For dentists
How to become a dentist in Germany: your path to Approbation
Understand the licence, likely exam route and documents for foreign-trained dentists, then create your free personal roadmap.
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Recognition for dentists: Approbation, Eignungsprüfung and Kenntnisprüfung
Dentistry requires Approbation for unrestricted practice. A temporary Berufserlaubnis can permit limited work before it is granted.
Eligible EU, EEA and Swiss qualifications can be recognised automatically after an application. Other EU qualifications may need an individual comparison and an Eignungsprüfung on substantial differences. Third-country qualifications are assessed for equivalence; a Kenntnisprüfung may be required.
A published 2026 reform is scheduled to make the direct knowledge exam the usual third-country route from 1 November 2026. The competent state authority determines the route for each application.
Documents and German level for the dental Approbation
The competent authority publishes the binding checklist. Expect to prepare:
- Dental degree, transcript and curriculum with practical training details, plus evidence of professional experience where relevant.
- Identity, professional standing, and evidence of personal and medical fitness; check the required age of certificates.
- German at B2 level and usually a C1-level dental Fachsprachprüfung. Ask about accepted certificates and exemptions.
- Translations and certified copies in the authority’s requested format. Do not assume every document needs an apostille.
How long dental recognition takes and what drives the cost
The authority acknowledges the application and checks a complete file. An eligible EU automatic-recognition case can be faster than an individual equivalence review; exam appointments add time.
Allow for authority, translation and exam fees. Ask the state office and dental chamber for current prices and dates.
- Knowledge exam
- Three sections: written, oral, practical.
- Exam retakes
- Two retakes for each failed section.
- Berufserlaubnis
- Normally up to two years; exceptions possible.
Which state office decides the dental Approbation
The competent state authority grants dental Approbation. The Zahnärztekammer commonly handles the professional-language exam.
| Federal state | Approbation authority |
|---|---|
| North Rhine-Westphalia | Bezirksregierung MünsterMünster |
| Bavaria | Regierung von OberbayernMünchen |
| Baden-Württemberg | Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart - Referat 98 - Landesanerkennungsstelle für GesundheitsberufeStuttgart |
Approbation applies nationwide. Check the exact office and chamber for the state where you plan to practise.
Working as a dentist while you wait
A temporary Berufserlaubnis may allow dental work under its stated limits while recognition is pending. Ask the authority before accepting clinical duties.
Observation in a practice is distinct from practising dentistry. A separate recognition partnership may support entry from abroad if its employer and visa conditions are met.
Dentist salary in Germany
The Federal Employment Agency publishes what employed dentists earn. Gross monthly pay of full-time employees, as of 31 December 2025:
| Occupation | Who is counted | Gross per month |
|---|---|---|
| Zahnarzt | Employed dentists and orthodontists, full-time | median €6,152; middle half €4,206 to €7,795 |
The figures include one-off payments and count pay up to the social insurance contribution ceiling. Half of all employees earn more than the median, half less.
Practice owners are not included, and pay varies with employer, region and experience.
Source: Federal Employment Agency, Entgeltatlas, as of 31 December 2025
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