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Veterinarian; application for a license to practice medicine in the case of training in a third country

Veterinarians can apply for a license to practice if they have completed their veterinary training outside of an EU member state, an EEA member state or Switzerland and wish to practice veterinary medicine in Bavaria.

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Anyone wishing to work as a veterinarian in Germany after studying veterinary medicine requires a special professional license - the Approbation.

The government of Upper Bavaria issues the license to practice if the training was completed outside a member state of the European Union (EU) or another state party to the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and the profession is to be practiced in Bavaria.

Approval is subject to various requirements relating to successful completion of studies, personal and health suitability for practicing the profession and sufficient German language skills.

Applicants who have completed their training outside the European Union and the European Economic Area can only be granted a license to practice if they have an equivalent level of training, provided that all other requirements are met.

If the equivalence of the level of training is not given or can only be determined with unreasonable time or material effort, an equivalent level of knowledge must be demonstrated. This proof is provided by passing a knowledge test that covers the content of the veterinary examination.

  • Birth certificate/parentage certificate or extract from the parents' family register
    (certified copy)
  • if the name used differs from that on the birth certificate: proof of a change of name (e.g. marriage certificate)
    (certified copy)
  • valid proof of identity (e.g. passport)
    (certified copy)
  • complete and personally signed curriculum vitae

    (tabular and chronological list of the training courses completed and the relevant gainful activities pursued, stating the periods (month/year) and enclosing the relevant supporting documents)

  • Proof of impunity
    • Submission of criminal record extracts from all countries outside Germany in which the applicant has resided for more than six months.
    • The criminal record extracts must not be older than three months at the time of submission.
    • Certified copies of these extracts must be submitted.
  • Proof of your completed education (certified copy)
    • Proof of education such as diploma
    • If applicable, further country-specific certificates
    • Overview of subjects completed during studies with number of hours and grades
    • If applicable, proof of compulsory internships completed
  • Proof of authorisation to practise medicine in the country of training and/or the country of origin
    (certified copy)
  • if applicable, certificate of good standing (certified copy)

    (Required from all countries where the health professional activity has already been exercised in the last five years. This certificate must not be older than three months at the time of its presentation).

  • If applicable, evidence of activity in the medical profession (e.g. certificates of employment and further training).
    (original or certified copy)
  • Curriculum/study book, if applicable
    (in original)
  • Proof of required German language skills (certified copy)
    (A certificate from an ALTE-certified language institute at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) must be presented).
  • On separate request:
    • Certificate of good conduct of document type "O
      • If the applicant has already stayed in Germany for more than six months in the past or has had or still has a residence in Germany.
      • In Germany, this must be applied for at the registration office of the place of residence, stating the purpose "Approbation as a veterinary surgeon". The certificate of good conduct is sent directly to the competent authority by the Federal Office of Justice.
      • It must not be older than one month at the time of submission.
    • Medical certificate (original)
      • It must be issued and signed by a general practitioner or internist practising in Germany or another contracting state of the Agreement on the European Economic Area or in Switzerland and bear a practice or clinic stamp. If the practice or clinic stamp is not available in German, a German translation of the stamp is required.
      • It must not be older than three months when presented.

If the equivalence of your level of training or knowledge needs to be checked, you will have to pay between EUR 280 and EUR 500 for the license.

The application for approval is not subject to a time limit.

Administrative court action

Status: 07.03.2025
Editorial responsibility Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Gesundheit, Pflege und Prävention
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