Erlaubnis zur vorübergehenden Ausübung des tierärztlichen Berufs beantragen

In order to work temporarily in Germany as a veterinarian without a license, you need a permit.

If you have completed training as a veterinary surgeon but do not have a licence to practise and only wish to practise the veterinary profession temporarily, you need a permit.

The permit entitles you to use the professional title "veterinarian".

The permit can be limited to certain activities and employment positions.

It may only be granted or extended on a revocable basis and only up to a total duration of the veterinary activity of a maximum of 4 years.

The following documents must be submitted:

• Application for permission to temporarily practice veterinary medicine,
• proof of citizenship (certified copy of identity card, passport or proof of identity),
• proof of professional qualification (veterinary diploma, examination certificate or other veterinary qualification/training certificate),
• if applicable, certified proof of asylum recognition, permission under the Residence Act or possession of a naturalisation certificate
• Signed curriculum vitae in tabular form: up-to-date, concise and with a detailed, chronologically complete description of the training and professional career
• Certificate of the future employer about the possibility of employment and justification (e.g. employment contract, needs assessment)
• Proof of no criminal record, certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority (this proof may not be more than 3 months old at the time of application).
• Medical certificate stating that you are fit to practise as a veterinary (no official medical certificate required, this certificate must not be older than 3 months at the time of application).

The documents can be sent to the competent authority without any specific formal requirements.

Note: Foreign language documents must be accompanied by a German translation. The translation must be done by an officially sworn document interpreter. Diplomas and certificates of veterinary training must be submitted in a certified translation.

In order to obtain a permit for the temporary practice of the veterinary profession,

• you must have completed training as a veterinary surgeon.
• you must not have been guilty of conduct which makes you unworthy or unreliable to practise as a veterinary surgeon
• you must not be unfit in health to practise as a veterinary surgeon
• you must have the necessary knowledge of German for the job at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and
• you must have proof of a specific job.

The procedure costs money. The competent office will inform you about the costs. The costs often depend on the effort required for processing.

Additional costs may arise (e.g. for translations or certifications). These costs vary from person to person.

• For a permit to temporarily practice the veterinary profession, you must submit an application in writing or electronically to the competent body of the federal state in which the veterinary profession is to be practiced.
• The competent authority will decide on the permit after examining your documents.

A decision on the application will be taken within 3 months of the submission of the complete dossier.

The application must be submitted before you start working as a veterinarian.

If you cannot be granted a license or permission to temporarily practise as a veterinarian, the competent authority will check whether the practice of certain veterinary activities can still be approved. In this case, the authority will contact you.

Engaging in veterinary activities before obtaining a temporary license to practice the veterinary profession may result in criminal prosecution.

• In Germany, a state licence (Approbation) is required for temporary work as a veterinarian. If this is not available, a permit is required.
• This permit must be applied for at the competent authority of the country in which you wish to work as a veterinarian.
• Proof of completed training for the veterinary profession must be provided.
• The fees depend on the respective state regulations.
• The application must be submitted before practicing as a veterinarian.
• After the permit, registration with the veterinary chamber takes place upon application.

Please contact the competent authority of the country in which you wish to take action.