PG in Germany after MBBS: Advance your medical career

Shaurya Chaudhary

Shaurya Chaudhary

Content Writer

Reading time: 7 Minutes
Updated on: 10. April 2025
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☝️ At a glance

  • Structured training with salary: Germany offers Facharztausbildung (specialist training) instead of MD/MS, where doctors earn ₹4.05 – ₹5.4 lakh/month during hospital training.
  • Eligibility & licensing: Indian doctors must learn German (B2/C1), get their MBBS recognized, and pass the Kenntnisprüfung & Approbation exams for licensing.
  • Affordable education: Public universities have no tuition fees, but students spend ₹10.8 – ₹13.5 lakh/year on language courses, living expenses, and registration fees.
  • Career & salary prospects: Specialists earn ₹72 lakh – ₹1.08 crore/year, while senior consultants earn ₹1.35 crore – ₹1.8 crore/year, with a pathway to permanent residency.
  • Expert guidance: futureMBBS offers free consultation and complete support for Indian students pursuing medical PG in Germany.

📖 Table of Contents

Germany has emerged as one of the most preferred destinations for medical postgraduation due to its high-quality education system, structured training programs, and excellent career prospects. Unlike other countries, Germany offers an on-the-job training model (Facharztausbildung) where students are trained in hospitals under experienced doctors, earning a salary while pursuing their medical PG education.

For Indian doctors, Germany offers a golden opportunity to specialize in various medical fields, work in top German hospitals, and eventually apply for permanent German residency. However, the process is quite different from traditional PG courses in India, the USA, or the UK.

This guide covers everything you need to know about pursuing a PG in Germany after MBBS, including eligibility criteria, medical licensing exams, top universities, cost structure, salaries, and career prospects.

Why choose Germany for medical PG?

Germany offers several advantages for international students pursuing medical specialization:

  • No tuition fees at public universities

  • Hands-on on-the-job training model

  • Attractive salary during specialization (€4,500 – €6,000 per month)

  • Globally recognized medical PG degree

  • Access to advanced medical research and infrastructure

  • Opportunity for permanent residency after specialization

Germany’s medical education system follows a practical approach, ensuring that doctors are well-trained to handle real-world medical scenarios.

Understanding the medical PG system in Germany

Unlike India, Germany does not have structured PG courses like MD or MS. Instead, students undergo specialist medical training (Facharztausbildung) in approved German hospitals.

Course structure

Feature

Details

Course Name

Facharztausbildung (Specialist Training)

Duration

5-6 years

Mode of Study

On-the-job training in hospitals

Salary

₹4,05,000 – ₹5,40,000 per month

Tuition Fees

Mostly free at public universities

Medical Licensing

Requires passing the Approbation exam

This medical training system ensures that doctors gain hands-on experience before obtaining a permanent medical license in Germany.

Eligibility criteria for medical PG in Germany

To pursue a medical PG degree in Germany, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  1. MBBS degree: The degree must be from a government-approved medical institution and recognized by German medical licensing authorities.

  2. Medical license recognition (Approbation): Indian MBBS degrees must be assessed for equivalency by the German medical council.

  3. German language proficiency: Minimum B2 or C1 level certification is required to communicate with patients and medical staff.

  4. Medical licensing exams: Passing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FSP) and the Approbation exam is mandatory.

  5. Temporary medical license: Before obtaining a permanent medical license, students need a temporary license to work in German hospitals.

Meeting these requirements is crucial for Indian students planning to specialize in Germany.

 

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Step-by-step process to pursue medical PG in Germany

Step 1: Learn the German language

German language skills are mandatory for medical professionals. Most universities and hospitals require at least B2 or C1 level German proficiency.

Recommended German Language exams

  • TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache)

  • Telc Medizin B2/C1

  • Goethe-Zertifikat B2/C1

To clear these exams, students can enroll in language learning centers in India or Germany.

Step 2: Recognizing Your MBBS Degree in Germany

Since Indian medical degrees are not automatically recognized in Germany, candidates must apply for equivalency assessment through the German Medical Council (Ärztekammer).

Documents required for recognition:

  • MBBS degree and transcripts

  • Internship completion certificate

  • Medical council registration

  • German language certification

  • Passport and visa documents

Once the degree is recognized, students can proceed to medical licensing exams.

