Physiotherapist with training from EU/EEA/Switzerland, recognize professional qualification

Procedure

Application

You submit an application to the competent authority for permission to use the professional title "physiotherapist". You can submit the application with the documents to the competent authority or send it by post. Do not send any originals.

You can submit an application if you do not yet live in Germany.

Examination of equivalence

The competent authority will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent body will compare 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 examination

If your professional qualification is equivalent, your foreign professional qualification will be recognized. The competent authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still meet the other requirements. You will then receive permission to use the professional title "physiotherapist".

Are there any significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? You may be able to compensate for the differences through your professional experience, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You must provide evidence of your professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority in the country in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.

However, it may be that the significant differences cannot be compensated for by this knowledge. In this case, your foreign professional qualification will not be recognized. You will then not be allowed to work as a physiotherapist in Germany.

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

In most cases, you can take a compensatory measure. This will allow you to compensate for the main differences.

Compensatory measures

There are various compensatory measures:

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

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

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

Legal bases

• § 1 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 Gesetz über die Berufe in der Physiotherapie (Masseur- und Physiotherapeutengesetz - MPhG)
• § 2 Abs. 2-5 Gesetz über die Berufe in der Physiotherapie (Masseur- und Physiotherapeutengesetz - MPhG)
• § 21 Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsverordnung für Physiotherapeuten
• § 21a Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsverordnung für Physiotherapeuten
• § 21c Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsverordnung für Physiotherapeuten

More information

Freedom to provide services

Do you only want to offer services in Germany occasionally and for a short time? Then you usually do not need a state permit. You must fulfill these requirements:

• You must be established in another EU or EEA member state or in Switzerland.
• You must provide proof of your professional qualification.
• You must notify the competent authority of your activity in writing.

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

European professional card

You can apply for a European Professional Card (EPC). You can submit the application online on the European Commission's website. The European Professional Card is an electronic procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications. It is only valid for EU countries and certain professions.

Notification of equivalence

The equivalence check (recognition procedure) also takes place during the licensing procedure. You can apply for a separate decision on the result of the assessment.

Procedure for ethnic German repatriates

As a late repatriate, you can go through the recognition procedure either in accordance with the laws mentioned here or in accordance with the Federal Expellee Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible office will advise you which procedure is right for you.

Legal remedy:

You can take legal action against the decision of the responsible office within a certain period of time (e.g. lodge an objection). 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 speak to the responsible office before taking legal action against the decision.