In recent years, Germany has become a popular destination for skilled workers and immigrants. The government has paved the way to bring skilled workers and welcomes them. They need dentists due to aging populations and the retirement of dentists. You can immigrate to Germany as a dentist if you are qualified. This Visa Library article will provide all you should know.
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ToggleRequirements to immigrate to Germany as a dentist
This section brings you the general requirements to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. But you might need other requirements, & it’s up to your conditions and the country you get your degree.
A valid dental degree
You can study for a dental degree in Germany, but if you want to immigrate to Germany as a dentist, you need a valid diploma or degree.
It must be valid in your home country and approved by German officials.
Validation of degree with the German Dental Association
If you get your diploma or degree in a foreign country, you must pass the recognition process and validate your degree with the German Dental Association.
You must send them your degree and other supporting documents. They assess them and tell you can work as a dentist in Germany.
German language fluency
You need language fluency to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. You should begin working on your language skills and improve it to pass the stages. It’s good that you are fluent in English. But you need German language fluency to immigrate there as a dentist.
Further studies, Internship, exams
The recognition process and stages you must pass depend on where you get your degree. You might have to study a course, pass an internship or exams to immigrate to Germany as a dentist.
German officials will inform you of the stages you must pass. But you should prepare yourself to pass them.
A job offer from a German employer
If you are a non-EU national, you need a work permit to work in Germany. You should check the working rules for dentists in the province to work. The dental license might let you work as a dentist there.
Only a German employer can apply for a work permit. So you must find a job offer from an employer willing to hire you.
A license from the local dental officials
You need a license from the local dental officials to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. You should find out how to apply to them and get this license.
A work permit from the German immigration officials
If you are a non-EU national, you need a work permit to work in Germany. Only a German employer can apply for a work permit. So you must find one willing to hire you are a dentist.
You can find ways to find a job in Germany in the below section.
Required certificate to immigrate to Germany as a dentist
Germany is strict on people who study abroad and wants to move there. If you want to immigrate to Germany as a dentist, you need these certificates:
- A valid dental degree or diploma.
- German language fluency certificate
- Validation of your degree and documents
- A license from the local officials.
- A work permit.
How to immigrate to Germany as a dentist?
You must follow a few steps to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. Remember that you might have to pass another stage by your nationality and the country you get your degree.
Step 1. Work on your German language fluency
You need German language fluency to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. It’s necessary to prove your German language fluency and get the required certificate as you will be working with German people who speak this language. So you need German language fluency to understand people and interact with them.
You might have to pass exams like TestDaF or DSH. You need German language fluency to pass these tests.
Step 2. Pass the recognition and validation
If you study and get your degree in a foreign country, you must pass the recognition process and validate your degree in Germany. It’s necessary to contact the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen, ZAB) and send them your supporting documents. They assess your application and determine whether you are eligible to work as a dentist in Germany. The process often gets called approbation as well.
Step 3. Pass the validation stages
You must pass other steps depending on the German officials’ decision. For instance, you might have to pass:
- Exams,
- Additional courses,
- Language tests.
- Internship
- Etc.
After you pass all of these stages, you must apply for a license from German officials. You can only work as a dentist in Germany after you get your license.
Then you should register with the Dental Chamber (Zahnärztekammer) in the province you want to work in.
Step 4. Apply for a job offer and a work permit
After you get your license and register with the local officials, you should look for a job offer with a German employer. If you are an EU national, you do not need a work permit. But if you are a non-EU national, you need a work permit to work legally in Germany.
The German company or employer can only apply for a work permit, so you must find an employer willing to hire you. It’s a long and tedious process and takes a few years.
You’d better research the specific requirements with the German Dental Association (Bundeszahnärztekammer) in the province you want to work in or contact them to learn all the details.
Can I work in Germany as a foreign dentist?
Yes, you can immigrate to Germany as a dentist and work as a foreign person. But if you get your degree in a foreign country and not in Germany, you must pass the validation process and get your degree recognized.
No matter where you studied, it’s necessary to pass the recognition and get a license to work as a foreign dentist in Germany.
