Individual assessment
Individual assessment; protected legacy exceptions
Apply to the state licensing authority for Approbation or an applicable temporary Berufserlaubnis. Equivalence is assessed and a knowledge test may be required. Specialist qualifications are assessed separately by the state medical chamber. General German B2 and medical-language C1 are typical requirements.
Other professions
Existing recognition remains valid. EU citizens with UK qualifications obtained by 31 December 2020 have an exception identified by the official recognition portal. Other healthcare and veterinary professions need their own competent authority; medical licensing does not cover them.
Automatic or direct recognition describes a particular qualification procedure. Registration, language, scope, supervision, employment and immigration requirements can still apply. A UK licence or job title alone does not settle the route.
Source-led overview checked 28 October 2026. Use the exact award, date and profession when checking the regulator’s rules.
Recognition after BrexitRecognition in Germany — Federal Institute for Vocational Education and TrainingRecognition of training qualifications from outside EU/EEA/SwitzerlandGerman Medical AssociationFour checks before you commit
- Match your exact qualification, award date and professional register to the local route.
- Confirm language, supervision, specialty recognition and any assessment requirements.
- Verify the role, employer, training status and written offer.
- Check work rights, housing and the household budget separately.
Recognition of a qualification is not a licence to start work. Registration, scope, employment, language and work rights need separate confirmation.
Start with your profession
Each card separates a mapped official source from an authority lookup. A medical-registration route must not be applied to another profession.
Doctors
Apply to the state licensing authority for Approbation or an applicable temporary Berufserlaubnis. Equivalence is assessed and a knowledge test may be required. Specialist qualifications are assessed separately by the state medical chamber. General German B2 and medical-language C1 are typical requirements.
Official starting pointRecognition after BrexitRecognition in Germany — Federal Institute for Vocational Education and TrainingExplore this starting pointNurses
Existing recognition remains valid. EU citizens with UK qualifications obtained by 31 December 2020 have an exception identified by the official recognition portal. Other healthcare and veterinary professions need their own competent authority; medical licensing does not cover them.
Official starting pointRecognition after BrexitRecognition in Germany — Federal Institute for Vocational Education and TrainingExplore this starting pointMidwives
Existing recognition remains valid. EU citizens with UK qualifications obtained by 31 December 2020 have an exception identified by the official recognition portal. Other healthcare and veterinary professions need their own competent authority; medical licensing does not cover them.
Official starting pointRecognition after BrexitRecognition in Germany — Federal Institute for Vocational Education and TrainingExplore this starting pointParamedics
Existing recognition remains valid. EU citizens with UK qualifications obtained by 31 December 2020 have an exception identified by the official recognition portal. Other healthcare and veterinary professions need their own competent authority; medical licensing does not cover them.
Official starting pointRecognition after BrexitRecognition in Germany — Federal Institute for Vocational Education and TrainingExplore this starting pointDentists
Existing recognition remains valid. EU citizens with UK qualifications obtained by 31 December 2020 have an exception identified by the official recognition portal. Other healthcare and veterinary professions need their own competent authority; medical licensing does not cover them.
Official starting pointRecognition after BrexitRecognition in Germany — Federal Institute for Vocational Education and TrainingExplore this starting pointPharmacists
Existing recognition remains valid. EU citizens with UK qualifications obtained by 31 December 2020 have an exception identified by the official recognition portal. Other healthcare and veterinary professions need their own competent authority; medical licensing does not cover them.
Official starting pointRecognition after BrexitRecognition in Germany — Federal Institute for Vocational Education and TrainingExplore this starting pointVeterinarians
Existing recognition remains valid. EU citizens with UK qualifications obtained by 31 December 2020 have an exception identified by the official recognition portal. Other healthcare and veterinary professions need their own competent authority; medical licensing does not cover them.
Official starting pointRecognition after BrexitRecognition in Germany — Federal Institute for Vocational Education and TrainingExplore this starting pointPlaces and roles to research
- Berlin
- Hamburg
- Bavaria
- Regional services
Compare the actual role, roster, language and support in your chosen location. Training accreditation and specialist privileges need their own confirmation.
A life that works beyond the job
Build a location-specific budget. Include transport, housing deposits, temporary accommodation and the gap before your first salary. For households, add partner work plans, childcare and school access.
Read the family planning guideOfficial work and immigration sources
Germany: Work and residence informationGermany · public authorityGermany: Official employment starting pointGermany · public authorityOfficial starting links do not confirm live vacancies or an individual entitlement. Follow the authority’s current services and requirements.