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Medical licence (Approbation): the route after the 2026 reform

The law published in the Federal Law Gazette on 28 July 2026 makes the knowledge examination the standard route for non-EU qualifications from 1 November 2026.

Reviewed by: Hazem Ibrahim (M. Sc.) · 2026-09-19 Reviewed

The Approbation is granted by the competent authority of each federal state, which is why procedures and waiting times differ substantially across Germany.

The reform at a glance

PromulgationFederal Law Gazette Part I No. 225 — 28 July 2026
Entry into force1 November 2026, under the law published in the Federal Law Gazette on 28 July 2026.
New standard route (non-EU)direct knowledge examination
Document-based equivalence checkremains available as an option — on explicit request, under the statutory conditions and deadlines

✓ Ministry statement

Examinations by recognition route

Which examinations apply depends on the recognition route for your qualification and on the decision of the competent state authority — not every applicant sits both. The specialist language examination (medical German C1, general B2) is the general language requirement; the knowledge examination becomes the standard route for non-EU qualifications where the document-based equivalence route is not taken and its conditions met.

Verify before you plan

The examination will be detailed later in the licensing regulation and states may adopt different transitional rules. Confirm your individual case in writing with the competent state authority.

Checklist

Contact the competent state authority in writing
Ask about transitional rules
Build medical German to C1

Official sources

Bundesgesetzblatt Teil I Nr. 225 — Act accelerating the recognition of foreign professional qualifications in the health professions (promulgated 28 July 2026)Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt) · 2026-09-19
Bundesgesundheitsministerium — Law page (entry into force 1 November 2026)Federal Ministry of Health · 2026-09-19
Bundesärztekammer — Position of the German Medical AssociationGerman Medical Association · 2026-09-19
Anerkennung in Deutschland — Regulated professionsFederal recognition portal · 2026-09-19

⚖️ Limits of this information — who decides, and what we do not do

The decision rests with the authorities: the competent German mission abroad decides on visas, the federal state recognition authority on equivalence of qualifications, the foreigners authority on residence permits, and the Federal Employment Agency on approval of employment. This article reports what those bodies publish; it does not assess any individual case.

What DokTing does not provide: no legal advice within the meaning of the German Legal Services Act (Rechtsdienstleistungsgesetz), no legal examination of your individual case, no selection of a residence title or legal basis on your behalf, and no representation before embassies or courts. Our service is organisational and administrative; administrative submission takes place only to the agreed extent under a limited power of attorney.

Where to obtain legal advice: from a lawyer specialising in migration law (Fachanwalt für Migrationsrecht), from accredited migration advice services in Germany, or from the competent authority itself. The competent body decides on the application. General information is not automatically a binding assurance; authorised legal advice can assess individual legal questions.

General organisational information — no individual legal advice and no representation in court.

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