Mid-tier processing · #11 of 17
Approbation in Berlin
LAGeSo · Berlin · Last verified
Processing
6–14 months
Drittstaat realistic range
Approbation
€430
Issuing-authority fee
FSP exam
€550
Chamber fee
Processing time
What Berlin says vs what applicants report.
Official (authority source)
Approx. 3–4 months if documents are complete (LAGeSo target); LAGeSo itself states 6–11 months for Drittstaat, 'often considerably longer'
Source: magazin.aekb.de
Community / reported
At end of 2024: 676 Berufserlaubnis cases and 1,332 Approbation cases in progress; ~2,000 doctors waiting, at least half longer than one year (Berlin Senate Drs. 19/20633, Nov 2024)
Verified 12 May 2026. Plan for 6–14 months end-to-end.
Where to apply
Two different bodies.
FSP chamber (separate body)
Ärztekammer Berlin
Direct registration — candidates register with the chamber directly.
How it works
The process in Berlin.
The Approbation authority in Berlin is LAGeSo (Turmstraße 21, 10559 Berlin), not the Ärztekammer — the Ärztekammer Berlin only runs the FSP. Fee: €430 with Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung; €250 for direct Kenntnisprüfung route (Berlin Senate parliamentary inquiry Drs. 19/11713). Beglaubigungen only by Berlin Bürgerämter, notaries, or German embassies. The Führungszeugnis must be addressed specifically to LAGeSo — a procedural detail that delays many applications when missed.
Required documents
What LAGeSo expects in your file.
- 01Medical degree (original + certified copy)
- 02Transcript of records
- 03Home-country licence / Approbation
- 04Passport
- 05CV in tabular form
- 06B2 general German certificate
- 07Police clearance (apostilled or legalised, addressed to: LAGeSo IV A 113/IV A 114)
- 08Health fitness certificate
- 09Sworn translations of non-German documents — by German-based sworn translators only
Verify the current list with LAGeSo before submitting — requirements change without public notice.
FSP in Berlin
€550 at Ärztekammer Berlin.
Three-part oral exam (~20 min each): patient history-taking, written Arztbrief, physician-to-physician handover. Panel of two examiners; standardised rubric.
Scheduling: Registration online via Ärztekammer Berlin after LAGeSo Eingangsbestätigung. FSP fee €550 by bank transfer; invitation after payment.
Prepare for the FSP
What to know
Before you apply.
Apply for a Berufserlaubnis in parallel — Berlin processes these faster than the Approbation backlog. The 3–4 month official target is the LAGeSo's legal obligation, not the lived reality: with ~2,000 cases in the queue at year-end 2024, plan for 12+ months. Online application is available but only if your training was completed in Berlin; otherwise apply by post.
FAQ
Frequently asked.
How long does an Approbation application take in Berlin?+
LAGeSo states: "Approx. 3–4 months if documents are complete (LAGeSo target); LAGeSo itself states 6–11 months for Drittstaat, 'often considerably longer'". Community/reported data: At end of 2024: 676 Berufserlaubnis cases and 1,332 Approbation cases in progress; ~2,000 doctors waiting, at least half longer than one year (Berlin Senate Drs. 19/20633, Nov 2024). Last verified 12 May 2026.
What does the Approbation cost in Berlin?+
The Approbation fee is €430. The FSP exam costs an additional €550 at Ärztekammer Berlin. Additional costs typically include sworn translations (€500–1,500), apostilles, and document procurement.
Who issues the Approbation in Berlin?+
The Approbation authority is LAGeSo — Landesprüfungsamt für Gesundheitsberufe, based in Berlin. Note that the FSP is run separately by Ärztekammer Berlin — these are two different bodies.
Where do I take the FSP for Berlin?+
Ärztekammer Berlin. Three-part oral exam (~20 min each): patient history-taking, written Arztbrief, physician-to-physician handover. Panel of two examiners; standardised rubric.
Can I apply for Approbation in Berlin online?+
Yes — Berlin accepts online applications. Some supporting documents may still need to be sent by post.
Neighbours by speed
Faster & slower than Berlin.
Specialist referrals
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