Work as a pharmacist in Germany: Approbation steps (2026)

• A completed pharmacy degree that entitles you to practise as a pharmacist in the country where you trained.
• For training outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland: equivalence with German training (five years in total including twelve months of practical training), or a pass in the Kenntnisprüfung.
• General German at B2 (CEFR), unless an exemption applies, and a pass in the pharmacists' Fachsprachprüfung.
• A certificate of good standing or equivalent and a medical certificate of fitness from recent dates, as the authority specifies.
• Proof of your entitlement to practise in the country of training and of your intention to practise in Germany.
• A link to the federal state where you apply, such as a job offer from a pharmacy there, or a ZSBA location note.
• For the Berufserlaubnis in North Rhine-Westphalia: a completed pharmacy degree, a passed language test and an employer confirmation, according to the Apothekerkammer Nordrhein.
• For a visa: usually the section 16d recognition permit while you complete the exams, then the EU Blue Card or a skilled worker permit.

Check your route with the route finder

• ApprobationState licensing authorities (Approbation)

  Doctors, dentists and pharmacists; nurses through professional recognition

  Read the registration guide

1. 1

   1. Learn German to B2 and pharmacy German

   Aim for a B2 certificate from a recognised provider, then pharmacy German for counselling, dispensing and documentation. The Fachsprachprüfung includes a vocabulary test, and the Kenntnisprüfung is an oral exam in German, so spoken fluency matters.
2. 2

   2. Choose a state and authority

   Find the authority for pharmacists in your chosen state with the Recognition Finder at anerkennung-in-deutschland.de. In North Rhine-Westphalia it is the Bezirksregierung Münster, which asks for a job offer or other proof that you intend to work in the state.
3. 3

   3. Prepare your documents

   You need proof of identity, a tabular CV, an officially certified copy of your pharmacy diploma with transcripts and curriculum, proof of your practical training, proof of your licence to practise, a certificate of good standing, a medical certificate and, where you have one, an employer confirmation. The Bezirksregierung Münster requires qualified German translations of all foreign-language documents, including English.
4. 4

   4. Apply for the Approbation and a Berufserlaubnis

   Submit your application to the state authority, and apply for a Berufserlaubnis on the same form if you want to work while preparing for the Kenntnisprüfung. The authority must confirm receipt and list missing documents within one month.
5. 5

   5. Pass the Fachsprachprüfung

   The authority registers you with the pharmacists' chamber. At the Apothekerkammer Nordrhein the test lasts 60 minutes in three parts: a patient consultation, written documentation of it, and a discussion with a pharmacist including a vocabulary test. The fee is €375, there is no limit on attempts, and you get the result straight after the exam.
6. 6

   6. Work under supervision with a Berufserlaubnis

   After the language test you can apply for a Berufserlaubnis. In North Rhine-Westphalia it is valid for two years and lets you work as a pharmacist under supervision in a community or hospital pharmacy, dispensing, counselling and compounding under a licensed pharmacist's responsibility. You cannot run or manage a pharmacy on it.
7. 7

   7. Receive the equivalence decision

   The authority compares your training with German pharmacy training. If it finds substantial differences that your experience does not make up for, it issues a formal decision naming them and setting the extra subject for the Kenntnisprüfung. The BApO requires this decision within four months of complete documents, or two months under the fast-track procedure.
8. 8

   8. Pass the Kenntnisprüfung

   An oral exam on one day covering pharmaceutical practice, special areas of law for pharmacists and one subject chosen by the authority, lasting 30 to 60 minutes per candidate, before a commission of three. You can repeat it twice. The Apothekerkammer Nordrhein offers free online training sessions to prepare.
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   9. Receive the Approbation and join the chamber

   When all conditions are met the authority issues the Approbation, valid throughout Germany, and charges its fee (€150 to €700 in North Rhine-Westphalia). You then join the pharmacists' chamber of the state where you work.

• Fachsprachprüfung for pharmacists

  Run by the state pharmacists' chamber after the authority registers you. At the Apothekerkammer Nordrhein it is based on level C1 and lasts 60 minutes in three parts: a patient-pharmacist consultation, written documentation of the consultation, and a pharmacist-pharmacist discussion with a vocabulary test. There is no maximum number of attempts.

  Read the guide

• Kenntnisprüfung for pharmacists

  Under section 22d AAppO, an oral state exam on one day, in German, covering pharmaceutical practice and special areas of law for pharmacists, plus one subject set by the authority where it found substantial differences. It usually takes place as an individual exam, with up to four candidates possible, and lasts 30 to 60 minutes per candidate. It should be offered at least twice a year and can be repeated twice.

  Read the guide

• Eignungsprüfung (aptitude test)

  For pharmacists trained in the EU, EEA or Switzerland whose qualifications are not automatically recognised and show substantial differences, under section 22c AAppO. It covers the subjects where differences were found.

