How foreign specialists get their Facharzt recognised in Germany
The rules of the medical chambers for specialist titles earned abroad, from the model training regulations of 3 July 2026.
Ahmed Quteishat, Assistenzarzt, Innere Medizin (Berlin) · Founder of Klaro
Updated:
In short
A specialist title from abroad is recognised by the medical chamber (Ärztekammer) of the state where you work, and only after you hold a German licence to practise. EU, EEA and Swiss specialist diplomas listed in the EU directive are recognised automatically on application. Titles from other countries go through an equivalence check against the German training; if the chamber finds essential gaps, you prove your knowledge in an exam. Until then you may not use the German Facharzt title.
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Two routes: EU diploma or third country
| Where you trained | What the chamber checks | If there are gaps |
|---|---|---|
| EU, EEA, Switzerland, diploma listed in Directive 2005/36/EC | Nothing more: automatic recognition on application | No exam |
| EU, EEA, Switzerland, diploma not listed | Equivalence with the German training | An aptitude test (Eignungsprüfung) of at least 30 minutes, only on the gaps the chamber names |
| Any other country (third country) | Equivalence with the German training | An exam before the chamber's board, like the German Facharzt exam |
A third country title that another EU state already recognised counts like an EU case when you then worked three years as a specialist in that state and its authority confirms it in writing.
What equivalence means
- The chamber compares your training with the German training for the same title: content and length.
- An essential difference is a skill, knowledge or experience the German title needs and your training lacks.
- For third country titles, training at least one year shorter than the German minimum usually counts as an essential difference. The German minimum is 60 months in most fields and 72 in surgery: see how long the Facharzt training takes.
- Work as a specialist after your training can close the gaps, so send proof of every post you held.
The papers the chamber asks for
- Your Approbation or Berufserlaubnis. The official finder says you need the Approbation; ask your chamber whether a Berufserlaubnis is enough.
- Proof of identity.
- A table of your specialist training and your work since, with dates.
- Officially certified copies of your specialist diploma and of your work and training certificates.
- A written statement whether you applied at another chamber.
- A certified German translation of every paper not in German, by a sworn translator.
The chamber confirms receipt within one month and says what is missing. It must decide within three months of a complete file; when it checks equivalence, one more month to decide on the exam. Fees are set by each chamber.
Working while you wait
Without the recognised title you can still work as a doctor with your Approbation or Berufserlaubnis, usually as a resident (Assistenzarzt), and the chamber can count suitable time in Germany. On 4 November 2026, 6,114 of the 13,576 doctor adverts on Klaro asked for a Facharzt and 2,925 for an Oberarzt. Source: Klaro's monthly report on doctor jobs. See the specialist jobs or the resident jobs.
Questions
Who recognises a foreign Facharzt title in Germany?
The medical chamber (Ärztekammer) of the state where you work or will work. It applies its own training regulations, which mostly follow the model of the Bundesärztekammer.
Do I need the Approbation before I apply for Facharzt recognition?
You need a German licence to practise first. The model rules accept the Approbation or a Berufserlaubnis; the official recognition finder names the Approbation, so ask your chamber which one it wants.
Is a specialist title from the EU recognised automatically?
Yes, when the diploma is listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC. You still have to apply, but there is no equivalence check and no exam.
Do I have to take an exam to get my foreign Facharzt recognised?
Only if the chamber finds essential differences that your work experience does not close. For third country titles the proof is an exam before the chamber's board; for EU titles outside the automatic list it is an aptitude test on the named gaps.
How long does Facharzt recognition take?
The rules give the chamber three months from a complete file to decide, plus one month when it checks equivalence. The time to prepare papers and translations, and any exam, comes on top.
Can I work as a specialist before the recognition?
You can work as a doctor with your licence, but you may not call yourself Facharzt. Many specialists start as residents and apply for recognition in parallel.
Sources
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