Doctors

Arnold Personal-Agentur GmbH recruitment

Working as an international doctor in Germany

Demand for well-trained doctors continues to grow. According to “Deutsche Gesundheitsnachrichten”, Germany will be short of 110,000 doctors by 2030. Well-qualified doctors with international qualifications and several years of professional experience therefore have excellent prospects of securing attractive positions at German hospitals. Language proficiency is a key requirement for practising medicine in Germany.

Would you like to work as an international doctor in Germany?

We support you in finding a job and guide you from preparing your entry and visa formalities through the recognition procedure to starting work as a doctor at a German hospital.

Our services

  • Arranging accommodation
  • Providing the necessary specialist language skills
  • Personal support and advice during language courses on all organisational and application matters
  • Help completing your documents for application and recognition procedures
  • Placement in suitable positions at German hospitals
  • Legal advice and support when applying for and obtaining a temporary medical licence or full German medical licensure

Current situation in German hospitals

One in five hospitals in Germany now finds itself barely able to address the shortage of doctors and nurses. One in ten even reports an acute staffing emergency.
This is shown by a survey conducted by market research institute Forsa among 100 managing directors and directors of German hospitals in autumn 2014.

Against this background, Germany has significantly improved the options for recognising professional qualifications obtained abroad, including medical qualifications.
The Federal Recognition Act established a general legal entitlement for the first time to have the equivalence of a foreign professional qualification assessed against the corresponding German reference occupation.

Medical specialties in which we place doctors

  • Surgery, oncology
  • Anaesthesiology, gynaecology
  • Internal medicine and general practice
  • Orthopaedics (including rehabilitation centres)
  • Neurology (including rehabilitation centres)

German medical licensure

Earning potential for doctors in Germany is very attractive:
A resident doctor earns an average of between €55,000 and €60,000 gross per year, equivalent to around €5,500 gross per month. By comparison, an entry-level primary school teacher in Germany earns around €45,000 per month.
Recognition for doctors from third countries (non-EU/EEA countries) Since the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act came into force on 1 April 2012, doctors from third countries have also been able to obtain full German medical licensure. This requires an assessment of the equivalence of the medical degree completed abroad by the competent authority. If equivalence is recognised, full medical licensure is granted without a knowledge examination.

Temporary medical licence

If full equivalence is not established, a temporary medical licence (usually valid for up to two years) may be granted. Since April 2015, both the temporary licence and full medical licensure require proof of passing the Medical German Language Examination (FSP).
The FSP is administered by a panel of three doctors, takes around 60 minutes and is held by the competent district authority. Registration and appointment scheduling generally take 6–8 weeks; results are usually sent by email the following day.
During the two-year period of work under a temporary licence, the knowledge examination may be taken. After it has been passed, full medical licensure is granted.

Requirements for a successful application

  • 3–5 years of professional experience as a doctor
  • German language skills of at least C1 level (general language)
  • Completed C1 German FSP preparation course for medical professionals

Language preparation with DEUTSCH FOR DOCS

We cooperate with the specialist language school Deutsch for Docs, which specialises in medical communication and documentation (patient histories, findings, treatment, medical reports, discharge reports and more). – DEUTSCH FOR DOCS – Medical communication and documentation: Intercultural and language training in preparation for the Specialist Language Examination and for obtaining work permission and/or Approbation.
Link: DEUTSCH FOR DOCS - Information: DEUTSCH FOR DOCS Flyer (PDF)

Job placement

After you have successfully passed the examinations, our agency places you in suitable positions throughout Germany according to your individual preferences.
Benefit from our network of more than 2,000 hospitals and clinics and our comprehensive support throughout the application process:

  • Job interview coaching
  • Advice on contract negotiations
  • Support in dealings with public authorities
  • Coordination of your entry (work visa application)

Required documents

To practise medicine in Germany, you need the following documents (each as a copy and certified translation):

  1. Medical degree certificate
  2. Graduation certificate / transcript
  3. Overview of subjects studied (hours per subject)
  4. Evidence of internships / clinical rotations
  5. Medical licence from your home country
  6. CV (chronological, with no gaps)
  7. Passport (photo page)
  8. Birth certificate
  9. Marriage certificate (if your name has changed)
  10. Employment references
  11. Evidence of continuing professional development
  12. Police clearance certificate from your country of origin (no more than one month old)
  13. German police clearance certificate (original, no more than one month old)
  14. Medical certificate (original, issued by a German doctor, no more than one month old)
  15. Certificate of good standing
  16. Curriculum (programme of study with subject descriptions, original English version or German translation)
Important note

The invoice for the recruitment fee is issued only after you have been hired or successfully started work in Germany.
By arrangement, the invoice amount can be paid in monthly instalments If required, we can also arrange another placement in your preferred specialty or federal state.

Ready for the next step in your career?

Contact us with your full contact details and the type of position you are looking for. Our team will get back to you promptly to arrange a video consultation.

+49 176 70940149
Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
info@arnold-pa.de
We respond promptly
Düstere-Eichen-Weg 58, 37073 Göttingen
Germany