For foreign medical graduates (FMGs) aiming to start a medical PG in Germany, navigating the Approbation process can be complex, especially when medical education and training are completed in multiple countries. Over the course of several weeks, we reached out to multiple LPAs with detailed questions regarding medical qualifications, internships, and licensing requirements for foreign-trained doctors. Their responses, which varied depending on the federal state and specific regulations, were used to compile the insights and guidelines shared in this post.
Understanding the Approbation Process for Foreign Doctors
The Approbation is the medical license required to practice as a doctor in Germany. For doctors trained outside the EU, the process involves having your qualifications reviewed and assessed by the LPA to ensure they meet German standards. Doctors who have studied in countries like China, Russia, or Georgia, and completed their internships or licensing in their home countries, often face unique challenges in this process.
Requirement: Can FMG Doctors Apply for Medical PG in Germany?
In response to inquiries about the necessity of medical licensing, LPAs across Germany confirm that applicants must submit proof of their medical license from the country where they are currently licensed to practice, even if they completed their studies in another country. This is a critical step in the Approbation process.
Email Insight (German Original):
- "Es ist korrekt, dass Sie zur Beantragung einer Approbation in Deutschland die Berufszulassung aus dem Tätigkeitsland vorlegen müssen."
English Translation:
- “It is correct that you must submit the medical license from the countr where you've worked when applying for Approbation in Germany.”
This clarifies that regardless of where you completed your medical degree (e.g., China or Russia), as long as you have obtained your medical license from the country you work as a doctor in (e.g., India), you meet the basic application requirements for Approbation in Germany.
What Are The Challenges for FMG Doctors with Internships Completed in Home Country?
A common scenario for many foreign-trained doctors is completing their internship (PJ) in a different country from where they earned their medical degree. The recognition of this internship is essential for the Approbation process. According to LPAs, if the internship is completed in a country different from where the degree was earned, it must be recognized by the country of study.
Email Insight (German Original):
- "Wenn das Praktikum in einem anderen Staat als dem Studienland absolviert wurde, muss es von dem Land, in dem das Studium abgeschlossen wurde, anerkannt werden."
English Translation:
- "If the internship was completed in a country different from the country of study, it must be recognized by the country where the degree was obtained."
If the internship is not recognized, applicants may need to complete additional training in Germany or even have to repeat their internship training in the country of study.
Options for Proceeding with Kenntnisprüfung Instead of Equivalence Check
In some cases, foreign doctors may choose to waive the equivalence check (Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung) and proceed directly to the Kenntnisprüfung or knowledge exam in Germany to avoid delays and costs. This allows the applicant to demonstrate their knowledge and skills directly through an exam.
Email Insight (German Original):
- "Sie haben die Möglichkeit, auf die Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung zu verzichten und sich direkt zur Kenntnisprüfung anzumelden."
English Translation:
- "You have the option to waive the equivalence check and register directly for the Kenntnisprüfung."
This approach can be beneficial for doctors who want to fast-track their application, but it requires thorough preparation, as the exam is comprehensive and ensures that your knowledge matches German medical standards.
What If Internship or Medical License of a FMG Doctor Isn’t Recognized In Germany?
If your medical degree or internship was completed in one country (e.g., Russia), and you obtained your medical license in another (e.g., India), the LPA will investigate whether the internship is recognized in the country where you studied. If it is not, this could delay the Approbation process and may require further steps such as additional training or even repeating the internship in the country of study.
Email Insight (German Original):
- "Wenn das Praktikum in einem anderen Staat absolviert wurde, wird geprüft, ob es von dem Studienland anerkannt wurde. Ist dies nicht der Fall, sind zusätzliche Schritte erforderlich."
English Translation:
- "If the internship was completed in another country, the authorities will verify whether it was recognized by the country of study. If not, additional steps are required."
This is a crucial point as many FMG doctors have this doubt.. Your internship from your home country (eg., India) will be checked if it is equivalent and recognized by the country of study (eg., China, Russia or Philippines). This test is called Assessment of Qualifications.
Where To Get Assessment of Qualifications Before Applying For Medical PG in Germany?
You have two ways-
1. Official way- You start learning German, translate and notorize your documents, then send them by post to Germany in the state of your choosing. Now you wait. The process of recognition of medical qualifications is called Anerkennung. Typical waiting times range from 4-12 months.
Total cost= €2500 (German lessons) + €2000 (translations and notorisation + €500 (postal charges to Germany) = circa €5000
Total time= 4-12 months
And then, if you get a negative answer, you have lost €5000 and wasted 1 whole year of your life.
There has to be a better way, right?
2. Better way- You can send us your documents. All the documents you have from your home country, from your study country, translated, un-translated. We will assess them for you.
Total cost= €150
Total time= 1 month
Now, you can proceed with peace of mind and confidence, if the result is positive.
If the result is negative, atleast you know within 1 month, and you can now invest your time and energy in another direction. Way better than waiting 1 year for an answer, don't you think?
Completion Of Medical Qualifications Before Applying for Medical PG in Germany- "Abgeschlossenheit"
One of the main challenges faced by foreign doctors is when their medical education and internship span different countries, leading to issues in the recognition of their qualifications. In many cases, the practical training completed in one country is not recognized by another, which can complicate the Approbation process.
Email Insight (German Original):
- "Anerkennungsfähig sind in Deutschland ausschließlich abgeschlossene Ausbildungen. Diese müssen entweder in dem Land, in dem das Studium begonnen wurde, abgeschlossen oder von diesem anerkannt werden."
English Translation:
- "Only completed education is recognized in Germany. It must either be completed in the country where the studies began or recognized by that country."
This underscores the importance of ensuring that all components of your education and training are recognized by the relevant authorities in your country of study, as this is critical for success in the Approbation process.
Doctor = MBBS + Internship + Medical License.
Your medical qualifications are seen and evaluated as a whole during the process of Anerkennung. Only a completed education or abgeschlossene Studium is allowed to proceed with the Approbation procedure when applying for medical PG in Germany.
Should FMG Doctors Apply for Medical PG in Germany?
For doctors who completed different phases of their medical education and training in multiple countries, the Approbation process can be complex, but it is still achievable with the right preparation. The key steps to starting a medical PG in Germany involve ensuring that all qualifications are recognized, understanding the requirements for Kenntnisprüfung, and providing the necessary documentation from both the country of study and the home country where licensing was obtained.
Final Email Insight (German Original):
- "Die Berufszulassung in einem anderen Land kann die fehlende praktische Phase oder die fehlenden staatlichen Prüfungen nicht ersetzen."
English Translation:
- "The medical license obtained in another country cannot replace the missing practical phase or state exams required in the country of study."
This means that even if you obtain a medical license in your home country after completing your degree and internship in different countries, it does not guarantee recognition in Germany.
But you can at least apply. This is because the payout to you getting through and succeeding in starting a medical PG in Germany is pretty high. World-class institutes, high doctor salary in Germany, and life in Europe. What's not to like? Each case is reviewed individually by the LPA, and significant differences in training may require additional qualifications.
DISCLAIMER
This blog post is intended to provide general guidance for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) interested in practicing medicine in Germany. For further clarifications, we strongly recommend contacting the LPA in the state where you plan to apply or referring to official resources such as the German Medical Association.
To protect the privacy of individuals involved, the identities of the LPA representatives have been kept confidential, and no sensitive personal information has been disclosed.
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