Doctors in Germany: translate until told otherwise
English papers and digital uploads can speed up your German doctor licence application, but translate key documents until your licensing office says no translation is needed.
Ahmed Quteishat
Founder, Klaro
English papers and digital uploads help in Germany. Translate every key medical document until your licensing office confirms otherwise.
The 2026 changes give licensing offices more room to accept English papers. They also support digital applications. They do not remove German translations for every doctor.
English papers are not automatic
Your licensing office decides which papers it reads without a translation. This is the state authority for medical licences. It is not the hospital offering you a job.
A degree certificate in English is easy for an officer to read. Your transcript and internship certificate contain dates, departments, and training details.
Work letters and good standing certificates also contain important details. Hospital stamps, dates, and name changes affect the office decision.
The officer compares your medical training with German training. A missing rotation or unclear stamp delays that comparison.
The office accepts some English certificates without translation. It asks for German translations when the rest of the file needs checking.
What digital application really means
Digital application means sending files through an official portal. Your state must offer that portal. A WhatsApp photo or email to a hospital is not an application.
The portal accepts PDF files at the start. Later, the licensing office can request certified copies or original papers by post.
Digital upload does not remove the language exam for doctors. You still need the papers your state names for your full doctor licence (Approbation).
Translate these papers first
Translate papers that explain your medical education and hospital work. These papers decide whether the office requests more training or a medical knowledge exam.
- Your medical degree certificate and transcript
- Your internship certificate, including departments and dates
- Employment certificates from hospitals or clinics
- Your good standing certificate, if it contains conditions or dates
- Your name-change document, if names differ across papers
Use a translator accepted by the licensing office. Some offices accept translations from your home country. Other offices require a translator sworn in Germany.
Ask one clear question first
Write to the licensing office before paying for translations. Attach a simple list of your papers. Name the language of every document.
Ask: “Can I submit my English degree certificate without a German translation?” Ask the same question for your transcript, internship certificate, and work certificates.
Keep the written reply with your application file. Save the email as a PDF beside your certificates.
What to do now
- Find the licensing office for the German state where you will apply.
- Make PDF scans of every degree, transcript, internship, and work certificate.
- Email the office your list of English papers and save its reply.
- Order German translations for every paper the office names.
- Upload files only through the official portal or method the office gives you.
Stand: 2026-10-02. 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.
Ahmed Quteishat — Founder, Klaro
Ahmed built Klaro after watching how much of a doctor's move to Germany gets lost in paperwork rather than medicine.
