Syrian Doctors are currently the largest group of foreign medical professionals in Germany — over 7,000 colleagues work in German Hospitals and Medical Practices. However, the path to German Approbation is particularly challenging for us from Syria: destroyed university archives, an embassy with limited services, missing apostilles, and a Recognition Procedure that will be fundamentally restructured from 2026. This Guide compiles what you, as a Syrian Doctor, truly need to know in 2026 — without bureaucratic jargon, from Doctor to Doctor.
Recognition of Syrian Medical Studies
Syrian Medical Studies (شهادة دكتور في الطب البشري, six years + mandatory internal years) are generally recognized in Germany as foreign medical training — but not automatically as equivalent. The responsible Approbation authority of the respective Federal State (e.g., LANUV NRW, LAGeSo Berlin, Bezirksregierung in Bavaria) conducts an Equivalency Examination of your documents.
Important to know: Previously, the Kenntnisprüfung could be waived if equivalency was proven. However, with the reform of the Heilberufe-Anerkennungsgesetz, the Kenntnisprüfung will become the standard procedure — the mere document review will only remain an exception. For Syrian Doctors, this is usually already the reality, as complete, legalized documents from Syria are rarely obtainable.
Required Documents
The German authorities generally require the following documents — all translated into German by a publicly appointed and sworn translator in Germany:
- Medical diploma (شهادة التخرج) in original + certified copy
- Transcript of Records (كشف العلامات) for all academic years
- Curriculum of the home university (preferably with number of hours)
- Birth certificate (إخراج قيد فردي or شهادة ميلاد)
- Police clearance certificate (شهادة عدم محكومية), not older than 3 months
- Medical health certificate for professional practice
- Proof of identity (passport + residence permit, if applicable)
- Proof of German language proficiency B2 (general) — C1 or Fachsprachprüfung follows later
- Complete chronological CV
Special case Syria: Since Syria is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, a simple apostille is not possible. Instead, a chain of legalization is required: certification by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs → certification by the German Embassy. Although the German Embassy Damascus was symbolically reopened on March 20, 2025, responsibility for legalizations of Syrian documents, according to the current leaflet (as of February 2026), remains with the German Embassy Beirut — submission is via the service provider VFS Global, fee €32 per document, processing approx. 6 weeks by mail. (Source: beirut.diplo.de). Some Federal States accept affidavits plus DAAD emergency program certificates in hardship cases.
Kenntnisprüfung — the mandatory path
As of July 1, 2026 (Bundestag resolution of March 26, 2026), the Kenntnisprüfung (KP) will become the standard path for Approbation. For Syrian Doctors, this means: firmly plan for the KP, not for a mere Equivalency Examination.
The KP is an oral-practical examination covering the scope of the Second Section of the Medical Examination (State Examination). The following are examined:
- Internal Medicine (main focus)
- Surgery (main focus)
- one to two elective subjects (e.g., Emergency Medicine, pharmacology, Radiology — depending on the Federal State)
Format: approx. 60–90 minutes at the patient’s bedside + case presentation + specialist discussion before an Examination Committee of three examiners. Reliable nationwide pass rates for 2026 are not yet officially available; widespread estimates speak of a first-attempt rate of around 40%, with significant differences depending on the Federal State and Examination Committee. You have a total of three Attempts.
Fachsprachprüfung (FSP)
Parallel to the KP, you must pass the Fachsprachprüfung of the Medical Chamber — this is the medical language examination at C1 level. Three parts of 20 minutes each:
- Doctor-Patient Conversation (History Taking in German)
- Doctor-Doctor Communication (Handover, case presentation)
- Documentation (writing a Medical Report)
Without a passed FSP, no Approbation — not even with a passed KP. We recommend that Syrian colleagues master at least C1 medical German confidently before taking the FSP.
Typical Timeline
Realistic planning from application to Approbation:
- Month 0–3: Document procurement Syria + legalization Beirut
- Month 3–6: Translations + application to the Approbation authority
- Month 6–9: German course B2 → C1, parallel Berufserlaubnis (temporary employment as a Resident Doctor possible)
- Month 9–12: FSP Preparation + examination
- Month 12–18: KP Preparation + examination
- Month 18–24: Approbation certificate
With a Berufserlaubnis, you can usually work as a Doctor under supervision after 9–12 months — and earn a salary while preparing for KP and FSP.
Common Challenges for Syrian Doctors
- University archives partially destroyed or inaccessible — curriculum evidence often only reconstructable via fellow students or DAAD emergency program
- Chain of legalization via Beirut costs time (4–8 weeks) and money (several hundred euros)
- Visa only via German Embassy Beirut (no German representation in Damascus anymore)
- Long Waiting Periods for KP Appointments: in Berlin, NRW, Hesse sometimes 12+ months
- Language barrier medical German: everyday German at B2 is not enough — FSP often fails due to History Taking vocabulary and Medical Report style
- Financial pressure during Waiting Period without Berufserlaubnis
How Kennti supports you
Kennti is the only learning platform specifically developed for the German Kenntnisprüfung and FSP — with Syrian, Arabic, and German colleagues as instructors. What you get:
- Structured KP Course according to the real examination format (Internal Medicine, Surgery, Emergency, Pharma)
- FSP Simulation with real History Taking + Medical Report training
- Live Course 2026 with weekly sessions + WhatsApp group for direct Questions
- Arabic explanations if needed — you don’t have to understand everything in German to learn the material
- Experience reports from Syrian colleagues who have already passed their KP
FAQ
Do I need B2 or C1 for Approbation?
For the Approbation application, B2 is sufficient. For the FSP, you actually need C1 medical German. Plan for the jump from B2 → C1 medical German with at least 3–6 months.
Can I work as a Doctor in Germany without Approbation?
Yes — with a Berufserlaubnis (§ 10 BÄO) you can work temporarily (usually 2 years) as a Resident Doctor under supervision. This is the standard path while you prepare for KP and FSP.
What happens if my Syrian documents are no longer obtainable?
Several Federal States accept affidavits + DAAD emergency program certificates + alternative proofs (Hospital confirmations, colleague statements) in documented hardship cases. Specifically inquire with your Approbation authority about hardship regulations.
How many attempts do I have for the Kenntnisprüfung?
Three Attempts nationwide. If you fail three times, German Approbation is generally denied — across all Federal States.
Is the path financially worthwhile?
Yes. Resident Doctor salary in Germany: approx. €5,200–€5,800 gross/month (TV-Ärzte collective agreement). Specialists: €7,000–€9,500. The investment in documents, Courses, and examinations (totaling approx. €5,000–€10,000) pays for itself in the first year.
إذا كنت طبيب سوري وعم تحضّر للـ Approbation بألمانيا، Kennti منصة معمولة بالضبط إلك. منعرف شو يعني توقف سنة بسبب ورقة من الجامعة، ومنعرف صعوبة الـ FSP لما تكون اللغة الطبية مو لغتك الأم. كورساتنا بتغطي الـ Kenntnisprüfung والـ Fachsprachprüfung خطوة بخطوة، مع شرح عربي لما يلزم وزملاء سوريين سبقوك بالطريق.
