Medical Specialization in Germany – what to expect?
I. Advantages of Medical Specialization in Germany
The shortage of doctors in Germany is high. Therefore, the chances for foreign doctors to specialize there are quite good. But what makes Germany so attractive for foreign doctors?
High level of specialization
Compared to other countries, the level of specialization in Germany is very high, and you have the opportunity to specialize in almost all fields. All clinics, including those in small towns, are equipped with very modern medical devices and offer a wide range of examinations and procedures, additional training, and specialization with top-ranking specialists.
No long wait for a specialization spot
Unlike in Austria or Switzerland, for example, there are no long waiting periods for a specialization spot in Germany. This is because specialization is not only offered in university clinics but also in many different types of clinics, both for emergency medical care and for rehabilitation.
There are different types of clinics in Germany depending on their ownership:
– State clinics – run by the state, city, or federal government.
– Non-profit clinics – run by a non-profit organization, e.g., church organizations.
– Private clinics – those that are privately owned, such as Helios, Asklepios, Ameos, etc.
All three types of clinics offer similar working conditions, and you can complete your specialization in any of them. The more open you are at the beginning to different possibilities, the greater your chances.
Flexibility during specialization
During specialization in Germany, you have the right to change clinics without losing time from your specialization.
Moreover, you can also change your specialty. Up to 1 year spent in one specialty is recognized for almost all other specialties.
No exams required for obtaining a specialization spot
Unlike some other countries, in Germany, you do not need to take equivalency or other exams in medicine if you want to specialize in a specific field. The only exams you need to pass are language exams – in general and medical German at the C1 level.
The pay is equally high, regardless of the clinic, and you receive a salary from the first day of your specialization
From the first day of your specialization, you receive an employment contract with a basic salary and payment of all insurances. The salary starts from a minimum of 5,200 € gross (for a 40-hour workweek) in the first year of specialization and increases with each subsequent year. This corresponds to a net salary of around 3,300 € (the net salary, of course, depends on many individual factors, such as whether you are married or have children). After a few months, when you start taking on shifts, you receive additional pay for them. The attached table shows the current gross salaries of doctors, residents, and specialists in state clinics according to years of experience. In other clinics (private and non-profit), the salaries are also close to these.
Here you can see the salaries of residents according to the most common collective agreement in Germany (that of state clinics):
Resident 1st year: 5,288.32 € gross basic salary without shifts
Resident 2nd year: 5,588.11 € gross basic salary without shifts
Resident 3rd year: 5,802.19 € gross basic salary without shifts
Resident 4th year: 6,173.28 € gross basic salary without shifts
Resident 5th year: 6,615.77 € gross basic salary without shifts
Resident 6th year: 6,797.77 € gross basic salary without shifts
Employees in Germany are well protected by law
Protection from termination of contract
German law highly protects employees. For example, after the probationary period (the first 6 months after starting a new job), the employer cannot terminate your employment contract prematurely unless there is a valid reason and prior notice. Valid reasons allowing contract termination are extremely limited and regulated by law.
Maternity leave
In Germany, you receive paid maternity leave (so-called Mutterschutz) for a total of 14 weeks – up to 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth. During maternity leave, you receive 100% of your salary.
In addition, you are entitled to so-called “parental leave” for up to 2 years per child. During this time, the employer is obliged to keep your job, and you have the security of returning to work after this “parental leave,” known as Elternzeit. Both parents of a child are entitled to parental leave. This applies regardless of whether the other parent is also on parental leave at the same time. This regulation does not only apply to the biological parents of the child but also covers various family situations.
During parental leave, you will not receive a salary from your employer. However, you can apply for parental allowance. This is financial assistance from the state that compensates you if you temporarily work less or do not work at all during parental leave. The amount you receive can be up to 65% of your basic salary.
II. Conditions for Starting Medical Specialization in Germany
To be admitted to a medical specialization in Germany, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Completed medical education
2. Clean professional and criminal record (no penalties imposed)
3. Clean medical record (absence of diseases preventing the practice of the medical profession)
4. High proficiency in general and medical German at the C1 level (proven through specialized exams)
5. Possession of a license to practice medicine in Germany (so-called Approbation)
III. Living Conditions in Germany
Germany is a highly developed country where order and punctuality are of great importance. Advantages of living in Germany include:
1. The German social security system
Germany’s health and social security system is one of the strongest in the world. As an employee, you are fully insured through your employer, and for people who find themselves in difficult financial situations, the state provides substantial support, both financially and through the provision of housing.
2. Good standard of living
Life in Germany is not cheap, but the medical profession is one of the best-paid. Therefore, your salary (even as a resident) will allow you to lead a very good standard of living and afford all the necessities.
We attach an approximate summary of the average living expenses in Germany for one person. These approximate costs are based on data from the Federal Statistical Office in Germany and concern a single household. Of course, for families, some of the costs overlap. Please note that they are highly dependent on the region and individual situation.
Housing (rent or mortgage payment, energy costs, utilities, appliances, etc.): 1,000 € per month
Food and beverages: 402 € per month
Clothing: 100 € per month
Cosmetics and other: 120 € per month
Transport: 300 € per month
Leisure and culture: 250 – 300 € per month
Communications (phone, internet, etc.): 70 € per month
3. Good chances for integration
Germans are very accepting of foreigners, offering various programs and courses, and if you have the desire to live and integrate there, all doors are open to you.