You can learn more about the validation process in the above section. The stages you must follow are up to your nationality and where you get your degree.
Is Germany a good destination for dentists?
The answer depends on your preferences and the purpose of immigration. But Germany is a popular destination for immigrants and skilled workers. It is famous for its well-established and renowned healthcare system. Dental care is one of its essential parts. So the constant demand for dental health is ensured, and dentists will have an excellent career future.
The high living standard and strong economy provide an excellent lifestyle with modern facilities and cutting-edge technologies.
Low cost to free and high-standard education system allows you to continue your studies and develop career prospects. Rigorous and comprehensive training develops skilled dentists in various fields.
You can take part in so many dental conferences, seminars, and workshops to update your knowledge and skills.
If you love traveling, you access all of Europe visa-free with a short flight or drive. The rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse landscapes make it an enticing place to live and work.
But you need German language fluency and pass the validation process. It might be a bit hard to pass the stages.
Is dentistry in demand in Germany?
Germany is highly in demand of dentists. The aging population and retirement of current dentists increase the demand. The demand is higher in rural areas as more people need to take care of their teeth, and fewer dentists tend to move to these remote areas. Retired people can spend on their oral health and improve it.
You can work in different centers:
- private practices,
- hospitals,
- dental clinics,
- research institutions
If you like the academic field, you can find job positions in education centers and industry. You can contribute to developing new treatments and technologies and understanding oral diseases. You need German language fluency, and the area you work in
often doesn’t matter. The better your language skills, the higher your job opportunities.
The private sector is active and looking for skilled dentists. You might be able to establish your dental office. But you need time and money to set up your clinic.
Whatever your career options are, you should check the local rules and regulations to make sure you can do it.
Do dentists in Germany speak English?
The young generation of dentists and those who work in urban areas speak English and might understand you. The level of English fluency varies by region and dentist’s skills and background. You can find dentists who speak English.
You might have difficulty finding an English-speaking dentist in towns or smaller areas. You might need an interpreter to receive dental services if you do not know any German.
If you want to know whether you can immigrate to Germany as a dentist with English-speaking skills, you need German language fluency. The recognition or validation process requires German language fluency. If you are determined, you’d better work on your German language fluency and improve it.
How long does it take to immigrate and work in Germany as a dentist?
The answer depends on the way to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. Completing a dental degree in Germany takes 4-6 years. Then you must pass the residency and exams to get your license which could take up to one year or longer.
If you get your degree in a foreign country, the validation process could take 2-3 years. You must work on your German language fluency skills, submit your documents to German dental associations, and pass the exams, residency, or studies. Then you must find a job offer and apply for a work permit.
The process is long and tedious. You’d better prepare a plan to know the roadmap and avoid any unwanted obstacles.
Related jobs for dentists in Germany
Germany needs skilled dentists due to the aging population, the rise in immigrants, and the retirements of current dentists. Also, the strong medical industry requires skilled dentists in R&D. We have not forgotten that a German company developed Pfizer.
There are various places and job positions where you can work as a dentist in Germany. These are some of the related positions for you to work in Germany:
- Dental Researcher
- Dental Public Health Specialist
- Academic/Teaching Positions
- Dental Consultant
- Dental Sales Representative
- Dental Specialist
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Clinic Management
All in all, dentists have different versatile job options in Germany. You should improve your language skills and keep looking to find the job you want.
Salary of dentist in Germany
Your salary as a dentist in Germany depends on so many factors:
- Education
- Language fluency skills
- The company/center you work with
- The city or town you work in
- Positions
- Tasks and responsibilities
- How big the center is
- Etc.
According to Salary Expert, the average salary of a dentist in Germany is about €119.429 per year. It says a dentist with 1-3 years of work experience can earn about €81.646 per year, while a dentist with +8 years of work experience earns about €149.806 per year.
According to Salary Explorer, the average salary of a dentist in Germany is about 8,660 EUR. It says the lowest salary is about 3,980 EUR, while the highest salary is about 13,800 EUR per month.
