Almost half of all applications in regulated professions end partially — it is the standard fork, not a catastrophe. The system is built for topping up: the state wants you fully qualified and pays for the road there.
Anerkennung: If Recognised Partially
Partial equivalence is not a no but a map of the missing: the deficit notice names the gaps, an adaptation course or exam closes them. Working is often possible in parallel.
✓ Verified: 15/08/2026
WHAT TO DO
› Details and tips
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Max recommends:
A doctor friend passed the knowledge exam on the second try — he failed the first on medical German, not medicine. Invest in the language course BEFORE the exam, not after failing.
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Lea recommends:
Free IQ counselling before applying saves months: the advisers know the practice of your exact authority and tell you upfront which documents will be missing.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take? ▾
Usually 6–18 months depending on the gaps. The provisional licence lets doctors work and earn during the process — request it immediately.
A full rejection — end of the road? ▾
Objection within a month plus free IQ counselling: properly prepared evidence of work experience is the most common reason a rejection is overturned on objection.
Who pays for the course and the examination? ▾
The Anerkennungszuschuss: 100 to 600 € for the procedure itself and up to 3 000 € per person for the qualification measure. The condition is an annual income below 32 000 € gross, or below 50 000 € for married couples and civil partnerships. Depending on the case the Employment Agency and state programmes pay as well.
What German level do I need? ▾
For the procedure usually B2 (medicine: B2 plus a C1 language exam). Build the language alongside the papers — it becomes the bottleneck more often than the degree.