IV. How and Where Can I Learn German?
If you have decided that Germany is the right country for your professional development, learning German at a high level is key to achieving your goal. To assist you in this endeavor, we have gathered some important tips that will help you.
What level of German is necessary to specialize as a doctor in Germany?
To work as a doctor in Germany, you need a certificate in general German for at least B2 level, and in addition, you must pass a medical German exam in Germany at the C1 level. Since the medical German exam requires C1 level general German knowledge, which is also necessary for communication in the clinic when starting work, it is recommended to plan the following stages:
Preparation for C1 level in general German
Taking the C1 general German certificate exam (recommended telc or Goethe)
Preparation for the medical German exam
Taking the medical German exam
This way, you will be able to gradually and optimally prepare both for the exams and for the work and life that await you in Germany.
In addition, good German language skills and having the corresponding certificates will significantly increase your chances of getting a good specialization spot and make your profile more competitive compared to doctors with a lower level of German.
How much time is necessary to learn general German at the C1 level?
This depends largely on the following factors:
How much time can you dedicate to learning German per day/week?
How do you study – independently, with a group course, with a private tutor?
Do you know another foreign language?
Considering these individual factors, you can plan the following for learning German. To cover the individual levels, an average of:
A0 – A1: 60 -100 teaching hours
A1 – A2: 90 – 100 teaching hours
A2 – B1: 130 -150 teaching hours
B1 – B2: 180 – 200 teaching hours
B2 – C1: 150 – 200 teaching hours
Keep in mind that you can cover these teaching hours with a course, private tutor, or self-study.
Group course or individual lessons for general German?
For beginner levels: up to B1, we recommend attending a group course. Since the prices for individual lessons are high, and it is important to establish the general foundations of the language at the beginning, group courses are more suitable for these levels.
At higher language levels, it is extremely important to consider the following factors:
Active speaking practice is important
It is important to correct individual mistakes remaining from previous levels.
Therefore, for levels B1, B2, and C1, preparation with a private tutor, combined with self-study, and optionally in addition with a group course, is recommended.
How much time is necessary to learn medical German?
This also depends greatly on the type of preparation. The medical German exam consists of the following components:
- Taking a patient’s medical history – Anamnese (with an actor)
- Preparing medical documentation (epicrisis)
- Presenting a medical case to the chief physician
Depending on the federal state and the commission, the following components may also be included:
Orally providing information about a certain procedure or operation and obtaining informed consent
Conversation/handing over a patient to another department or clinic
Translation of medical terms
The medical cases are from the fields of General Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Neurology, Orthopedics, and Traumatology.
The diseases included in the exam number over 100.
Preparation requires a high level of general German language skills and mastery of medical terminology, both in Latin terms and terms understandable to the patient.
Good preparation for this exam requires at least 3 months after achieving C1 level in general German.
Additionally, to practice the medical profession in Germany, you need broader knowledge, not just what is required for the exam. These include, for example:
- Communication with patients and relatives
- Communication with colleagues of different ranks
- Rights and duties of doctors in Germany
- Communication with other related institutions
- Ability to react in different critical situations
Therefore, appropriate preparation in medical German, providing you with the best possible start, should include all these components and prepare you for various situations.
To have time to prepare for this, it is recommended to start preparing early – ideally, during your medical studies.
V. How Can Inmed Assist You?
Inmed personal is an agency that assists international doctors in starting their specialized training in Germany. Our exclusive scholarship program provides you with perfect preparation and personal support for a secure and successful start in the German healthcare system. This support includes the following:
1. Comprehensive language preparation
You will receive top-notch language preparation, which includes both group and individual lessons conducted entirely online. This way, you can study flexibly while still pursuing your medical degree or working in your home country. And the best part? All costs, including exam fees for the C1 level German language (Goethe or telc) and the specialized medical language exam (FSP), are fully covered by our scholarship – completely free for you!
2. Comprehensive support
From the very beginning, experienced mentors and coaches will accompany you, helping you every step of the way. We will take care of all administrative tasks, such as certification and translation of your documents, coordination of your diploma recognition (Approbation), finding accommodation, and more. Our scholarship covers all costs related to the recognition of your diploma, including travel and accommodation expenses for the specialized medical language exam in Germany.
3. Attractive job offers
After successfully passing the exams, we guarantee you attractive job offers as a resident doctor in prestigious clinics in Germany. These clinics offer you the perfect environment to start your career, with state-of-the-art facilities and personalized support. And here too, our scholarship covers all travel and accommodation expenses for the interviews, ensuring that your start in Germany is smooth and worry-free.
VI. What Are the Conditions for Applying to Inmed’s Scholarship Program?
You can apply for the Inmed program if:
- You are a medical student in at least the 5th year / graduate / resident / specialist
- You have German language skills at a minimum B1 level (a certificate is not mandatory)
- You have firmly decided on specialization in Germany
Apply Now
Welcome to our #inmedfamily
Moving to Germany is an extremely important and challenging step. No one likes to be alone at such an important moment in their life. Inmedfamily is a substitute for your family in Germany. Here you will meet other doctors and medical students who are going through or have gone through the same path that awaits you. We study together, support each other, and have fun together. Inmedfamily will always provide you with friends you can turn to for advice.
