Erlaubnis zur vorübergehenden Ausübung des tierärztlichen Berufs für Tierärzte aus EU-Mitgliedstaaten beantragen

You need a permit to work temporarily as a veterinarian in Germany without a license.

If you have completed training as a veterinarian but do not have a license to practice medicine and only wish to practice the veterinary profession temporarily, you will need a permit.

The permit entitles you to use the professional title "veterinarian".

The permit can be restricted to certain activities and employment positions.

It may only be granted or extended on a revocable basis and only up to a maximum total duration of 4 years of veterinary activity.

The basis for practicing the veterinary profession is a successfully completed university degree in veterinary medicine. In addition, a separate professional license is required to use the professional title "veterinarian" in the Federal Republic of Germany and to practice the veterinary profession. This professional license is the Approbation. The requirements for obtaining a license to practice are laid down in the Federal Veterinary Code.

If the requirements for the granting of a license to practice medicine in accordance with the Federal Veterinary Code are not met, the professional license can alternatively be granted by means of a permit to temporarily practice the veterinary profession. A permit for the temporary practice of the veterinary profession can be granted on application to persons who can provide evidence of having completed training for the veterinary profession. On this basis, the professional license can be granted for a maximum of 4 years. A further extension is only possible in a few special cases.

With a few exceptions, this does not apply to nationals of a member state of the European Union, another contracting state of the Agreement on the European Economic Area or a contracting state to which Germany and the European Community or Germany and the European Union have granted a corresponding legal entitlement by treaty, who have obtained a certificate of training in one of these states or present an equivalent certificate of training, as these applicants are generally entitled to obtain a license to practice. In accordance with Section 11 of the Federal Veterinary Code, the permit does not preclude the granting of a license to practice.

The following documents must be submitted:

• Application for permission to temporarily exercise the veterinary profession,
• Proof of nationality (certified copy of identity card, passport or proof of identity),
• proof of professional qualification (veterinary diploma, examination certificate or other proof of veterinary qualification/training),
• if applicable, certified proof of recognition of asylum, permission under the Residence Act or possession of a naturalization certificate
• Signed curriculum vitae in tabular form: up-to-date, concise and with a detailed, complete description of the applicant's education and professional career
• Certificate from the future employer about the employment opportunity and justification (e.g. employment contract, needs assessment)
• Proof of no criminal record, certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority (this proof must not be older than 3 months at the time of application)
• Medical certificate confirming that you are medically fit to practise the veterinary profession (no official medical certificate required, this certificate must not be older than 3 months at the time of application).

The documents can be sent to the competent authority without any specific formal requirements.

Note: Foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a German translation. The translation must be carried out by an officially sworn document interpreter. Diplomas and certificates of veterinary training must be submitted as certified translations.

Supplementary documents in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern:

• Proof that the applicant has the German language skills required to carry out the professional activity:
  • In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, proof of the language skills required to carry out the professional activity must be provided in a personal interview
• In addition, the following documents may be required: identity card or passport with current confirmation of registration.

If the documents/proofs are not issued in German, they must also be submitted in an officially recognized translation.

To obtain a permit for the temporary practice of the veterinary profession

• you must provide proof that you have completed training for the veterinary profession
• you must not have been guilty of any conduct that makes you unworthy or unreliable to practise the veterinary profession
• you must not be medically unfit to practise the veterinary profession
• you must have the necessary German language skills for the job at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and
• you need proof of a specific job.

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, proof of the language skills required to carry out the job must be provided in a personal interview.

The procedure costs money. The responsible office will inform you of the costs. The costs often depend on the time and effort required for processing.

Additional costs may also be incurred (e.g. for translations or certifications). These costs vary from person to person.

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, an administrative fee of 82.00 - 123.00 euros is charged for the granting of a permit for the temporary exercise of the veterinary profession.

The setting of the fee within this range depends on the administrative costs incurred.

• For a permit to practice the veterinary profession on a temporary basis, you must submit an application in writing or electronically to the competent authority of the federal state in which the veterinary profession is to be practiced.
• The competent authority will decide on the permit after examining your documents.

• Application and submission of the required documents by the applicant
• Examination and processing by the competent authority (if necessary, request for further documents/clarification of specific issues)
• Decision on the granting of a permit to temporarily exercise the veterinary profession/decision on the rejection of the application for a permit to temporarily exercise the veterinary profession
• The permit may be limited to certain activities and employment positions. It is only granted for a maximum total period of 4 years and is revocable. In the case of certain exceptions, the period may be extended.

A decision on the application will be made within 3 months of submission of the complete documentation.

The application must be submitted before you start working as a veterinarian.

If you cannot be granted a license or permission to temporarily practise as a veterinarian, the competent authority will check whether the practice of certain veterinary activities can still be approved. In this case, the authority will contact you.

Engaging in veterinary activities before obtaining a temporary license to practice the veterinary profession may result in criminal prosecution.

Acting as a veterinarian before obtaining a temporary license to practice as a veterinarian can lead to criminal prosecution.

• Objection in accordance with the information on legal remedies
• Legal action

• In Germany, you need a state license (Approbation) to work as a veterinarian on a temporary basis. If this is not available, a permit is required.
• This permit must be applied for from the competent authority in the country in which you wish to work as a veterinarian.
• Proof must be provided that you have completed training for the veterinary profession.
• The fees are based on the respective state regulations.
• The application must be submitted before working as a veterinarian.
• Once the license has been granted, registration with the Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons is required.

Please contact the competent authority in the country in which you wish to work.

Ministry for Climate Protection, Agriculture, Rural Areas and the Environment M-V

Ministry for Climate Protection, Agriculture, Rural Areas and the Environment M-V

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Informal application possible: No
Personal appearance necessary: No