Payscale says that the average salary is about 51,000 € per year.
World Salaries says that the average annual salary is about 102,620 EUR per year.
Best cities to work as a dentist in Germany
You should know one point before you want to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. Job opportunities are better and higher in small cities and rural areas. You can live a quiet, peaceful life and earn a good salary.
This is a list of small and popular cities in Germany. You can find a job as a dentist in them better compared with other cities.
- Quedlinburg
- Cochem
- Görlitz
- Rottach-Egern
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber
- Bacharach
- Füssen
- Marburg
- Bamberg
But you might be able to get a job in large cities. So you can try your chance.
Can foreign dentists work in Germany?
Yes, foreign dentists can work in Germany as long as they have a license from the Dental Association. You must apply to them and submit the required documents. They decide whether you can work as a dentist in Germany.
Look at the above section to know the requirements and procedure and the items you have to fulfill.
How much does a beginner dentist earn in Germany?
When you want to immigrate to Germany as a dentist, you should know about the average income and your salary as a beginner.
The average salary and beginner’s salary of a dentist in Germany is up to various factors. But you can expect to earn about €81.646 per year, according to Salary Expert. This income is for dentists with 1-3 years of work experience.
World Salaries says that the lowest annual salary is about 48,160 EUR, and you can expect to begin around it.
Salary Explorer says that the lowest salary of a dentist in Germany is about 3,980 EUR p[er month. These figures can give you a rough estimate of the lowest salary of beginner dentists in Germany.
How much does it cost to become a dentist in Germany?
Considering the cost to immigrate to Germany as a dentist is essential. It’s pointless to start it if you can not afford it.
There are different costs for the stages you must follow. First, you must get German language fluency. The cost of classes is different in each country. You should determine it in your home country.
Then comes the cost of language tests. A Goethe-Zertifikat B2 costs you € 285, which could rise.
You should gather the supporting documents and your degree and translate them into German or English by a verified translation office. The cost varies by your home country, so find it out.
The validation cost is up to the German officials, so you should ask them. Then come the exams and internship course in Germany if you have to pass it. You might have to spend EUR 1,000 per month for your internship, and you may not get a salary for it.
After getting a license to work as a dentist in Germany, you must look for a job offer and apply for a work permit. The employer applies for it and might pay the processing cost.
If you need a work visa to enter Germany, you must apply for a German work visa at the German embassy or consulate. It costs you 75 EUR (90 USD) for the application fee, and you must gather the supporting documents.
How to become a dentist in Germany as an international student?
One way to immigrate to Germany as a dentist is to study there as an international student. It involves a few steps to pass.
First, you must work on your German language fluency and get a certificate. Then find a university or dental school. Determine the requirement and fulfill them to get admission. They might include exams or recognizing your degree.
Once you have the admission letter, you can apply for a Germany student visa. You must get it and complete your studies which take about 5-6 years. After you complete your studies, you must pass a one-year residency in Germany. Then comes the Licensing Exam. Once you pass it, you get your license to work as a dentist in Germany.
If you are a non-EU national, you need a work permit to work legally in Germany. You must find a hospital or clinic willing to hire you; then, the employer applies for a work permit.
Can non-EU dentist work in Germany?
Yes, non-EU dentists can work in Germany, but you must pass the validation or recognition process. Every foreign dentist who wants to work in Germany needs validation.
You must gather the supporting documents, send them to German officials, and get approval. There are a few other stages you must pass to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. Look at the section above to know these steps.
Eligibility to immigrate to Germany as a dentist
Not every dentist is eligible to immigrate and work in Germany. EU member states are strict over health rules and regulations. So you must be eligible and meet the principles.
These are the principles that you have to fulfill:
- Having a valid dental degree
- Getting the required German language fluency certificate
- Validate your degree with German officials.
- Getting a passing score on the licensing exam.
- Getting the residency certificate
- Getting a work permit.
You might have to fulfill other requirements and they are up to your conditions.
How to find a job in Germany as a dentist?
