Choose your medical licence state in Germany

Choose your licence state by its papers and language rules. Do not choose it from old waiting-time stories online.

A full medical licence (Approbation) lets you work independently in Germany. Your application goes to an office in one federal state.

That office checks your diploma, passport, good-standing paper, medical certificate, and language papers.

A Telegram post may say Berlin was fast last year. That does not help if Berlin needs a paper you cannot get.

A complete file can move forward. One rejected translation can stop the whole file.

Why your state changes the process

Germany has one medical licensing law. Each state runs its own application process.

Berlin uses LAGeSo, the State Office for Health and Social Affairs. Bavaria uses district governments, such as Regierung von Oberbayern.

North Rhine-Westphalia uses several regional authorities (Bezirksregierungen). They handle applications for different cities and districts.

Each office has its own forms, upload system, and paper list. The federal recognition portal helps you find the right office.

• Berlin: apply through LAGeSo when Berlin is responsible.
• Bavaria: apply to the district government for your planned work place.
• North Rhine-Westphalia: your city or district decides the responsible regional authority.
• Schleswig-Holstein: the State Office for Social Services handles medical licence applications.

Do language rules change by state?

Yes. States can use different ways to check medical German. Most ask for B2 general German and C1 medical German.

The medical language exam (Fachsprachprüfung) checks your work language. It usually includes a patient talk, written notes, and a doctor handover.

Read the current page from your exact authority. Some states use the state medical chamber for the exam.

Others accept listed exams or use another route in named cases.

Which papers cause the biggest delays?

Your diploma is often not the main problem. The papers around it can slow everything down.

The office needs proof of your identity, training, work history, and professional record.

Your good-standing certificate must come from the office that gave your licence. A hospital work letter cannot replace it.

Your medical certificate must match the authority's wording and date rules. Use a sworn translator when the authority asks for one.

• Passport and papers showing a name change
• Medical diploma and transcript with subjects and hours
• Internship, house job, or clinical training certificate
• Good-standing certificate from your licensing authority
• Medical certificate and criminal-record papers named by the authority

Can you choose the shortest queue?

No. In many cases, you need a real link to the state. The office may ask why you will live or work there.

You may show a job offer, hospital applications, a planned address, or family. Sending one file to many states can create conflicting applications.

Choose the state where you can prove that link. A Kiel hospital offer points to Schleswig-Holstein.

Hospital applications in Cologne point to North Rhine-Westphalia. A vague wish to move to Munich is weaker proof.

What waiting-time comparisons miss

Waiting information is only a snapshot when an authority publishes it. Missing papers can still stop your file.

The office may wait for a translation, university check, or training assessment. It cannot finish the medical comparison with papers missing.

Ask two simple questions instead. Which office can take your complete file today?

Which medical language exam can you actually take? Your papers and exam date are things you can prepare now.

Choose your state with three papers

Start with a hospital letter, the language page, and the paper checklist. Save those three links in one folder.

Do this before paying for translations or booking an exam. Choose the state where your job search gives a real link.

What to do before applying

1. Use the federal recognition portal to find the right office for your planned work state.
2. Download the current checklist and match each item to a scan.
3. Read the language page and note the accepted B2 certificate and medical exam route.
4. Keep job offers or hospital emails that show your link to the state.
5. Email one clear question if a paper is unclear: "Does my good-standing certificate from [country] meet your current rule?"

Stand: 2026-09-26. This is a guide, not legal advice. Every German state has its own rules, and rules change. Check with your state's [medical chamber (Landesärztekammer)](https://www.bundesaerztekammer.de/aerztekammern) before you act.