Step 3: Pass the medical licensing examinations

1. Kenntnisprüfung (FSP) – Temporary License Test

  • Tests German medical knowledge and language proficiency

  • Required to obtain a temporary medical license

2. Approbation – Permanent License Test

  • Comprehensive assessment of medical knowledge and clinical skills

  • Grants permanent medical license to work as a German medical practitioner

Clearing these exams is necessary to practice medicine and pursue medical PG in Germany.

Step 4: Apply for medical PG training (Facharztausbildung)

After obtaining the temporary medical license, students can apply for medical PG training in German hospitals.

Specializations available:

Specialization

Duration

General Surgery

6 years

Internal Medicine

5 years

Cardiology

6 years

Radiology

5 years

Pediatrics

5 years

Orthopedics

6 years

Anesthesiology

5 years

Doctors work in university hospitals and outpatient units, gaining hands-on experience.

Best medical universities in Germany for PG

Here are some of the top German universities for medical specialization:

University

Location

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Berlin

Heidelberg University

Heidelberg

Ludwig Maximilian University

Munich

RWTH Aachen University

Aachen

University of Hamburg

Hamburg

Most public universities offer zero tuition fees, making it an attractive option for international students.

Cost of studying medical PG in Germany

Germany offers affordable medical education compared to the USA or UK.

Expense

Cost (₹ per year)

German Language Courses

₹4,50,000 – ₹6,30,000

University Registration Fees

₹45,000 – ₹90,000

Living Expenses

₹9,00,000 – ₹10,80,000

Health Insurance

₹1,08,000 – ₹1,35,000

Overall, students need around ₹10,80,000 – ₹13,50,000 per year, which can be covered through paid medical training.

Salary and career prospects after medical PG in Germany

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Germany offers excellent career opportunities with high salaries.

Medical Role

Average Salary (₹ per year)

Resident Doctor

₹49,50,000 – ₹63,00,000

Specialist Doctor

₹72,00,000 – ₹1,08,00,000

Senior Consultant

₹1,35,00,000 – ₹1,80,00,000

After completing medical PG, doctors can apply for permanent German residency and continue working in Germany’s healthcare system.

Conclusion

Pursuing medical PG in Germany is a great opportunity for Indian doctors and international students. With world-class training, high salaries, and a pathway to permanent residency, Germany is a top destination for medical postgraduation.

Students looking to pursue PG in Germany after MBBS should start by learning medical German, preparing for licensing exams, and securing a training position in an approved German hospital.

futureMBBS provides expert guidance and step-by-step assistance for Indian students aiming to pursue medical PG in Germany. Get a free consultation today to explore your options and start your journey toward a successful medical career in Germany.

Read more similar articles:

  1. MBBS in Europe: A complete guide for students 2025

  2. Guide to counselling for NEET PG 2025: Key dates & updates

  3. Best consultancy for MBBS abroad: Top services by futureMBBS

 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs about “PG in Germany after MBBS"

PG (Facharztausbildung) takes 5-6 years, depending on specialization. General Surgery, Cardiology, and Orthopedics take six years, while Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Radiology take five years.

Yes, but they must get their degree recognized, pass the Approbation exam, prove German proficiency (B2/C1), and apply for jobs in hospitals. After five years, they can apply for permanent residency.

Public universities have no tuition fees, but annual costs include:

  • ₹4,50,000 – ₹6,30,000 for language courses
  • ₹45,000 – ₹90,000 for university fees
  • ₹9,00,000 – ₹10,80,000 for living expenses
  • ₹1,08,000 – ₹1,35,000 for health insurance

Total cost: ₹10,80,000 – ₹13,50,000 per year

However, students earn ₹4,05,000 – ₹5,40,000 per month during training.

Learn German (B2/C1), get your MBBS recognized by the German Medical Council, pass the Kenntnisprüfung for a temporary license, then the Approbation exam for a permanent license. Secure a PG training spot (Facharztausbildung) in a hospital and complete 5-6 years of specialization.

Yes, after completing medical postgraduate studies, doctors can apply for permanent residency and a permanent medical license.

The medical PG degree in Germany takes 5-6 years depending on the specialization.

The medical PG degree in Germany takes 5-6 years depending on the specialization.

Yes, Indian doctors can pursue medical PG in Germany after clearing the language proficiency and medical licensing exams.