in Germany
A medical residency in Germany takes place under the supervision of certified specialists at University Clinics or Regional Hospitals run by the Church and other private institutions. The training mainly occurs during clinical practice, adhering to the medical curriculum for residency in Germany aka. Weiterbildungskatalog. It is essential for medical residents or Assistenzärzte to maintain a Logbuch, a documentation booklet, to track their progress and ensure the certification of completed training content.
What is the Salary of Doctor in Germany?
As we saw in the list above, the duration of your Residency or PG in Germany varies widely between 4-6 years During this period, doctors in training/postgraduate doctors aka. Assistenzärzte, earn a monthly salary ranging from 4,850 euros in the first year to 6,340 euros in the final year (as of 2023). The salary is determined by the size of the hospital and the number of overtime hours worked. You can read the detailed blog post about Doctors Salary in Germany and how it can grow over the years with experience by clicking here.
How to Complete the Medical Residency in Germany?
At the conclusion of your Residency in Germany, you must undergo a final PG exam called the Facharztprüfung. Successfully passing this examination will complete your PG training in Germany and grant you the prestigious Facharzttitel, which is essential for establishing a medical practice.
Points to Consider Before Starting a PG Course in Germany after MBBS
- Remember, take time and sit down with family and friends before you jump in to anything.
- Discuss your worry points about learning German, plan your finances well, and find out more about the residency pathway etc. with a specialist or someone with experience.
- Set real expectations- Going in another country is hard. And so is learning a new language well enough to start practicing medicine in. It won't happen in a month. It won't even happen in 12.
Seeking guidance from professionals such as Rohit Batra, who specialise in assisting foreign medical doctors, can be highly beneficial in navigating this complex process, ensuring you stay on your chosen timeline and save your precious energy and time for what truly matters.
Exclusive For High-Achievers: Accelerator Program
Navigating the process of securing a medical residency in Germany can be complex. The team at Rohit Batra Teach is here to provide exceptional support every step of the way. Here’s how we will assist you:
1. Recognition/ Defizitbescheid
- We help you get your foreign medical qualifications recognized by German authorities. This step can be time-consuming with waiting times extending by up to 12 months, if not handled correctly.
2. Visa Application
- Applying for the correct visa (e.g., § 16d Abs. 1 AufenthG for recognition of foreign qualifications) can be challenging. We guide you to ensure your visa application is accepted, allowing you to focus on your residency preparations.
3. German Language
- Mastering medical German language is essential for practising as a foreign doctor in Germany. We offer resources and support to help you meet the required language standards, including preparation for medical language exams and organizing Hospitations to gain practical language experience.
4. Residency/ Hospitation Application
- Once your qualifications are recognised and your language requirements are met, we will help you navigate through the application process, from approbation to residency, help you craft a standout application, and prepare for interviews.
Designed for high-performing individuals, our goal is to streamline your journey to securing a medical residency in Germany, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your career development.
"Here we support the next generation of foreign medical doctors start a medical residency in Germany. Discover our customised programs designed to accelerate your path to a German medical residency program. Start your journey today!"
Stay in touch 🫶
