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

Would you like to work as a physiotherapist in Germany? Then you need a state permit. To obtain state permission, you can have your foreign professional qualification recognized.

The profession of physiotherapist is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to be able to work as a physiotherapist in Germany, you need a state permit. With the permission, you may use the professional title "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 obtain state permission from the competent authority in Germany.

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

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 granting of the state permit.

In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must also 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 originate 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 (identity card or passport)
• Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
• Evidence of formal qualifications
• Proof of your relevant professional experience as a physiotherapist
• Proof of further relevant knowledge for working as a physiotherapist
• You do not live or work in Germany yet? Then you may have to prove that you want to work in the profession in Germany. Proof includes, for example, applications for a job, invitations to interviews, personal declaration
   

You usually hand in these documents later. The competent authority will inform you when you should hand in the documents:

• Proof of your personal suitability: Extract from criminal record or certificate of good conduct from your country of origin. The proof may not be more than 3 months old when the application is submitted.
• Proof of your fitness for health: Medical certificate. The proof may not be more than 3 months old when the application is submitted.
• Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate

The competent authority will inform you which documents you must submit as a simple copy, as a certified copy or in the original.

• You have a professional qualification as a physiotherapist from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland.
• You want to work as a physiotherapist in Germany.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable for working as a physiotherapist and have no criminal record.
• Health suitability: You can work psychologically and physically as a physiotherapist.
• You have german language skills at the required language level. This is usually the language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

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.

Application

You submit an application for permission to use the professional title "physiotherapist" to the competent authority. You can submit the application with the documents to the competent authority or send it by post. Do not send originals. Sometimes you can also send the application electronically. The competent authority will inform you.
 

Equivalence test

The competent authority will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important prerequisite is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent authority compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a physiotherapist. 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 competent authority can confirm the result in writing. You still have to meet the other requirements. Then you will receive permission to use the professional title "physiotherapist" or "physiotherapist".

Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Perhaps you can compensate for the differences through your professional practice, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You must prove your professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority of the state in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.

However, it may be that the essential differences cannot be compensated by this knowledge. Then your foreign professional qualification will not be recognised. You are then not allowed to work as a physiotherapist in Germany.

However, the competent authority will tell you the essential differences and why you cannot compensate for the essential differences through your professional experience.

In most cases, you can take a compensatory measure. This allows you to compensate for the essential differences.
 

Compensatory measures

There are various compensatory measures:

• Adaptation period: The adaptation period lasts a maximum of three years.
• Aptitude test: In the aptitude test, only those areas in which significant differences have been identified are examined. The aptitude test consists of a practical examination.

You can choose between an adaptation course or an aptitude test.

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive permission to use the professional title "physiotherapist" or "physiotherapist".

None.

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

Freedom to provide services

You only want to offer services in Germany sometimes and for a short time? Then you usually do not need the state permission. You must meet these requirements:

• You must be established in another EU, EEA or Swiss country.
• You must prove your professional qualification.
• You must report your activity in writing to the competent authority.

The competent authority will inform you whether you are allowed to provide services or whether you have to take an aptitude test.

European Professional Card

You can apply for a European Professional Card (EBA). You can apply online on the website of the European Commission. The European Professional Card is an electronic procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications. It applies only to EU countries and certain professions.

Equivalence notice

In the permit procedure, the examination of equivalence (recognition procedure) is also carried out. You can request a separate decision for the result of the examination.

Procedure for ethnic German repatriates

As a ethnic German repatriate, you can either go through the recognition procedure according to the laws mentioned here or according to the Federal Displaced Persons Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible body will advise you on which procedure is right for you.

You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority within a certain period of time (e.g. lodge an objection). The decision is then reviewed. Details can be found in the notice of appeal at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first talk to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

• Physiotherapist with training from EU/EEA/Switzerland, recognition of foreign professional qualification
• To work as a physiotherapist, you need a state permit in Germany.
• 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.

Permission is granted by the State Administration Office in Halle (Saale).