• Germany does not accept IELTS or OET for pharmacists. The requirement is German.
• General German: the Apothekerkammer Nordrhein says a B2 certificate is required, and the Bezirksregierung Münster says it should come from a recognised language provider.
• Professional German: the Fachsprachprüfung, which the Apothekerkammer Nordrhein describes as based on level C1.
• The Apothekerkammer Nordrhein lists exemptions, for example if German is your native language, you completed your education in German or you had at least ten years of schooling in German.
• The Kenntnisprüfung is oral and in German, so counselling and legal terminology need to be strong.

Estimate your total cost

• Receipt of application: confirmed within one month, with missing documents listed.
• Equivalence decision: within four months of complete documents under section 4 BApO, or two months under the fast-track procedure.
• Fachsprachprüfung: the result is given immediately after the exam at the Apothekerkammer Nordrhein.
• Kenntnisprüfung: offered at least twice a year, with the invitation sent at least seven days before the exam.
• Berufserlaubnis: up to two years in total, so plan to pass the Kenntnisprüfung within that time.

There is no statutory national pay scale for pharmacists in Germany that we could confirm from an official table. Pay in community pharmacies is set by the employer, in many cases with reference to a collective agreement between pharmacy employers and employees' representatives; hospital pharmacists are paid under the hospital's collective agreement. Check which agreement your contract refers to and which pay group you are placed in.

• Community pharmacies are the largest employers. A job offer from a pharmacy can prove that the authority is responsible for your case and supports your Berufserlaubnis.
• Hospital pharmacies employ pharmacists for supply, compounding and clinical services; in North Rhine-Westphalia pharmacists under supervision may work in community or hospital pharmacies.
• The pharmaceutical industry, wholesalers and public authorities also employ pharmacists; some of these roles do not require the Approbation, but many do.
• The Bezirksregierung Münster provides an employer confirmation form (Anlage 6) for pharmacists, which your future employer completes.
• Some employers use the recognition partnership under section 16d(3) of the Residence Act, letting you work while you complete recognition.
• Running or managing a pharmacy requires the Approbation; it is not possible on a Berufserlaubnis.

• If you still have to pass the Fachsprachprüfung or Kenntnisprüfung, use the visa for the recognition of foreign qualifications (section 16d). Make it in Germany says it is granted for up to 24 months, extendable by 12 months to a maximum of three years, and usually needs German at about A2 and proof of funds.
• On a section 16d permit you may work up to 20 hours a week in any job, and without an hours limit in work related to your profession if the Federal Employment Agency approves.
• Once you hold the Approbation or a Berufserlaubnis and a job offer, the EU Blue Card is possible. Make it in Germany lists pharmacists as a shortage occupation, with a 2026 threshold of €45,934.20 gross a year with Federal Employment Agency approval.
• A skilled worker permit under section 18b is the alternative. For regulated professions, the licence to practise must be obtained before a residence permit for employment is issued.
• The national visa fee is €75. Your employer can speed things up with the fast-track procedure for skilled workers (€411, paid by the employer).
• Your spouse and children can usually join you, and spouses of skilled workers do not need to prove German.

1. 1

   A pharmacy degree from a GCC university is third-country training. Expect a full equivalence assessment and, often, the Kenntnisprüfung in pharmaceutical practice and German pharmacy law. A DHA, DOH, MOHAP, SCFHS, QCHP, OMSB, KIMS or NHRA licence does not replace the Approbation.

2. 2

   Programme length matters: German training is five years including twelve months' practical training. Gulf PharmD and BPharm programmes differ in length and internship, so include detailed transcripts and internship certificates.

3. 3

   Experience: professional experience gained in any country can make up for substantial differences. Ask Gulf employers for detailed work certificates covering dispensing, counselling and compounding.

4. 4

   Law is new ground: the Kenntnisprüfung tests German pharmacy law, which differs from Gulf regulations. Use the chamber's training sessions and the published guidance on pharmacy practice.

5. 5

   Good standing and translations: obtain certificates of good standing from every Gulf regulator you were licensed with, close to submission, and have all Arabic and English documents translated by a qualified translator.

6. 6

   Working under supervision: a Berufserlaubnis lets you gain German community or hospital pharmacy experience while preparing for the Kenntnisprüfung, which many Gulf pharmacists find the fastest way to build German practice knowledge.

• Application plan with every step, fee and deadline

• Document checklist tailored to you, and a review of each document before upload

• Timeline built around the regulator's closure windows and document validity periods

• Help completing the application forms accurately and consistently

• Support with profession-specific evidence, such as the HCPC standards of proficiency mapping

• Guidance on certificates of good standing, references and certified translations

• Preparation for identity checks and declarations on health and character

• Tracking your application and help responding to regulator requests

• Next steps after the decision: exams, adaptation, PIN or licence and your first job

Regulators make all registration decisions and set all fees. Our fee is separate from the regulator's fees, exam fees and translation costs.

What our registration and licensing support includesPackages and fees