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If you want to work as a midwife or maternity nurse in Germany, you need a state permit.

The activity as a midwife or maternity nurse is regulated in Germany. This means that in order for you to be able to work as a midwife or maternity nurse in Germany, you need a state permit. With this permit, you may use the professional title "midwife" or "maternity nurse" and work in the profession.

Even with a professional qualification from a so-called third country, you can obtain state permission from the competent body (an authority) in Germany. Third countries are all countries that do not belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

In order to obtain the permit, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognized.

In the recognition procedure, the competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and checks its equivalence. The equivalence of the professional qualification is an important prerequisite for the issuance of the state permit.

In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must meet other requirements for the granting of the permit. Further requirements are, for example, sufficient German language skills and health suitability.

If your professional qualification comes from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, different regulations apply.

You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.

The competent authority will tell you which documents you need to submit. Important documents are generally:

• Proof of identity (ID card or passport)
• German-language curriculum vitae in tabular form with your education and professional activities
• officially certified copy of your training certificate
• Proof of your relevant professional experience as a midwife or maternity nurse
• Proof of other relevant knowledge for working as a midwife or maternity nurse
• Extract from the criminal record or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin as proof of your reliability (This proof must not be more than 3 months old at the time of application).
• Medical certificate of your health (The proof can be from an authority in your country of training. This certificate must not be more than 3 months old at the time of application.)
• Certificate of registration or declaration that you want to work where you are applying

The competent authority will tell you which documents you need to submit in the original or as a copy.

If your documents are not available in German, you must submit German translations of your documents. Translations must be carried out by translators who are publicly appointed or authorised.

Ask the state office about the specific requirements. In general, the following requirements apply:

• You have a professional qualification as a midwife or maternity nurse from a third country.
• They are suitable for health. (This means that you can work mentally and physically as a midwife or maternity nurse.)
• They are reliable for working as midwives or maternity nurses and have no criminal record.
• You have the necessary knowledge of German for the job. This is usually the language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

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

In addition, additional costs may arise (e.g. for translations, certifications or compensatory measures). These costs vary from person to person.

Examination of equivalence

You submit an application for permission to use the professional title "midwife" or "maternity nurse" to the competent authority. The competent authority will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important prerequisite is the professional qualification. The competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a midwife or maternity nurse. The competent authority will check whether your professional qualification is equivalent. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

Possible results of the test

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognised. The authority can confirm the result to you in writing. You still have to meet the other requirements and prove your language skills. Then you will receive permission to use the professional title of "midwife" or "maternity nurse".

If the competent authority identifies significant differences, you can compensate for the differences with your professional experience and other knowledge and skills (lifelong learning). You must prove that you have professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority in your country of origin.

However, this knowledge may not be sufficient. In this case, you will not be able to compensate for the essential differences. In this case, your foreign professional qualification will not be recognised.

However, the competent authority will tell you the essential differences and why you cannot compensate for the essential differences through your professional practice. They are then not allowed to work as midwives or maternity nurses. However, the competent authority offers you the option of completing an adaptation period or taking a knowledge test as a compensatory measure. If you successfully complete this measure, you will be allowed to work in the profession.

Adaptation period or knowledge test

If your professional qualification is not equivalent, you can choose between a knowledge test and a maximum three-year adaptation period. The knowledge test tests your knowledge in certain subjects and areas. These subjects and the exact procedure of the exam are regulated by law. The knowledge test has an oral part and a practical part. If you complete the adaptation period or pass the knowledge test (and meet all other requirements), you will be granted permission to use the professional title of "midwife" or "maternity nurse".

Remedy

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority. The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first talk to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

After a maximum of one month, the competent authority will confirm that your documents have arrived. The competent authority will inform you if documents are missing.

If the documents are complete, the procedure will take a maximum of 4 months.

There are no deadlines to observe.

Sometimes documents are still missing in the procedure. The competent authority will then inform you by when you have to submit the documents.

• Notice of equivalence
  In the approval procedure, the examination of equivalence (recognition procedure) is also carried out. You can apply for a separate notification for the result of the examination.
   
• Electronic application
  You can also submit your application electronically.
   
• Procedure for ethnic German repatriates
  As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either according to the law mentioned here or according to the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide for yourself. Your competent authority will advise you on this.

You can appeal against the decision of the state office within four weeks.

• To work as a midwife or maternity nurse in Germany, you need a state permit.
• With permission, you can officially call yourself a "midwife" or "maternity nurse" and work in the profession.
• Even with a professional qualification from a so-called third country, you can obtain a state permit in Germany. Third countries are all countries that do not belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
• The Hessian State Office for Health and Care (HLfGP) is responsible.

Please contact the Hessian State Office for Health and Care (HLfGP).

Since 01.01.2023, the Hessian State Office for Health and Care (HLfGP) has been responsible.

Ask the responsible state office for pre-printed applications / forms.