Welcome to our inmedGuide to starting your medical career in Germany!
Germany is a popular choice for international doctors wanting to build their careers here. The journey to medical career in Germany 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 career 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 career 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. Read more about our language program for international doctors.
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 career in Germany. Here are the topics we will address:
- Salary as a doctor in Germany
- Working hours as a doctor in Germany
- Clinics for your medical caree
II. Requirements for Starting as a Doctor in Germany
- German Approbation
- Language requirements
- Recognition of Your Specialist Qualification
- Financial resources
III. inmed’s Scholarship Program
- Content of the program
- Requirements
- Application
I. Medical Career in Germany
Salary as a Doctor in Germany
As a specialist doctor, you will earn a gross monthly salary of approximately €7.000 before taxes in your first year. With increasing experience, your salary will rise, reaching about €9.000 per month.
Net Salary:
The net salary (after taxes and deductions) is approximately €5.000 to €7.000 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 €500 to €1.000 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
Working hours for specialist 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 in Germany 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.
- Late Rehabilitation: Focuses on maintaining recovery progress for patients who are already stable.
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 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 career. Whether you’re looking to specialize in neurology, internal medicine, surgery 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.
Recognition of Your Specialist Qualification
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 or specialist recognition. 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 some federal states, you explain to a patient the course of treatment or the risks of a procedure.
- 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.
Recognition of Your Specialist Qualification
Once you have obtained your Approbation, you can apply for the recognition of your specialist qualification. This is a separate process handled by the State Medical Chamber (Landesärztekammer) of the federal state where you plan to work.
- The recognition process usually takes up to 3 months after obtaining the Approbation.
- During this period, you can either:
- Work as an Assistant Doctor (Assistenzarzt): This allows you to gain experience in the German healthcare system. Once your specialist title is officially recognized, your contract can be upgraded to a specialist (Facharzt) position.
- Wait for full recognition: Some doctors choose to wait for the full recognition before starting their specialist role.
After your specialist qualification is recognized, you can work under the same conditions as German-trained specialists and apply for Facharzt positions in hospitals or private practices.
Financial Considerations
Now let’s talk about the financial aspects of pursuing your career 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: Between €300 and €1000 for general courses, and €500 to several thousand euros for medical German courses.
- Exam Fees (B2, C1, FSP): Goethe B2 or C1 costs between €150 and €300 depending on the country, while the FSP fee is between €300 and €650 depending on the federal state.
- Document Certification and Translation: Costs range from €200 to €1000, depending on the number of documents and whether they are from the EU or outside the EU.
- Approbation Fees: Between €200 and €2000, depending on nationality.
- Accommodation Costs: Rent varies between €600 and €1500 per month, depending on the city. A deposit of three monthly rents is usually required.
Support for Your Recognition Process
Our agency supports you with all these costs. We offer a scholarship that covers a significant part of these expenses, helping you to focus on your professional journey without financial stress.
If you have any further questions or need guidance, feel free to reach out to us. We are here to support you every step of the way!
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. Reed more about our language program here.
- We support you in obtaining your Approbation and the Recognition of Your Specialist Qualification, 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:
- Fill out the application form: Start your journey by completing our application form, and scheduling a call with one of our recruiting experts.
- Phone call: A team member will reach out to clarify any questions and provide initial insights into the program.
- Receive personalized information: After the call, you’ll receive detailed, personalized information about the next steps via email.
- 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.
- 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.