Doctor CV for Germany
For doctor jobs in Germany, lead with Approbation (or Berufserlaubnis) and Ärztekammer membership. Employers usually expect a CV on A4 paper, most recent experience first. Length: no strict page limit for clinical and academic CVs, which list posts, publications and courses in full. A photo, the date of birth and nationality are usually included, but optional. Many CVs there end with place, date and signature.
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Registration and licences
| Doctors | Approbation (or Berufserlaubnis) and Ärztekammer membership |
|---|
Put it near the top of the CV. If you are still applying, list it with the status “In progress” and the date you applied. Confirm current requirements with the regulator before you apply.
In the EU/EEA, this profession has automatic recognition under Directive 2005/36/EC: mention recognition of your diploma (or that it is in progress).
Sections to include
| Section (in this order) | How important | Heading in German |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Recommended | Kurzprofil |
| Registration & licences | Expected | Zertifikate & Zulassungen |
| Experience | Expected | Berufserfahrung |
| Education | Expected | Ausbildung |
| Courses & CPD | Recommended | Weiterbildung |
| Clinical skills | Recommended | Kenntnisse |
| Publications & presentations | Recommended | Publikationen |
| References | Recommended | Referenzen |
Length: No strict page limit for clinical and academic CVs: list posts, publications and courses in full.
Personal details in Germany
| What it is called | Lebenslauf (usually written in German or English) |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 pages (tabular) |
| Paper size | A4 |
| Layout | Tabular, dates in a left column |
| Order | Most recent first |
| Dates | Numeric (MM/YYYY) |
| Photo | Usually included |
| Date of birth | Usually included |
| Nationality | Usually included |
| Marital status | Optional |
| Right to work / visa status | Optional |
| References | Leave referees off the CV; have a list ready |
| Explain gaps longer than | 3 months |
| At the end | Place, date and signature |
Key facts
- Practising medicine in Germany requires an Approbation (or a temporary Berufserlaubnis) under the Federal Medical Code (BÄO). Source: gesetze-im-internet.de
- In the EU, doctors' basic medical qualifications listed in Directive 2005/36/EC are recognised automatically across member states. Source: employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu
- Germany's General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) aims to prevent discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic origin, sex, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual identity, including in recruitment. Source: gesetze-im-internet.de
- Germany's Federal Employment Agency says a photo is not required in a job application, although many employers still expect one. Source: arbeitsagentur.de
- In Germany, foreign qualifications for regulated professions such as medicine and nursing must be formally recognised (Anerkennung) before you can practise. Source: anerkennung-in-deutschland.de
Facts checked 2026-10-15.
Tips
- Put your medical registration and licence number near the top.
- List rotations with specialty, grade, hospital and dates.
- Audit, QI, teaching and research are expected even at junior level.
- Life-support courses (BLS/ALS/ATLS/APLS) belong under courses.
- Postgraduate exams (e.g. MRCP, USMLE steps, FRACP) go under education with the date passed.
- Add a teaching line under each post, or list teaching under projects.
- A tabular CV with dates on the left (MM/YYYY) and the newest first is standard.
- A professional photo is still common, but no law requires one, and under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) employers may not discriminate on grounds a photo or birth date can reveal; CVs without them are widely accepted.
- End with place, date and signature.
- Instead of referees, attach references from past employers (Arbeitszeugnisse) and certificates.
- Gaps of more than 2–3 months are usually explained.
Questions
What registration do doctors need on a CV in Germany?
Doctors applying in Germany should show Approbation (or Berufserlaubnis) and Ärztekammer membership near the top of the CV, with the registration number and status. If you are still applying, list it with the status “In progress”. Put it in its own section, above your experience. Requirements change, so confirm the current rules with the regulator before you apply.
Should a doctor CV for Germany have a photo?
Usually, yes. A professional photo is common on a doctor CV in Germany, although it is rarely required and many employers accept CVs without one. If you include it, use a recent head-and-shoulders picture with a plain, light background and business clothing, placed in the header next to your name. A professional photo is still common, but no law requires one, and under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) employers may not discriminate on grounds a photo or birth date can reveal; CVs without them are widely accepted.
How long should a doctor CV be in Germany?
There is no strict limit for a doctor CV in Germany. Clinical and academic CVs list posts, registration, courses, audits and publications in full, so they are longer than the 2 pages usual for other jobs there. Keep it well organised, with the strongest evidence on the first page. CV Atlas warns you when the CV runs longer than usual.
What sections does a doctor CV for Germany need?
A doctor CV for Germany needs your contact details, experience, education and registration and licences, plus the place, date and signature at the end. In the header, include a professional photo, your date of birth and your nationality. Put the most recent role first and describe each post with the setting, scope and results. CV Atlas applies this structure when you choose the job and the country, and its readiness check lists anything missing.
Can I use my qualification from another EU country in Germany?
Usually, yes. Doctors have automatic recognition of qualifications across the EU, the EEA and Switzerland under Directive 2005/36/EC, so mention that your diploma is recognised in Germany, or that recognition is in progress. You still need to register with the authority in Germany before you start work, and you may need to show language skills. Confirm the process and timescales with the competent authority before applying.
Related guides
General guides: CVs for Germany and Medicine (doctors) CVs in any country.
Other jobs in Germany: Nurse, Dentist, Pharmacist, Allied health, Teacher, Engineer, Lawyer, Accountant, Electrician and trades, Care worker, Childcare worker, Social worker, Software engineer.
Doctor CVs for other countries: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Sweden, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Singapore, Japan.
Start your doctor CVYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Guidance checked October 2026; facts checked 2026-10-15. General information for most employers, not legal or immigration advice. A job advert’s own instructions always come first. CV Atlas is not affiliated with any regulator or professional body named.