The questions we hear most.
We were built by doctors who went through the Approbation themselves — and we build for you, the doctor, not for agencies, clinics, or middlemen. Every feature reflects how the process actually works, in plain language.
Your personalised roadmap is tailored to your country of origin, your Bundesland, and your specialisation. You get a secure document vault, automatic deadline reminders, and direct answers to the bureaucratic questions that normally take weeks to untangle — all in one place, completely free.
If you want more — deeper content, stronger personalisation, or direct 1:1 human support — that's what our Premium membership adds. Optional, never required.
Our core services are completely free — a personalised roadmap, a secure document vault, deadline reminders, and everything you need to reach Approbation. If you want more, our Premium membership unlocks deeper content, stronger personalisation, and direct 1:1 human support. The free core stays free, always.
No — you can start at zero German. Your roadmap includes a structured language path: general B2 first, then medical C1 via the Fachsprachprüfung (FSP). Most doctors reach B2 in 6–9 months of focused study. You don't need German to gather documents, get them translated, or submit your application to the Landesprüfungsamt — only to pass the FSP and practise medicine in Germany.
The Fachsprachprüfung (FSP) is a C1-level medical language exam that proves you can communicate with patients and colleagues and document cases in writing. It has three parts: a 20-minute anamnesis with a simulated patient, a doctor-to-doctor handover, and a written medical report. First-attempt pass rates sit around 55–65%.
The two biggest predictors of passing first try are (1) a structured C1-medical prep course built around real exam templates and (2) mock simulations with German-speaking doctors. You can book both through our platform.
We also offer Approlearn — a one-of-a-kind mobile app on the App Store and Google Play, built specifically to prepare you for the Fachsprachprüfung.
Processing times can vary noticeably between Bundesländer — some states are consistently faster than others. But the fastest Bundesland isn't always the best choice: job market, cost of living, and whether the local authority requires the Kenntnisprüfung for your country of origin all matter.
Our free Bundesland calculator matches you to the state with the shortest total time-to-practice for your specific profile.
Want concrete examples tailored to your specialisation and situation? Talk to us — we'll walk you through what to expect in your specific case.
Yes — with a Berufserlaubnis. This is a temporary practice permit (up to 2 years, usually tied to one Bundesland and one employing clinic) that lets you work under supervision while your Approbation is being processed. It's often the fastest way to start earning a German doctor's salary, especially if you already have B2 and a concrete job offer.
The core document set is similar across Bundesländer, though exact requirements vary. You'll typically need: your medical degree diploma and transcript (with certified German translation), a curriculum of study (Studienverlaufsbescheinigung), proof of any post-graduate medical practice, a certificate of good standing from your home country's medical authority (issued within the last 3 months), a valid passport, a CV in German, a police clearance certificate, and proof of German at B2 minimum.
Translations must be done by a sworn translator recognised in Germany. Budget 3–6 weeks for translation turnaround and €800–€1,500 in costs. Missing or incorrectly translated documents are the #1 reason applications get delayed — our free document checklist catches these before you submit.
The Kenntnisprüfung (KP) is an equivalence exam for non-EU doctors whose medical training the Landesprüfungsamt deems not fully equivalent to a German degree. It's a ~60–90 minute oral exam held in German (C1 level) covering internal medicine, surgery, and a third rotating subject such as pharmacology or emergency medicine.
You only need to take the KP if your equivalence check concludes there are 'substantial differences' from the German curriculum — many non-EU graduates skip it entirely, depending on where they trained and which Bundesland reviews the file. First-attempt pass rates hover around 60%. Structured prep with a German-speaking physician is the single biggest predictor of passing.
Approbation is the permanent, unrestricted medical licence valid across all of Germany for life. It lets you practise independently, open a private practice, and work anywhere in the country. Berufserlaubnis is a temporary practice permit (up to 2 years, usually tied to one Bundesland and one employing clinic) that lets you work under supervision while your Approbation is being processed.
For non-EU doctors, the Berufserlaubnis is often the fastest route to start earning — you can apply for it while gathering documents for Approbation and sometimes get it in as little as 6–8 weeks. It doesn't replace Approbation; it bridges the gap. Most doctors use it strategically: work + income + German clinical experience while the longer Approbation process runs in parallel.
Yes. If you hold a work visa, EU Blue Card, or a residence permit tied to your Berufserlaubnis or Approbation, your spouse and minor children can join you through family reunification (Familiennachzug). Your spouse gets full work rights from day one — no restrictions on employer or occupation.
Typical requirements: a marriage certificate (apostilled and translated), proof of sufficient income to support your family, adequate housing, and health insurance for every family member. Spouses usually need to prove A1 German, though exemptions apply for EU citizens and some highly qualified professionals. Children under 16 don't need to prove language skills.
For EU/EEA-trained doctors, your medical degree is automatically recognised under EU Directive 2005/36/EC. The Approbation process typically takes just 2–4 months once your documents are submitted.
For non-EU doctors, expect 8–18 months from submission to approval. Your qualification is assessed for equivalence, you may need to pass the Kenntnisprüfung, and you must pass the FSP (medical C1). Document verification alone takes 3–6 months, and waiting for an FSP slot adds another 1–3 months. Our free roadmap gives you a realistic end-to-end timeline based on your country of origin and specific situation.
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