You must find a job offer to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. As you need a job offer from a German employer so he/she can apply for a work permit, finding it is essential.
You might not be able to work on your own and send up your clic right after you get the dental license. It costs you a lot and might require a certificate.
The first way to find a job in Germany as a dentist is through the websites that advertise job positions there. This is a list of them:
- Indeed
- StepStone
- Arbeitsagentur
- Meinestadt.de
- Jobrapido.de
You can also get help from employment agencies. They connect employers and employees. You can ask them to introduce you to a clinic or hospital. This is a list of them:
- Caissa Recruitment
- Contacts Management
- O’Farrell Online
- Jac Recruitment
- Progressive Recruitment
- ACTIEF Personnel Management
If you do not need a visa to enter Germany, you can stay there for 90 days with your passport and find a job. If you need a visa, you can apply for a Germany job seeker visa.
Language fluency to immigrate and work in Germany as a dentist
You need German language fluency to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. If you get your degree in a foreign country and especially from non-EU countries, you must send your degree and supporting documents for recognition to German officials. You must send a German language fluency certificate, a B2 or C1 certificate, plus other documents for recognition.
There is also a licensing exam that you must pass, which is in German. Research to know its structure and content and prepare yourself.
You must also pass the residency or training with a clinic or hospital. You need German language fluency to work there and learn dental rules and regulations.
If you are determined to immigrate to Germany as a dentist, begin working on your language skills ASAP.
Is it hard to immigrate to Germany as a dentist?
The answer is up to your skills, abilities, grit, personality, and purpose to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. Learning German and passing the licensing exam can be a bit hard. So you must work hard and improve your skills. Then you might have to pass a residency period in Germany. As you are not familiar with German dental rules and regulations, it could be hard working in the new conditions.
But if you are determined and have a strong “why,” you will work hard and find a way to pass the obstacles.
Before you take any steps, you’d better contact the German dental association and gather information. You can research to know whether other dentists from your country or with a degree from your university have managed to immigrate to Germany.
It could take 2-3 years to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. Look at the requirements and procedure section above to know all the stages you must pass.
Required personal skills for a dentist in Germany
Every job requires a list of personal skills. Working as a dentist in a foreign country needs a few of them to work successfully and climb up the career ladder. This section brings you some of them so you can immigrate to Germany as a dentist successfully.
First, you need communication skills. It’s necessary to have strong communication skills. You must be able to explain complex dental procedures, treatment options, and oral health recommendations clearly.
The second skill is manual dexterity. You will work in a small office with precise instruments in a small and delicate space within the mouth. You will need excellent hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. One mistake might ruin your entire career life.
Details matter in dentistry, so you need attention to details skill. You will deal with small structures, such as teeth and gums, and perform intricate procedures.
You also need problem-solving skills. The range of problems varies from patient to patient. You must be able to diagnose the problem with this patient and provide a helpful treatment option.
You also need time management, adaptability, leadership, teamwork, and stress management. The combination of these skills will be useful to work as a professional dentist. But you might need other skills to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. Assess your situation to recognize them.
Germany visa options for dentists
There are different visa options for you to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. The first one is a Germany work visa. Every non-EU person who wants to work in Germany needs a work visa. But you need a work permit before you apply for a work visa. Only the employer can apply for a work permit, so you must find one willing to hire you.
You can also apply for a Germany job seeker visa. It lets you enter the country and find a job as a non-EU person.
If you want to study in Germany and get your degree there, you need a Germany student visa.
Let’s sum up immigration to Germany as a dentist
This Visa Library article explained how to immigrate to Germany as a dentist. You learned the requirements, process, eligibility, salary, and answers to FAQs. This is your guide to immigrating to Germany as a dentist.
If you have questions, write them down in the comment section. The Visa Library team will answer them.
Frequently asked questions about immigration to Germany as a dentist
Yes, but you must have a dental license from German Dental Association.
The process might be hard, but it is worth it as Germany is perfect for immigrants, and you can have the life you want there.
You can expect to earn 2,000-3,000 EUR per month.
- Published by
- Max-B.
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