Welcome to our inmedGuide to starting your medical residency in Germany!

Germany is a popular choice for international doctors wanting to build their careers here. The journey to residency can feel complicated, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about requirements, steps, and support options to help you kick off your residency successfully.

At inmed personal, we’re here to support you every step of the way on this important journey.

With our inmed personal scholarship program, you can start your medical residency in Germany without any financial stress. We cover your high-quality language and professional training to get you ready for exams and your future workplace. At the end of the program, we’ll help you find a position in a top clinic in Germany. And the best part? You keep your entire salary—no repayments to us.

In our inmed family, you’ll join a strong community of doctors on the same journey. You’re not alone — you’ll have many colleagues to connect with, share experiences, and support each other along the way. Together, we celebrate wins, build valuable connections, and create friendships that make settling into life in Germany easier.

Learn more about the scholarship program.
In this guide, we will cover the key aspects of medical residency in Germany. Here are the topics we will address:

I. Medical Residency in Germany

  • Duration and process of medical residency in Germany
  • Salary as a doctor in Germany
  • Working hours as a doctor in Germany
  • Clinics for medical residency
  • Specialties to start with

II. Requirements for Starting as a Doctor in Germany

  • German Approbation
  • Language requirements
  • Financial resources

III. inmed’s Scholarship Program

  • Content of the program
  • Requirements
  • Application

I. Medical Residency in Germany

Duration and Structure of Medical Residency in Germany:
Medical residency in Germany lasts about 5 to 6 years, depending on the chosen specialty. The process of medical residency is structured according to the training catalog for the respective field. The residency is well-organized. Each specialty has a logbook that documents the required activities and hours. You must record your completed activities in this logbook, which is regularly reviewed and signed by your department head. Additionally, clinics provide training plans and rotations in different departments, giving you clear guidance throughout the residency process and ensuring that all requirements for successful completion are met.

During residency, you are an assistant doctor in training. During this time, you must regularly participate in further training, but you do not have to take exams. Only at the end of the residency do you register with the relevant state medical association for the specialist examination. The medical association checks your logbook and training certificates for completeness and decides whether you are allowed to take the specialist examination. After successfully passing the specialist examination, you will become a specialist in your respective field.

Flexibility:
A significant advantage is the flexibility offered during your residency. You have the opportunity to change clinics or specialties at any time without losing valuable training time. The time spent will be credited. Additionally, in most specialties, up to one year can be credited from other specialties.

Salary as a Doctor in Germany

As a resident doctor, you will earn a gross monthly salary of approximately €5,000 to €5,500 in your first year. With increasing experience, your salary will rise, reaching about €7,000 in the sixth year.

Here is the salary range by year:

Year of Residency Monthly Gross Salary (€)
1st year 5,063 – 5,490
2nd year 5,349 – 5,745
3rd year 5,555 – 5,970
4th year 5,909 – 6,283
5th year 6,332 – 6,785
6th year 6,447 – 6,960

Specialist:
After completing your residency, a specialist earns between €6,800 and €8,500 monthly, depending on experience and the type of hospital (public, private, or non-profit).

Net Salary:
The net salary (after taxes and deductions) is approximately €3,000 to €3,500 per month, depending on your tax class and deductions such as health insurance.

Additional Pay for On-Call Duty:
Doctors earn extra for on-call duties, night shifts, and weekend shifts, which can range from an additional €200 to €500 per month, depending on the frequency of duties.

Overtime:
Overtime is compensated with time off or additional pay, depending on the hospital’s policies. You can often negotiate how your overtime is handled.

This system ensures that your contributions are fairly compensated as you progress through your medical career in Germany.

Working Hours During Medical Residency in Germany

Working hours for resident doctors can vary depending on the type of hospital and medical field. German law limits full-time employment to an average of 48 hours per week over the year, including overtime and on-call duties. However, on some days, there can be more overtime, and the working week can go up to 60 hours.

Types of Hospitals for your medical specialization in Germany

In Germany, there are two main categories of hospitals: acute care hospitals and rehabilitation clinics.

