Approbation for Iraqi doctors in Germany — the complete guide

You studied medicine in Baghdad, Mosul, Basra, Erbil, or Sulaymaniyah and want to work as a doctor in Germany. The path is achievable — but it is different from that of colleagues from EU countries. Iraqi degrees are considered third-country qualifications. This means: the Kenntnisprüfung (KP) is generally mandatory, obtaining documents is more demanding than for most other countries of origin, and your residence status (asylum, protection, work visa, family reunification) significantly affects the procedure. This guide shows you the real path — without marketing language, without sugar-coating.

Recognition of Iraqi Medical Studies

Iraqi Medical Studies last six years, followed by the mandatory year (Foundation Year / “housing year”). For German Approbation, the responsible Approbation authority in your Federal State checks whether your training is considered equivalent to German Approbation.

In the vast majority of cases, full equivalence is not established. The decision then states: “substantial differences” — and you must take a Kenntnisprüfung. The KP is a state oral-practical exam covering the content of the German State Examination (Internal Medicine, Surgery, Emergency, pharmacology, law).

The recognition office depends on where you live in Germany — each Federal State has its own Approbation authority (e.g., LPA in Hesse, LAGeSo in Berlin, district government in NRW).

Required documents

For the application, you generally need:

• Medical diploma (شهادة البكالوريوس في الطب والجراحة العامة) from the Iraqi university
• Grade overview / Transcript of Records (كشف الدرجات / كشف الإجازات) — all six years
• Certificate of the mandatory year (شهادة الاقامة / housing year)
• Iraq Approbation certificate or license from the Iraqi Medical Association (نقابة الأطباء العراقية / إجازة ممارسة المهنة)
• Curriculum / study regulations of the university (hours and subjects table)
• Passport or replacement document
• Residence permit / asylum decision / toleration
• Police clearance certificate from Iraq (شهادة عدم محكومية) — usually not older than 3 months
• Medical certificate confirming fitness to practise
• B2 language certificate (general language) and C1 Fachsprachprüfung
• CV in German

Special case: Kurdistan Region (KRG): Documents from universities in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, or Duhok are usually first certified by the Ministry of Higher Education of the Kurdistan Region and then countersigned by the Iraqi Federal Ministry of Education in Baghdad before they are sent abroad. Without this double certification, many authorities reject the application. Note: According to KRG foreign representations, for KRG documents, confirmation by the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR) is sufficient; requirements vary by Federal State — contact your Approbation authority early. (Source: gov.krd)

All documents must be translated into German by a publicly appointed and sworn translator in Germany.

Obtaining documents in difficult situations

Many Iraqi doctors in Germany entered as refugees — some without complete documents, others with diplomas that can no longer be obtained in their home country (conflict areas, destroyed university archives, lack of access to authorities in their hometown).

What works in practice:

• Power of attorney for family or a lawyer in Iraq — the university issues duplicate copies if a notarised power of attorney is provided.
• Direct contact with the university by email — works for most public medical faculties (University of Baghdad, Mosul, Basra, Salahaddin Erbil, University of Sulaimani).
• Consular service of the German Embassy in Baghdad or the German Consulate General in Erbil — can help in individual cases, but does not replace original documents.
• Affidavit — if a document is demonstrably unobtainable, some Approbation authorities accept an affidavit. This is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Important regarding legalisation: Iraq is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This means: there is no apostille. Instead, your documents require consular legalisation — stamps from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by further certification. As of 2026: The Embassy in Baghdad / the Consulate General in Erbil have suspended the legalisation of Iraqi documents with the approval of the Federal Foreign Office; original Iraqi school, training, and university certificates cannot be certified, only copies. As an alternative, many German authorities accept confirmations from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs or — for KRG documents — the DFR. Contact your Approbation authority early about alternative procedures. (Source: irak.diplo.de)

Kenntnisprüfung — what to expect

The KP is an oral-practical exam of about 60–90 minutes, taken before a panel of at least three specialist doctors. Four focus areas are examined: Internal Medicine and Surgery are mandatory, plus two elective subjects (often Emergency Medicine, pharmacology, Radiology, or Psychiatry).

