From abroad · Language

Language and the Fachsprachprüfung

No language certificate, no Approbation (German medical licence). The Fachsprachprüfung (medical German language exam) is where most procedures stall. Almost 29 percent of the exams in Baden-Württemberg were recently not passed.

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Requirements

Two certificates

General German B2

Certificate from a recognised provider (e.g. Goethe, telc, TestDaF, ÖSD). Required for the application to the Regierungspräsidium (regional licensing authority).

Medical German C1

Fachsprachprüfung (medical German language exam) at the Landesärztekammer or Landeszahnärztekammer Baden-Württemberg (state medical or dental chamber). Three parts of about 20 minutes each: physician-patient conversation (history taking), documentation, physician-to-physician conversation (case presentation).

Preparation

What has worked well

  • Start early. Take the language course alongside the application, not after it. Recognition takes time anyway; the language should be ready by then.
  • Medical German courses instead of general C1 courses: history taking, patient information, handover, physician's letter.
  • Observership or Berufserlaubnis (temporary permit) at a hospital gives you everyday language and routine. We help you find a hospital that offers observerships.
  • Simulate the exam. At least five complete run-throughs with feedback before you register.
Common mistakes

Too little time for documentation, language with patients that is too technical, technical terms with colleagues that are too lay, registering before B2 is truly secure.

Source for the failure rate: Landtag BW Drs. 17/8037 (exams 2016 to 2024). As of October 2026, without guarantee.