Dr. Aparna Bose is a doctor from Kerala. She completed her MBBS at the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences in 2019 and kept working as a doctor while preparing her German on the side. Today she has her recognition paperwork and visa, and is travelling to Germany to become a registered doctor and, later, start her postgraduate residency. She is now on her way to practise medicine in Germany.
Quick answer: To practise medicine in Germany with an Indian MBBS, you need strong German, recognition of your degree, the C1 medical language exam (FSP) for a temporary licence and the knowledge exam (KP) for full Approbation. Specialist training is paid, around €4,000–€5,000 a month. Dr. Aparna Bose kept working as a doctor in India while she learned German.
Why Germany
Aparna looked at the options for her next step and decided on Germany with her family. It was, she says, both her personal choice and her family’s.
Her advice on German
Aparna’s main lesson is about the language, and it is a practical one.
“You have to put in your own effort to complete the German course. If you are not in touch with it, you forget it.”
For working doctors, staying in daily contact with German, even a little every day, is what keeps the levels from slipping between classes and exams.
Her verdict
Asked about the support she received, from the recognition paperwork to her visa, Aparna said the services were satisfactory.
How Indian doctors practise medicine in Germany
For doctors, Germany is a step-by-step path rather than a single exam:
- German first. Doctors need strong German. Most start in India and finish with an intensive course in Germany.
- Recognition. Your MBBS is checked by the German authorities, who set out what you must do to be licensed.
- FSP. The medical language exam. After passing it, doctors receive a two-year temporary licence and can start working in a hospital.
- KP. The knowledge exam, prepared for while working. It can only be attempted three times, so preparation matters.
- Approbation and specialist training. With the full licence, doctors apply directly to the department they want. In Germany, specialist training is a paid job, so doctors earn while they train.
Dr. Kiran Soni, who made this move after six years of practice in Kerala, describes it as hard at the start and worth it.
The whole path, from your first German class to Approbation, usually takes a few years. Doctors who keep working in India while learning the language, and who choose the right visa category from day one, avoid the costly detours that set others back.
What Aparna’s path shows
Aparna’s route is the most common one for Indian doctors: keep working in India, build German alongside, and move once recognition and the visa are in place. She did not stop practising while she prepared. That kept her clinical skills fresh and her income steady.
For MBBS graduates who want a postgraduate career abroad but cannot pause their work, her story shows it can be done in parallel, as long as the language gets daily attention. Her family backed the decision from the start, which made the long preparation easier to carry.
Practise medicine in Germany: the route at a glance
Aparna prepared alongside her job. This is the route every Indian doctor follows. The figures below are the ones we quote on our Medical PG in Germany page.
| Step | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | MBBS graduates, doctors completing their internship and working doctors |
| German level | Strong general German (B2), then the C1 medical language exam (Fachsprachprüfung, FSP) |
| Recognition | Your MBBS is assessed by the German authorities, who set out what you must do to be licensed |
| Temporary licence | After the FSP, a temporary licence (Berufserlaubnis), usually for two years, to work in a hospital |
| Full licence | Approbation, after the knowledge exam (Kenntnisprüfung, KP), which can be attempted only three times |
| PG tuition | €0. Specialist training is a paid hospital job, not a paid course |
| Pay during training | Around €4,000–€5,000 a month; around €10,000–€15,000 after specialisation |
| Initial investment | About €25,000 for the first year: stay, food, language preparation and documentation |
Want to know if your MBBS profile qualifies for a PG in Germany? Get a free profile check or message our doctors team on WhatsApp.
Step by step: how Indian doctors practise medicine in Germany
- 1-on-1 consultation. We look at your MBBS, experience, German level and the speciality you want.
- German in India. Most doctors build their German while still working, then finish with an intensive course. Aparna kept practising in India and studied German alongside.
- Recognition. Your MBBS documents are translated and submitted to the authority of the German state where you will work. She has her recognition paperwork and visa in hand. Our Approbation guide for Indian doctors covers the full path from MBBS to licence.
- FSP and temporary licence. You pass the C1 medical language exam and start working in a hospital on a temporary licence. Dr. Kiran Soni from Kerala explains how the FSP course and the first months work.
- KP and Approbation. While working, you prepare for the knowledge exam and receive your full licence.
- Specialist training. You apply directly to the department you want and train as a salaried resident; surgical fields take around five years.
Documents doctors need
- MBBS degree certificate and mark sheets
- Internship completion certificate
- Medical council registration and Certificate of Good Standing
- Detailed syllabus with hours
- Experience certificates
- German language certificates
- Passport, CV in German, police clearance and medical fitness certificate, with certified translations
Mistakes doctors make while preparing
- Letting German slip between levels. Aparna’s advice: stay in touch with it every day or you forget it.
- Stopping clinical work to study. Working in parallel kept her skills fresh and her income steady.
- Choosing the wrong visa category. The right category from day one avoids costly detours.
- Deciding alone. Aparna made the choice with her family, which made the long preparation easier.
Frequently asked questions
Is a medical PG in Germany really tuition-free?
Yes. Specialist training in Germany is a salaried hospital job, so there is no PG tuition. Your main costs are German preparation, documentation and living expenses in the first year, about €25,000 in total.
How much do doctors earn during specialist training in Germany?
Around €4,000–€5,000 a month during training, and around €10,000–€15,000 a month after specialisation, depending on experience and position.
How many times can I attempt the Kenntnisprüfung?
The knowledge exam can be attempted only three times, so doctors prepare for it while working on their temporary licence.
Can I keep working in India while I prepare to practise medicine in Germany?
Yes. Aparna did exactly that. The key is daily contact with German so you do not lose progress between classes and exams.
How long does it take to practise medicine in Germany?
From your first German class to Approbation usually takes a few years. Doctors who keep working in India while learning German save time and money.
Official sources
- Recognition of foreign qualifications: Recognition in Germany (German government portal)
- Doctors in Germany: Make it in Germany: doctors
Written by the Welcare Overseas team, Bengaluru, from Dr. Aparna Bose’s video interview. Last updated: 20 October 2026.
Are you a doctor planning a medical PG or a doctor’s job in Germany? Talk to Dr. Naresh Bhati’s team in Bengaluru about your profile, your German level and the right route for you. Book a 1-on-1 consultation.
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