In comparison to other countries, Germany has a highly effective healthcare system. Using the latest treatment methods and modern medical instruments allows for a high level of care. A dense network of hospitals and local doctors ensure that patients swiftly receive the medical services necessary for them. The ongoing digitalisation in the healthcare sector continues to reveal new opportunities for medical care. Thus, data in electronic patient files is rapidly available and access to digital healthcare applications and telemedicine can be established. This testifies to the great innovative power of the German healthcare sector and its dynamic economic sector. With over 5.7 million employees, the public health service is also a crucial resource for employment; the number of employees has been steadily increasing for years. As of right now, over 400,000 doctors make sure that patients are well cared for.
Your career as a doctor in Germany
A new generation of medical personnel is urgently required in Germany. The demand will continue to grow in the years to come – especially since many physicians in hospitals will be retiring. When it comes to local doctors, general practitioners as well as family doctors are in demand. Many doctors can no longer find a successor to take over their practice, namely in eastern Germany and in rural areas.
At the same time, the number of international doctors working in Germany has more than doubled within the last decade. In 2019 alone, 9,309 foreign doctors applied to have their foreign qualification recognized as an equivalent to a German qualification. This puts doctors in second place among the occupations with the highest number of applications, next to other health care workers and nursing staff.
As a doctor in Germany, there are a wide range of career opportunities available to you. For instance, you may work in hospitals, clinics, healthcare centres, geriatric care services or home care services where you will most likely work as an employee. You could also work independently as a local doctor in your own medical facility. In addition, there are other professional fields such as in medical research and teaching, in public health departments, health insurance companies or in the private sector, e.g. as a scientist in medical technology or the pharmaceutical industry. Out of all academic fields in Germany, doctors earn the highest salaries.