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Apply for a license to practice dentistry with professional qualifications from a third country

Would you like to work as a dentist in Germany? Learn how to have your foreign professional qualifications recognized and obtain your state license (approbation) here.

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Detailed description

To work as a dentist in Germany, you need a state license, the "Approbation" (license to practice dentistry). Only with this license are you permitted to use the professional title and practice in that profession. The license is granted for an unlimited period and is valid throughout the Federal Republic of Germany.


You can also obtain a license to practice medicine in Germany even if you have a professional qualification from a third country. Third countries are all countries that are not part of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland. To obtain a license, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognized.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You want to work as a dentist in Germany.
  • You have a comparable professional qualification from a third country.
  • Their professional qualifications are equivalent.
    • The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification.
  • You are reliable for work and have no criminal record.
  • You can work mentally and physically in the profession.
  • You have German language skills at the required level. This is generally general language skills at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and medical language skills at level C2.

Documents required

  • Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
  • Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
  • CV
  • Proof of training
  • Evidence of the content of your training:
  • List of subjects studied and training hours completed
  • Evidence of your relevant professional experience as a dentist
  • Information on whether you have already applied for a license to practice medicine in Germany
  • Proof that you would like to work in the profession in Germany (e.g. applications, application for an entry visa for employment, personal declaration)

You usually submit these documents later. The responsible office will inform you when you should submit the documents:

  • Criminal record extract or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin (maximum 3 months old)
  • Medical certificate (maximum 3 months old)
    • Language certificate
    • Proof of general German language skills at level B2
    • Proof of knowledge of technical language at level C1

The responsible authority will inform you which documents you must submit as a simple copy, a certified copy or the original.


If your documents are not in German, you must submit German translations of them. These translations must be done by officially appointed or authorized translators.

Please note

There are no special features to consider.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • You submit your application to the responsible authority.
  • The responsible authority will examine your application and request any missing documents or information from you.
  • The responsible body will compare whether your professional qualification is equivalent to the German professional qualification.
    • If the competent authority identifies significant differences, you may be able to compensate for them.
    • You can also forgo an equivalence assessment and take a compensatory measure directly.
  • If your professional qualifications are equivalent or you have been able to compensate for any significant differences, and you meet the other requirements, your foreign professional qualification will be recognized. The responsible authority can confirm the result in writing.
  • You will receive the approval.

Processing time

Individual case dependent

Fees

The costs depend on the effort required for processing.


Additional costs may also arise (e.g., for translations or certifications). These costs vary from case to case.

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

§ 1 law on the practice of dentistry





§§ 83 to 103 licensing regulations for dentists (ZApprO)


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Keywords: License to practice as a dentist Recognition in Germany foreign degree medicine professional recognition Access to occupation recognition procedure Foreign qualification

Last updated: 29.10.2025