Your move to Germany, handled end to end.

Berufserlaubnis is a faster, temporary licence to practise. Approbation is the full, permanent German medical licence. Many doctors start with a Berufserlaubnis while working toward full Approbation.

It depends on your route. Doctors need a language certificate, usually B2, plus the Fachsprachprüfung, the professional language exam. For other routes the requirement varies, and we tell you exactly what applies to yours.

The exact process and the required documents for medical recognition vary by German state. It is easy to get wrong without local expertise, and a wrong file costs months.

Within two weeks of moving in. The Anmeldung is the key to almost everything else, from your tax ID to a bank account.

Yes. Everyone living in Germany must have health insurance, and you will need proof of it for your visa.

The German rental market is well-regulated, offering tenants strong legal protections. Rents vary considerably by city — Munich and Frankfurt command premium prices, while Leipzig and Dresden remain far more affordable. Most leases are unfurnished, and a security deposit of up to three months' cold rent is standard.

All employees earning below the threshold are automatically enrolled in statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung), which covers doctors, hospitals, and most prescriptions. Higher earners and the self-employed can opt for private insurance. Family members without their own income can be added to the policy free of charge.

Germany is moderately priced compared to other Western European countries. Groceries and dining out are affordable, and public transport passes (including the national Deutschlandticket) keep commuting costs low. The main expense for most expats is rent, particularly in Munich, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart.

Germany's public transport network is one of the most extensive in Europe, with high-speed ICE trains connecting major cities in under three hours. Urban centres are served by S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, and buses. Cycling infrastructure is excellent, and a car is generally unnecessary in most city locations.