Physiotherapeutin oder Physiotherapeut mit Ausbildung aus EU/EWR/Schweiz, Berufsqualifikation anerkennen

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

Even with a professional qualification from a country of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can obtain permission in Germany.

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 a 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 does not come from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, other 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 physiotherapist
• Extract from your criminal record or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin as proof of your worthiness and reliability (This proof must not be more than 3 months old at the time of application).
• Medical certificate of your health fitness (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.)
• Declaration that you have not yet applied for permission in Germany

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 regional council about the specific requirements. In general, the following requirements apply:

• You have a professional qualification as a physiotherapist from the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
• In terms of health, you are suitable for working as a physiotherapist.
• They are reliable for working as a physiotherapist 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 or certifications). These costs vary from person to person.

Examination of equivalence

You submit an application for permission to use the professional title "physiotherapist" 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 physiotherapist. 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 "physiotherapist".

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. You are then not allowed to work as a physiotherapist. 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 aptitude test

If your professional qualification is not equivalent, you can take an adaptation period or take an aptitude test. The aptitude test examines the essential differences in your professional qualifications. The exam consists of a practical exercise and an exam interview. The contents and the exact procedure of the examination are regulated by law. If you complete the adaptation period or pass the aptitude test, you will be granted permission to use the professional title of "physiotherapist". You must also meet the other requirements and prove your language skills.

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 application and 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.

None.

Sometimes documents are still missing in the procedure. The competent authority will then inform you by when you have to submit the documents. As a result, the procedure may be prolonged.

• Freedom to provide services
  If you only want to work temporarily and occasionally as a self-employed service provider in Germany, you do not need a state permit. However, special conditions then apply. You must declare your work to the competent authority before the first activity. The competent authority will inform you in detail about the procedure.
   
• European Professional Card
  You can apply for a European Professional Card (EPC) from the European Commission's Authentication Service (ECAS). The European Professional Card is an electronic certificate that simplifies the recognition process. You still have to apply for the license to practice medicine.
   
• Notice of equivalence
  In the approval procedure, the equivalence is checked (recognition procedure). You can apply for a separate notification for the result of the examination.
   
• Electronic application
  You can also submit your application electronically. The application can be submitted directly to the competent authority. You can also submit the application to the Point of Single Contact. The Point of Single Contact will help you and forward the application to the competent authority that carries out the recognition procedure.
   
• 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 regional council within four weeks.

• To work as a physiotherapist in Germany, you need a state permit.
• With permission, you can call yourself a "physiotherapist" and work in the profession.
• Even with a professional qualification from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can get permission in Germany.

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 regional council for pre-printed applications / forms.