German language requirements for medical licensure

What level is required?

The Act speaks only of the knowledge of the German language required for the exercise of the profession. The 87th Conference of Health Ministers specified this on 26 and 27 June 2014 with a position paper: at least B2 in general German, at least C1 in specialist language. The B2 evidence comes from a language certificate; the C1 level is assessed in a specialist language examination. According to the position paper, this consists of three parts of 20 minutes each: a doctor-patient consultation, written documentation, and a doctor-doctor conversation. Assessment is carried out by at least two examiners, of whom half should be physicians. What is assessed is language, not medical specialist knowledge.

How is this regulated under state law?

The resolution of the Conference of Health Ministers is not a law. It is implemented by the states, usually by delegating the examination to the state medical chamber, in some states by the authority itself. This leads to noticeable differences: the fee in Baden-Württemberg is €420 per attempt, in Brandenburg €487. Some states accept certificates from private providers in addition to the chamber examination, others only after consultation with the authority. Exemptions also vary: those who completed a German-language degree, ten years of German-language schooling, or a three-year German-language vocational training are often exempted. Waiting times for an examination date of several months are not uncommon.

What applies to graduates from EU countries?

The language requirement applies regardless of whether the qualification comes from Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Malta, or Serbia. The automatic recognition of the diploma under Article 21 of Directive 2005/36/EC expressly does not extend to language. In some states, such as Hamburg and Hesse, requirements for physicians from the European Economic Area and Switzerland are reduced. Those who completed their Abitur in Germany and then studied in Hungary are usually exempted but must present school transcripts. The only reliable information comes from the licensing authority of the target state, and this can change when moving between states.

Common misconceptions

A C1 certificate from a language institute does not replace the specialist language examination. And a passed language test alone does not lead to the licence. Without it, however, no further progress is possible either.