Step-by-step
- 01
Eligibility check + German foundation
Submit your candidate profile at salafgroup.com. SALAF reviews your MBBS degree, internship status, and current German level. If you're starting from scratch, the personalized roadmap maps months 1-12 of language progression (A1 → A2 → B1 → B2). Pay Installment 1 (₹2,50,000) to begin.
- 02
Documentation + state selection
Translate, notarize, and apostille your MBBS, internship certificate, MCI/state council registration, and CV into German format. SALAF advises on which Bundesland to target based on your profile, language readiness, and geographic preference. 2-3 months in parallel with B1 → B2 language work.
- 03
B2 German + TELC / Goethe certificate
Reach B2 level and pass TELC B2 or Goethe-Zertifikat B2 (or ÖSD B2). This is the gating credential for Approbation application. Plan 8-12 months from a beginner level; faster if you have any prior German exposure. Many SALAF candidates use this phase to also save toward the upcoming installments.
- 04
Submit Approbation / Berufserlaubnis application
Pay Installment 2 (₹2,50,000). SALAF submits your full file to the chosen Bundesland authority (Landesprüfungsamt or Regierungspräsidium). Authority reviews degree equivalence and decides between Approbation (full license) or Berufserlaubnis (temporary, with FSP/KP requirements). Processing: 6-20 weeks depending on Bundesland.
- 05
FSP preparation + hospital applications
Pay Installment 3 (₹2,50,000). Begin focused medical-German FSP preparation (3-6 months). Simultaneously SALAF launches your hospital application drive — German CV optimization, motivation letters, bulk applications to 30-50 Assistenzarzt openings across your target Bundesland.
- 06
Clear FSP + interview + job offer
Take and clear FSP at the Landesärztekammer (state medical chamber). FSP results unlock final Approbation / Berufserlaubnis. Interviews with hospitals begin in parallel — typically German-language, covering case discussions and clinical scenarios. Most candidates secure a job offer within 6-10 weeks of FSP clearance.
- 07
Pay Installment 4 + work permit + visa
Pay Installment 4 (₹2,50,000) on job offer signing. SALAF coordinates work permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) application and Germany National Visa (Type D) at the German consulate in India. Pre-departure briefing covers German tax setup, Krankenversicherung (statutory health insurance), and initial accommodation strategy.
- 08
Land in Germany + start as Assistenzarzt
Arrive in Germany 4-8 weeks before contract start. SALAF supports initial onboarding — Anmeldung (residence registration), Krankenversicherung enrollment, opening a German bank account, securing an apartment near the hospital. Day 1 on the ward is your start as Assistenzarzt at €4,500-€6,000 / month gross.
- 09
Clear Kenntnisprüfung (if required) within Year 1-2
If your initial recognition was Berufserlaubnis (temporary), clear KP within the first 12-24 months to convert to full Approbation. KP is a 60-90 minute oral exam covering internal medicine + surgery + one rotating subject. Many candidates use Year 1 to consolidate clinical experience and prepare for KP in parallel.
- 10
Begin Facharzt specialization training
Once on full Approbation, formally enter the Weiterbildung (specialty training) for your chosen Facharzt — Innere Medizin, Allgemeinmedizin, Anästhesiologie, etc. The 5-6 year program is structured by the Bundesärztekammer with rotation requirements, procedure logs, and a final exam. Salary scales upward each Weiterbildungsjahr (training year).
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm an Indian MBBS graduate — am I eligible for Approbation in Germany?
Yes. The Indian MBBS is recognized for evaluation by every German Bundesland (state) authority. The Approbation process compares your degree against the German curriculum; minor differences typically trigger a Kenntnisprüfung (KP) requirement, which is a one-time medical knowledge equivalence exam. The internship year (CRRI / Rotational Internship) counts toward your eligibility. You don't need to repeat MBBS — you need to clear language + KP and demonstrate registration in good standing with your state medical council in India.
How much German do I need before I can apply?
B2 minimum, B2-C1 medical German strongly recommended. Accepted certificates: TELC B2, Goethe-Zertifikat B2, ÖSD B2, or DSH-2. Many candidates pursue the C1 medical (Medizin-C1 or telc Deutsch B2-C1 Medizin) before the FSP because clinical communication on the wards demands more than B2. Realistic preparation time from zero German is 12-18 months at 1-2 hours/day. Some candidates compress this to 9-12 months with intensive full-day courses in India or Germany.
What's the difference between Approbation and Berufserlaubnis?
