Nearly half of foreign doctors aspiring to practice medicine in Germany are failing to demonstrate adequate German language skills, research by the Freilich magazine has revealed.
The specialist language test, a key requirement for licensing, is proving to be a major stumbling block, with failure rates in some regions approaching 50 percent.
The exam, designed to ensure that foreign-trained doctors can communicate effectively in professional settings, requires candidates to meet advanced and specific standards (B2 for general communication and C1 for medical terminology) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Despite the pressing shortage of doctors in Germany, many foreign professionals are unable to pass the test, delaying their entry into the workforce.
In Saxony, one of the hardest-hit states, nearly half of all examinees failed the language test in 2023. Among them were 112 out of 200 Syrian doctors and 15 out of 26 Ukrainian candidates. Similar trends were observed nationwide.
Brandenburg also experienced a failure rate of 50 percent, while Bremen, Bavaria, and Berlin had failure rates of 49 percent, 44 percent, and 38 percent, respectively. In Hamburg, failure rates ranged between 40 percent and 45 percent.
Thuringia stands out as a positive exception, with just 26 percent of foreign doctors failing the language test.
Foreign doctors who did not complete their medical training in Germany must pass the specialist language test to receive a license to practice. Exam fees can range from €390 to €600 per attempt, and while candidates may retake the test indefinitely, success is not guaranteed.
The difficulty of the exam is commensurate with the demands and responsibilities of the profession, yet foreign nationals from Syria, Iran, and Turkey, who make up a significant portion of the examinees, are finding it particularly burdensome.
The failure rates have drawn criticism from politicians and medical professionals. The AfD party has been particularly vocal, arguing that the language test results point to broader issues in the qualifications and readiness of foreign doctors. They have called for stricter requirements, including mandatory training and examinations to ensure alignment with German medical standards.
“Promoting local medical students is of course an elementary and obvious task,” said Martin Sichert, health policy spokesperson for the AfD. “The more German doctors with high levels of expertise are approved, the fewer foreign doctors will be needed.”
He emphasized the need for consistent standards to guarantee quality and safety in patient care, warning that foreign doctors shouldn’t be rushed through the system until they can speak German to an acceptable level.
