German hospitals have had to contend with a shortage of physicians for quite a number of years now. There is a need throughout Germany for several thousand additional physicians. This demand will continue to rise in coming years, particularly as many hospital physicians are soon due to enter retirement.

In the field of private practice, there is primarily a need for general practitioners, particularly in eastern Germany and rural areas, where there are often difficulties recruiting physicians to fill practices as they become vacant. These shortages will soon spread to other regions of Germany and other areas of specialization, since here, too, many physicians are due to retire in coming years.

As of April 2012, if you have completed your medical training in a foreign country, you are eligible to receive a medical license in Germany, regardless of whether you are from an EU or a non-EU – provided that the training is equivalent to the German medical training.

Pre tax income & after tax income of German hospital doctors

Stufe Career level Pre-tax salary in € PerMonth Brutto After-tax salary in € permonth Netto
From Till From Till
1 0-3 Years Of Professional Experience 3.885 4.813 2.385 2.875
2 3-5 Years Of Professional Experience 4.440 5.750 2.683 3.331
3 5-8 Years Of Professional Experience 5.331 7.093 3.600 4.746
4 8-12 Years Of Professional Experience 6.626 10.279 4.439 6.681