Approbation for doctors from non-EU countries, the EEA and Switzerland – and what's different from the EU
If you're researching the path to obtaining the Approbation in Germany, you've probably come across a term that often causes confusion: Drittstaat (third country). Understanding exactly what it means is essential, because it determines which recognition procedure applies to you – and the requirements differ substantially.
What "Drittstaat" actually means
"Drittstaat" doesn't simply mean "non-EU country." The official definition is more precise: a country is considered a Drittstaat if it belongs neither to the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), nor Switzerland.
This means:
If you completed your degree in an EU country (such as Italy), you do not fall into the Drittstaat category.
Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein (EEA) and Switzerland are not considered Drittstaat, even though they aren't EU member states.
All other countries – from the United States to post-Brexit United Kingdom, to Egypt, India, Syria or Russia – are considered Drittstaat.
Why this distinction matters so much
The path to obtaining the Approbation changes substantially depending on which category you fall into:
Training from the EU/EEA/Switzerland: recognition of the professional qualification generally follows a simplified procedure, based on the principle of mutual recognition between member states.
Training from a Drittstaat: the procedure involves a genuine equivalence assessment (Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung). The competent authority compares your training with German training and checks for "substantial differences" (wesentliche Unterschiede). If such differences exist and cannot be offset through professional experience or further training, you will need to take the Kenntnisprüfung, an oral-practical exam modeled on the German state medical exam.
In both cases, however, one requirement remains common and non-negotiable: demonstrating adequate language skills, including the Fachsprachprüfung/FSP at C1 level in the medical field.
Document translation: a step often underestimated
Whether you're coming from an EU country or a Drittstaat, a significant part of the file you'll need to submit to the competent authority (for example, the Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales in Berlin) requires certified translations of:
your degree certificate and exam transcripts
certificate of good standing
criminal record certificate
doctoral certificate, if applicable
Errors or inaccuracies at this stage can delay the process by months – which is why it's always advisable to work with a sworn translator authorized for German courts and authorities.
How we can help
At RevolingoMed, we support you on two complementary fronts of your journey toward the Approbation:
🩺 FSP/Fachsprachprüfung preparation, with realistic simulations of all three exam stages (medical history taking, case presentation, medical documentation)
📄 Certified translation of the documents required for your Approbation application
👉 Explore individual FSP lessons 👉 Explore FSP group courses 👉 Certified translation of Approbation documents
This article is for informational purposes only. Recognition procedures may vary by federal state (Bundesland). We always recommend checking current information with the relevant medical board (Ärztekammer) or authority in the state where you intend to work.
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