Approbation is the full, permanent German medical license — your name on the door, full prescriptive authority, no restrictions. Berufserlaubnis is a temporary work permit (typically 2 years, renewable in some states) that lets you practice under supervision while you complete the steps to full Approbation, usually FSP and KP. Many international doctors begin work on a Berufserlaubnis and convert to Approbation after clearing KP. The economics are similar (you earn an Assistenzarzt salary on either), but Approbation gives more career flexibility long-term.
What is the FSP and how do I prepare for it?
Fachsprachprüfung (FSP) is the medical-specific German language exam. It's an oral exam in three parts: a 20-minute simulated patient consultation in German, a 20-minute case discussion with the examiner (presenting the case, differential diagnosis, treatment plan), and a 20-minute written documentation task (writing a hospital admission summary). You take it at the Landesärztekammer (state medical chamber) in your chosen Bundesland. Preparation is typically 3-6 months of focused medical-German practice with a tutor or in a dedicated FSP course. SALAF's pathway includes FSP-focused preparation in Installment 3.
Do all Indian doctors need to clear Kenntnisprüfung (KP)?
Most do, yes. KP is the medical knowledge equivalence exam — a 60-90 minute oral exam in German covering internal medicine, surgery, and one rotating subject (emergency medicine, pharmacology, etc.). Some Bundesländer waive KP if they assess your transcripts as equivalent, but in 2026 the standard is that Indian MBBS triggers KP. You can prepare for KP in parallel with your job search; many candidates clear KP within their first 12-18 months on a Berufserlaubnis while already working as an Assistenzarzt.
How much will I earn as an Assistenzarzt (resident) in Germany?
Gross monthly salary as a starting Assistenzarzt is €4,500-€6,000 in 2026, varying by collective bargaining agreement (Tarifvertrag) of the hospital. Public hospitals (city-owned, university teaching hospitals) under TV-Ärzte/VKA pay slightly less than private chains under TV-Ärzte/Helios or Asklepios; rural / less-popular Bundesländer often pay more to attract staff. Net take-home after German taxes and social contributions is roughly 60-65% of gross. After 4-5 years and Facharzt completion, you move into the €6,500-€9,000+ specialist tier.
How long does the entire process take from registration to Day 1 as Assistenzarzt?
Realistic end-to-end timeline is 18-30 months for most candidates, depending on starting German level. From zero-German starting point: 12-15 months for B2 + FSP preparation, 4-6 months for state Approbation processing + hospital application + visa. Candidates who already have B2 or B1 can compress to 12-18 months total. The fastest cases (Indian doctor with prior B2 experience) close in 9-12 months. SALAF's milestone-based timeline lays this out per Installment so you always know what's next.
What's the total cost of the SALAF Germany doctors pathway?
₹10,00,000 total program fee, paid in 4 milestone-tied installments of ₹2,50,000 each. Installment 1 covers eligibility + profile setup. Installment 2 covers the recognition / Approbation application. Installment 3 covers FSP preparation + hospital applications. Installment 4 covers job offer, work permit, and visa. Third-party costs separate: language courses (€1,500-€4,000), TELC/Goethe exams (€150-€300 each), translation + apostille (€400-€1,700), recognition application fee (€200-€600), FSP exam (€400-€800), KP exam (€200-€500), visa fee (€75). Total third-party: roughly €3,000-€7,500 (₹2,70,000-₹6,75,000) spread across the 18-30 month timeline.
Which Bundesland should I apply to for Approbation?
Each of Germany's 16 federal states has its own Approbation authority and its own processing speed. Bavaria (München/Nürnberg), Hessen (Frankfurt), Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart), and NRW (Düsseldorf/Köln) are the most popular but also the slowest (12-20 weeks processing). Smaller / rural states like Sachsen-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thüringen often process in 6-10 weeks and have higher hospital demand for Assistenzärzte. SALAF advises on Bundesland selection based on your profile, language level, and geographic preferences in Installment 1.
What's the Facharzt timeline after I start as Assistenzarzt?
Facharzt (specialist) completion takes 5-6 years of structured residency training in your chosen specialty — Innere Medizin, Allgemeinmedizin, Anästhesiologie, Chirurgie, Pädiatrie, etc. Each specialty has a Weiterbildungsordnung (specialty curriculum) that lists required rotations, procedures, and case logs. After Facharzt, you can sub-specialize (Schwerpunkt) for additional 2-3 years. Career progression after Facharzt: Oberarzt (consultant) → Leitender Oberarzt → Chefarzt (department head). Indian doctors completing Facharzt in Germany have a clear path to permanent residency, EU mobility, and eventually German citizenship.
Ready to start
Begin your Germany pathway with structured support.
Submit your candidate profile to begin the Germany pathway. SALAF's milestone-based engagement collects fees only after each real outcome — no large upfront payment.