Applying for a licence to practise as a veterinarian from a third country

In order to work as a veterinarian in Germany without any restrictions, you need a licence to practise.

The licence to practise is the state authorisation for the profession. It is necessary because the profession is regulated in Germany. This means that you are not allowed to work independently as a vet without a licence to practise.

Veterinarians who have completed their studies abroad (third country) can apply for unrestricted authorisation to practise as a veterinarian in Germany - a licence to practise. Third countries are all countries that do not belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

For this, the equivalence of the veterinary training must be proven. For this purpose, knowledge examinations must be passed, which are subject to the general provisions of the Ordinance on the Licensing of Veterinarians (TAppV) of 27 July 2006.

[Translate to English:] Deutschlandkarte
Area of responsibility by university

Requirements

  • Professional qualification as a veterinarian from a third country.
  • Fit to work as a veterinarian.
  • No criminal record.
  • Required German language skills. These are general language skills at least at level B2.

 

 

Procedure

You submit an application for a licence to practise as a veterinarian to the competent authority. The competent authority checks whether your training is equivalent to German training and whether all other requirements are met. The licence can only be granted if your training from a third country is equivalent to German training.

Equivalence assessment

The competent authority compares your foreign professional qualification with the German professional qualification as a veterinarian. The competent authority checks whether your professional qualification is equivalent. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

Possible outcomes of the assessment

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The authority can confirm the result to you in writing. You must still meet the other requirements and prove your language skills. You will then be granted a licence to practise as a veterinarian.

If the competent authority finds significant differences, you can compensate for these differences through your professional experience and other knowledge and skills as a veterinarian. You must provide evidence of your professional experience. Your knowledge and skills must be certified by the competent authority in your country of origin. This confirmation is generally sufficient.

However, it may be that this knowledge is not sufficient. In this case, you cannot compensate for the significant differences. Your foreign professional qualification will then not be recognised.

The competent authority will inform you in writing of the significant differences and why you cannot compensate for them through your professional experience. The decision of the competent authority will also state the level of your training and the level required in Germany. You will then not be allowed to work as a veterinarian. However, the competent authority will offer you the opportunity to take a knowledge test.

Knowledge test

If your professional qualification is not equivalent and you cannot compensate for the differences, you can take a knowledge test. The knowledge test is based on the final examination for veterinarians in Germany. If you pass the knowledge test, you will be granted a licence to practise as a veterinarian. To do so, you must also meet the other requirements and prove your language skills.

These knowledge tests are taken at one of five university locations in Germany. The University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover is responsible for you if you live in Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony or Schleswig-Holstein.

Which authority is responsible for you? That depends on which federal state you live in:

 

Documents required by TiHo Hannover

  • Decision by the competent authority regarding the level of your education and associated requirements
  • Proof of degree from the third country (original and German translation, copies of each)
  • Identity card or passport (copy)
  • Proof of German language skills at least at B2 level
    Note: A list of accepted language certificates can be found here
  • Current registration certificate (not older than three months)
  • Application for guest student status

Application and costs at TiHo Hannover

Please submit your application for guest student status to the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.

The semester fee for guest students is stated on the application form. You will not receive a semester ticket! This cannot be purchased retrospectively either.

Cost per knowledge test: €80.00.