Germany's law to accelerate recognition of foreign health-profession qualifications is now on the statute book and takes effect on 1 November 2026. For dentists, doctors, pharmacists and midwives trained outside the EU/EEA, the direct Kenntnisprüfung becomes the standard route to Approbation, with the document-based Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung offered only as an option. Because the file is no longer assessed document by document, the law removes the need for extensive translations, copies and certifications of training records. The stated purpose of the change is to reduce documentation requirements.
Bundesländer may now test German language competence before the professional-qualification step, authorities may exchange data electronically, and a Berufserlaubnis may in exceptional cases be granted without a time limit. The detailed exam design still has to be written into the ZApprO, and per-state implementation guidance has not yet been issued.
