Apply for a license to practice as a veterinarian

If you wish to work permanently as a veterinarian in Germany, you must be licensed (approbiert) for this activity.

To the Giessen Regional Council

• Completed application form
• Copy of identity card or comparable identification document
• Declaration that no criminal proceedings or public prosecutor's investigation is pending against you.
• Medical certificate (not older than one month) stating that there are no indications that you are unfit in terms of health to properly exercise your profession.
• for proof of personal reliability:
  • If you are resident in Germany:
    • Certificate of good conduct
  • If you live abroad: Documents from your home country that prove your personal reliability.
• Curriculum vitae with the focus of your previous professional activity
• birth certificate
• Marriage certificate, if applicable
• Certificates (e.g. diplomas) relating to the veterinary examination or
  • proof of training from the respective EU/EEA country or Switzerland or
  • Proof of training and certificate of equivalence from the competent authority of the respective country
• Confirmation of registration from the respective city/municipality
• Proof of sufficient knowledge of the German language

The competent authority may request further documents to verify personal reliability.

Further evidence (e.g. proof of employment) may also be required. Please enquire directly at the responsible office.

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

The required forms are available for download on the website of the Giessen Regional Council

The license to practice medicine can be granted if you have a degree in veterinary medicine. A license can only be granted if the training is equivalent to a German university degree. You may have to take additional examinations or knowledge tests.

You must also prove that you

• have not been guilty of any behavior that makes you unworthy or unreliable to practice the veterinary profession,
• are medically fit to practise the veterinary profession,
• have the necessary knowledge of the German language to practise the profession.

Veterinary training completed in one of the other EU/EEA states or in Switzerland is equivalent to training in Germany. The equivalence of the training must be proven.

You must submit the application for licensure in writing to the competent authority. You must sign it by hand or provide it with a qualified electronic signature. The application must state that you wish to exercise the professional activity in Hesse.

You will be notified within 4 weeks as to whether your application is complete or whether you need to submit further documents.

Once your license has been granted, you will receive a license certificate.

You must submit your application for a license to practice in writing to the relevant office. You must sign it by hand or provide it with a qualified electronic signature. The application must state that you wish to exercise your professional activity in Hesse. The necessary forms are available for download or can be obtained from the relevant office.

You will be informed within 4 weeks whether your application is complete or whether you need to submit further documents.

Once your license has been granted, you will receive a license certificate.

Comprehensive information can be found on the website of the Giessen Regional Council - Veterinary licensing

The official certificate of good conduct must not have been issued more than one month prior to submission.

The medical certificate must not be older than one month.

A maximum of 4 months after receipt of all requested documents.

Issuing the license to practice: 150.00 Euro - 350.00 Euro