Acute Care Hospitals:
Acute care hospitals focus on treating urgent conditions and emergencies, providing immediate medical attention. These hospitals are further divided into three levels of care, each with different departments and opportunities for specialization:

  • Primary Care Hospitals: These smaller hospitals provide general medical services, such as internal medicine and general surgery. They are ideal for gaining broad experience and are often a good starting point for foreign doctors, as they provide a solid foundation in general practice.
  • Secondary Care Hospitals: These mid-sized hospitals offer specialized services in areas like orthopedics, neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, and gynecology. They are suitable for doctors looking to specialize while still gaining experience in various medical areas.
  • Maximum Care Hospitals: These large, highly specialized hospitals, including university clinics, have a wide range of departments, such as oncology, cardiovascular surgery, and neurosurgery. They are ideal for doctors with prior experience who want to further specialize, but for foreign doctors new to the German healthcare system, these hospitals can be overwhelming due to their size and complexity.

Rehabilitation Clinics:
Rehabilitation clinics offer long-term care and recovery services and are divided into two stages. These clinics may also have specialized departments, particularly in neurology and internal medicine:

  • Early Rehabilitation: Focuses on patients recovering from serious illnesses or injuries, such as strokes or traumatic brain injuries. These clinics provide a structured learning environment and are typically authorized for further medical training.
  • Late Rehabilitation: Focuses on maintaining recovery progress for patients who are already stable. Only some of these clinics are suitable for starting medical residency, depending on the chosen medical field.

Why Smaller Hospitals are Better for Starting Out

For foreign doctors, starting in maximum care hospitals or university clinics is usually not recommended. These institutions are highly specialized and often require extensive prior experience in the German healthcare system. The complex structures and competitive environments can be overwhelming for newcomers.

Smaller hospitals, such as primary and secondary care facilities or early rehabilitation clinics, provide a more supportive environment. They offer a wide range of hands-on experience with manageable patient volumes. You have the chance to rotate through various departments and receive closer supervision, making it easier to adjust to the healthcare system and build a solid foundation for your medical career.

How We Help

We collaborate with all types of hospitals and offer objective assessments to help you find the best place to start your medical residency. Whether you’re looking to specialize in neurology, internal medicine, or another field, we guide you toward the right environment that matches your career goals and personal needs. Whether in a public, private, or non-profit setting, we ensure a smooth transition into your medical career in Germany.

Specialties

Germany offers a wide range of medical specialties, providing doctors with the opportunity to choose a field that aligns with their professional interests and career goals. Many of these specialties are open to beginner doctors who may have recently graduated abroad and have little practical experience. However, some specialties may be more difficult or even impossible to start directly.

Specialties with Good Chances, Regardless of Experience:

  • Internal Medicine
  • General Surgery
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Anesthesiology
  • Neurology
  • General Practice (Family Medicine)
  • Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
  • Psychosomatics
  • Pediatrics

Specialties with Limited Chances for Direct Start:
There are some specialties where it is relatively difficult to secure a position directly, especially if you are a beginner without professional experience in Germany. These include:

  • Dermatology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Radiology
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Laboratory Medicine
  • Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
  • Urology
  • Pathology

The difficulty in these specialties is due to several factors:

  • They are often offered in small, highly specialized clinics.
  • The number of training specialists is quite small, and there is high competition for residency positions.
  • You will be competing with two groups of doctors:
    • Doctors without practical experience but who have studied in Germany.
    • Doctors with practical experience in Germany, regardless of where they studied.

As a result, if you are an international doctor with no German system experience, your profile may be less attractive to clinics for these specialties.

What Can You Do to Improve Your Chances?

If you are interested in a specialty with limited opportunities, here are a few steps you can take to improve your chances:

  1. Start in another specialty: You can begin your residency in a more accessible field, gain 1-2 years of experience, and then apply for a position in your preferred specialty.
  2. Attend additional courses and training: During your residency in a different field, you can attend workshops and courses in your desired specialty. This can make your profile more attractive to clinics when you apply later.

The good news is that in most cases, up to one year of experience in a different specialty can be credited toward your desired specialty after you switch. Even if you spend more time in the initial specialty, this time can be seen as valuable training that improves your chances for the future.

II. Requirements for Starting as a Doctor in Germany

The Approbation

To work as a doctor in Germany, you need the German Approbation. This is the official license that allows you to practice medicine and is a prerequisite for your residency. To apply for the Approbation, you must have completed a medical degree.

The process of obtaining the Approbation brings some challenges. You need to collect a lot of documents and submit them in the correct format. It is important to choose the right federal state, as each state has its own rules.

Small mistakes in the documents can lead to long delays or even a rejection of your application. Professional support can help you prepare everything correctly and successfully submit your application. We are here to support you throughout this entire process, ensuring that you receive your Approbation quickly and smoothly.

