Germany — Work (Doctors and nurses: recognition route (§16d))

Main requirements

Medicine and nursing are regulated professions in Germany; you cannot work without a licence (for doctors Approbation or Berufsausübungserlaubnis). A German recognition authority either grants the licence or issues a 'Defizitbescheid' listing the courses or exams you still need. With a licence you can apply directly for a skilled-worker visa or even a Blue Card. With a Defizitbescheid the embassy issues a recognition visa (§16d) to close the gaps in Germany; this stay is generally limited to 18 months. Side work over 20 hours/week is only allowed if related to your future profession.

Documents

Doctors (embassy list): Defizitbescheid; proof of the adaptation measure (adaptation course contract, enrolment in a course preparing for the medical-chamber Fachsprachenprüfung, or registration for that exam); German at least B1; medical degree and transcripts with German translation certified by the Iranian MFA; Iranian Medical Council membership certificate with official translation (no legalisation needed); motivation letter and CV in German; health insurance; EUR 75 cash. Nurses and similar: Defizitbescheid or partial-equivalence decision; proof of adaptation course or in-company training plan; for in-company measures a BA or fast-track pre-approval; German at least B1; other documents as above.

Language

The embassy says that even if you will attend a language course in Germany you must show at least B1 German from an accepted provider (Goethe, telc, ÖSD, ECL, TestDaF) when applying. For doctors the official portal anerkennung-in-deutschland.de requires general German at B2 and usually a medical language exam (Fachsprachenprüfung) at C1 at the state medical chamber; for nurses and other professions the state recognition authority sets the level.

Costs and proof of funds

School-based measures such as language courses need EUR 13,092/year (EUR 1,091/month); this figure appears both on the Tehran page and in the Federal Foreign Office 2026 table (Pristina embassy page). For in-company adaptation the Tehran page states a gross annual salary of at least EUR 13,596 (2025 figure), while the 2026 table gives EUR 1,200 gross per month for employment starting from 1 September 2025; check with the embassy before signing. Proof via employment contract, blocked account, declaration of commitment, or Sperrkontoerklärung with bank statement. Visa EUR 75 cash. Recognition, exam and course fees are separate and vary by state.

Steps and timeline

Apply from Iran to the recognition authority of your target state and obtain a Defizitbescheid or licence. Per the embassy (2026-10-14): for doctors (§16d) appointments currently go only to people on the old list as of 18 January 2026, then to the new list 'NEW National visa: Recognition of qualification for physicians'; doctors' families register separately on the family-reunion list. Medical and care professions with a BA pre-approval (Medical and Care Professions list) or §81a fast-track are currently getting appointments.

Notes for Iranian applicants

Translate and certify degrees and Medical Council certificates early; recognition is usually the longest part. Doctors and nurses with service obligations must sort out degree release. Iranian airspace is closed per the embassy (2026-10-14).

After arrival (work while studying, post-study stay, path to permanent residence)

Once licensed you switch to a skilled-worker permit (§18a) or, for doctors, a Blue Card (doctors are a shortage occupation). Per the BA, Blue Card holders with German B1 can get settlement after 21 months.