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
Need a lawyer or sworn translator for Berlin?
We can refer immigration lawyers and Germany-based sworn translators who handle Berlin files regularly.