Language Requirements

To obtain the German Approbation, you must demonstrate the following language skills:

  • B2 level in general language: This can be proven through a certificate from an accredited institution, preferably from Goethe or telc. You can take this exam in any country where one of these institutions is represented. Note that some federal states in Germany have restrictions, and the certificates must be no older than 3 or 5 years.
  • C1 level in medical language: For this, you need to take the medical language examination.

The medical language examination takes place in Germany and is either conducted live in front of an examination board or digitally on a computer, with examiners joining via video. The examination reflects practical situations from everyday medical practice, and the content of the exam can vary depending on the federal state.

Examination Components:

  • Doctor-Patient Communication (oral):
    • Anamnesis Discussion: You conduct a conversation with a patient to collect medical history and important information.
    • Patient Information: In this part, you explain to a patient the course of treatment or the risks of a procedure (this part is only included in some federal states).
  • Doctor-Doctor Communication:
    • Patient Presentation: You present a case to the examination board and explain the medical situation of the patient.
  • Medical Documentation:
    • Creation of a Medical Letter: You write a brief medical or discharge letter to document the patient’s information.
  • Vocabulary Test: In some federal states, an additional test is conducted to assess your knowledge of medical terminology.

The medical language examination focuses on your communication skills and expression in medical contexts. Therefore, it is important to prepare thoroughly for it. In our program, you will be optimally prepared for both the medical language examination and the professional everyday life to ensure you can act confidently and competently in your new role.

Now let’s talk about the financial aspects of pursuing your residency in Germany. The process can be costly, and it’s essential to plan your finances carefully. Here’s a breakdown of some of the major expenses you can expect:

  • Language Preparation: Depending on the program, this can cost several thousand euros. For example, a guided online course can cost between 300 and 1000 euros and the medical German courses usually start at 500 € and can get up to several thousands.
  • Exam Fees (B2, C1, FSP): There are also some exam fees ranging from €150 to €650, depending on the exam and location. Goethe B2 or C1 costs between 150 and 300 € depending on the country and the FSP fee is between 300 and 650 € depending on the federal state.
  • Document Certification and Translation: The costs for the certification and translation of your documents, required for the approbation can range from €200 to €1000, depending on the number of documents and whether they are from the EU or outside the EU.
  • Approbation Fees: These range from €200 to €2000, depending on your nationality.
  • Accommodation Costs: Rent can vary between €600 and €1500 per month, depending on the city. And you also usually have to pay a deposit of 3 monthly rents.

Our agency supports you with all these costs. We offer a scholarship, which covers a big part of these cost.

II. Join our inmedfamily and our Scholarship Program

At inmed, we are with you every step of the way:

  • You will receive comprehensive language preparation, including training for B2 and C1 level General and Medical German, to acquire the necessary language skills for passing the exams and working as a doctor in Germany.
  • We support you in obtaining your Approbation, handling the translation and certification of your documents, and guiding you through the entire process until you receive your license to practice medicine.
  • After passing the exams, we will provide you with a suitable working position, ensuring that you start your residency in an institution that values and supports international doctors.
  • We offer comprehensive assistance with housing, registration, and other bureaucratic tasks, making sure your transition to life in Germany is smooth.
  • Even after your placement, we continue to be available for you, ensuring you always have someone to turn to for guidance and advice as you navigate your career in Germany.

What Costs Does the Scholarship Cover?

The inmed-scholarship covers the following costs:

  • All language training costs, including group and individual lessons for the C1 exam and the medical language exam (FSP).
  • Fees related to the Approbation, such as the translation and certification of documents, as well as the official application fees.
  • Travel and accommodation expenses for your FSP exam and job interviews in Germany.

With our scholarship, you can focus entirely on your professional and personal development, knowing that we take care of all the financial and administrative hurdles.

What Are the Requirements?

To participate in our scholarship program, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must have at least B1 level German language skills (no certificate necessary; we conduct a placement test).
  • A commitment to starting your medical residency in Germany through our placement and staying at your assigned hospital for at least 6 months or longer.

How to Apply:

  1. Fill out the application form: Start your journey by completing our application form, and scheduling a call with one of our recruiting experts.
  2. Phone call: A team member will reach out to clarify any questions and provide initial insights into the program.
  3. Receive personalized information: After the call, you’ll receive detailed, personalized information about the next steps via email.
  4. Video interview: If you’re a good fit for the program, we’ll schedule a video interview with one of our experts to discuss your eligibility in detail.
  5. Sign the contract: After the successful interview, we will finalize the contract and officially begin the process to bring your medical career in Germany to life.
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