The procedure: patient examination in the hospital, review of records, presentation of the case to the panel, Differential Diagnosis, therapy planning — all in German. The failure rate is high in some Federal States (over 30%). The exam can be repeated twice.

Fachsprachprüfung (FSP)

Before or alongside the KP, you need the Fachsprachprüfung from the responsible medical association. Three parts: Doctor-Patient Conversation (Medical History), written Medical Report, Doctor-Doctor Handover (case handover). Requirement: B2 general German. Content: medical C1.

The FSP is often underestimated — people do not fail because of medical knowledge, but because of pronunciation, German patient communication, and the correct use of Medical Terms instead of Latin original forms.

Typical timeline

Realistic for Iraqi doctors:

• Months 1–3: obtain documents and translations, submit the Approbation application
• Months 3–8: German course B2 → C1, alongside medical specialist vocabulary
• Months 6–10: Fachsprachprüfung
• Months 8–18: apply for Berufserlaubnis, if applicable start in a Hospital (max. 2 years, tied to one employer)
• Months 12–24: Preparation for the Kenntnisprüfung, KP appointment, Approbation

Overall 12–24 months from entry — depending on residence status, Federal State, and personal learning capacity.

Residence status and Approbation

Your residence permit determines how quickly and how independently you may work:

• Recognised refugee (§25(2) AufenthG): full work permit, no visa hurdle. The Approbation procedure runs without additional steps.
• Subsidiary protection: residence for one year, extendable. Work permitted. Approbation possible.
• Asylum procedure ongoing (temporary permission to stay): work permit possible after 3 months, but the Approbation application is often delayed until the procedure is completed.
• Toleration: more difficult, but not impossible — an employment permit is required; after a certain length of stay, a residence permit for professional practice may be granted.
• Work visa / EU Blue Card: the classic route for doctors who come to Germany with a Berufserlaubnis already granted.
• Family reunification: full work permit from the time the visa is issued.

How Kennti supports you

Kennti is a learning platform specifically for doctors from third countries who take the KP and FSP in Germany. What you will find at Kennti: 87 KP simulator cases based on German exam standards, 2,460 flashcards on Internal Medicine, Surgery, Emergency, and pharmacology, 196 German medicines with indications and dosages, 14 free tools (Medical Report generator, Medical History trainer, FSP practice dialogues).

The platform is in German — with Arabic explanations for difficult terms, because we know how the switch from Arabic medical thinking to German hospital language works.

Create a free account at kennti.com/anmelden/ — no Credit Card, no trial subscription.

FAQ

Do I always need the Kenntnisprüfung as an Iraqi doctor? In the vast majority of cases, yes. Direct equivalence is rarely recognised. In individual cases — mostly for specialist doctors with extensive professional experience — an aptitude test may be ordered instead of the KP.

Can I apply for Approbation with an asylum decision? Yes, as soon as you have a residence permit or temporary permission to stay. If the asylum procedure is ongoing, the application is possible, but it is usually processed further only after recognition.

What does the entire procedure cost? Approbation fee €200–€600 (depending on Federal State), translations €800–€2,000, FSP fee approx. €350–€550, KP fee approx. €600–€1,100, German courses €1,500–€5,000. Realistically: €4,000–€10,000 in total.

Are documents from the Kurdistan Region accepted without Baghdad certification? In most Federal States: no. The double certification (KRG ministry + Iraqi federal ministry) is required. Check this before applying with your authority.

May I work as a doctor before Approbation? Yes, with a Berufserlaubnis — a temporary permit (max. 2 years), tied to an employer and a supervisor. Requirement: usually FSP passed, B2 German.

---

Read more

• Kenntnisprüfung 2026 third countries: What will change for foreign doctors from November
• Complete FSP and KP preparation guide for international doctors