Recognition by federal state

Doctor — Niedersachsen

Choose your profession and the federal state where you want to work — you get the exact recognition procedure and competent authority. Data from official German sources.

Competent authority

Niedersächsischer Zweckverband zur Approbationserteilung (NiZzA) – Abteilung 1

Berliner Allee 20 A, 30175 Hannoverabteilung1@nizza.niedersachsen.de0511 8972-9229Official source

Procedure steps

1. Submit application to the competent authority (online, by post or in person).

2. Confirmation of receipt within max 1 month.

3. Equivalence assessment of the foreign qualification.

4. Check of personal requirements — reliability, health, language.

5. Decision within a maximum of 4 months.

6. Compensation measure if not equivalent: for third countries the Kenntnisprüfung (knowledge test) is the rule; Anpassungslehrgang is an alternative.

7. After a successful measure — Approbation.

Language requirements

general B2 + Fachsprachprüfung C1 (usually)

Fees

Approbation up to €430 + Fachsprachprüfung €420

Duration

up to 4 months

Approbation (full licence)

The Approbation is an unrestricted licence to practise independently — the same rights as domestic colleagues. It is granted once the qualification is recognised as equivalent (possibly after passing the Kenntnisprüfung).

Berufserlaubnis (temporary licence)

The Berufserlaubnis is a temporary/restricted permit: work under supervision of a person with Approbation, in a defined area. It can also serve to prepare a compensation measure before full Approbation.

Required documents

Completed application form
Proof of identity (passport / ID card)
Proof of name change (if applicable)
CV
Proof of professional qualification (diplomas)
Proof of content and duration of training (diploma supplement / transcript)
Proof of work experience
Proof of intention to work in Germany
Later (within 3 months): certificate of good conduct (from Germany and home country), medical fitness certificate (max 3 months old), language certificate

> All documents must be translated into German by sworn/authorised translators.

Last checked against official source: 14/07/2026Official source ↗

Information is taken from official German sources and checked regularly. In a specific case, the competent state authority is legally binding. WHR guides you through the entire procedure.

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