Medical specialists for Germany

The “Specialized!" programme enables doctors of medicine to be recruited from abroad. Why Mexico and Colombia in particular? 

Friederike Meyer-Belitz: Mexico was selected as a country for the “Specialized!” programme in 2017 as there was interest here in a cooperative arrangement with Germany for the purpose of specialist medical training. The background to this is that Mexico does not have enough places to offer specialist medical training. Every year, 40,000 graduates apply for just under 18,000 training positions. It's a similar situation in Colombia. The aim of the “Specialized!” programme is therefore to obtain positions in Germany for continuing vocational training as a medical specialist. This enables doctors to continue their training here in Germany. 

Doctors of medicine with foreign qualifications need recognition. What's the situation in terms of the path to approbation? What advantages does the programme offer in this respect?

Friederike Meyer-Belitz: The “Specialized!" programme consists of four coordinated phases. These are applicant selection, preparation for entry, medical language training and, finally, preparation for approbation . We support doctors and employers through all phases of the programme and we help, for example, with the visa application, with applying for recognition, with the organisation of the specialist language courses, and with the preparation courses for the knowledge test. In this way, we ensure participants are able to fully focus on developing their language and professional skills and on settling in Germany. Participation in the “Specialized!” programme makes it possible to invest directly in the retention of future doctors of medicine. All of our services are publicly financed. 

What advantages does the programme offer for the participating hospitals?

Friederike Meyer-Belitz: The employers are pleased that they can deploy participants immediately in the hospital when they arrive in Germany. They either complete a traineeship period or are appointed to an auxiliary activity subject to social insurance contributions. Generally, after around 6 to 8 months, they can then be employed as a junior doctor with the relevant authorisation to practise a profession. If they receive the approbation (licence to practise medicine in Germany) after a total of 12 to 14 months, the hospitals then have doctors of medicine who are immediately able to work in the team. The link with hospitals at an early stage and the clear prospects in terms of medical specialist training mean there is a high retention rate among participant. 

The “Specialized!” programme was initially trialled as a pilot project from 2017 to 2020. Were the objectives achieved?

Gitte Richter: The objective was to attract medical personnel from Mexico to work in rural areas in Germany. The aim was also to develop a best-practice model for the collaboration of all institutions involved in successful selection, recognition and placement of doctors from third countries. The project was also intended to contribute to safeguarding healthcare provision, and to facilitate the migration of skilled workers from third countries in a way that was as fair as it was effective. The objectives were achieved and “Specialized!” has become established as a permanent programme. 

What objectives have you set for the years ahead?

Gitte Richter: This year we will implement the “Specialized!” programme in all federal states. This represents an important milestone for us. Our focus is now on attracting further hospitals across Germany to the programme.

The interview with Gitte Richter and Friederike Meyer-Belitz took place in May 2024.

The “Specialized!" programme was initiated by the Federal Employment Agency (BA) in 2017. The programme is implemented by the BA's Centre for International Migration and Development (ZAV) with support from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the Foreign Office. Other network partners are the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, German missions abroad, the Network Integration through Qualification (IQ), recognition offices, federal-state medical councils, hospitals and regional hospital associations. In total, 226 doctors of medicine have taken up employment in Germany under the “Specialized!” programme. Another 32 are preparing their recognition application and for entry into Germany.

Key information about responsibility for, and details on, the recognition procedure, e.g. for the reference occupation of “doctor of medicine” is provided in the Recognition Finder in the Skilled workers section of „Anerkennung in Deutschland“. The online application for recognition can also be started from there.