Apply for permission to practice medicine (Heilkunde)
Erlaubnis zur Ausübung der Heilkunde beantragen
Machine translation of the German page, 2026-09-15. The German original is binding.
Anyone who wishes to practice the healing profession (Heilkunde) without being licensed as a physician (Arzt/Ärztin) or holding a permit within the meaning of the Bundesärzteordnung (Federal Medical Practitioners' Act) requires a permit under the provisions of the Heilpraktikergesetz (Alternative Practitioners Act). Practicing the healing profession means any activity carried out professionally or commercially to identify, cure or relieve illnesses, ailments or physical damage in humans, including when carried out in the service of others.
• If your intended activity relates only to the mind or mental state of the client, you require the restricted permit to practice the healing profession in the field of psychotherapy.
• If the activity to be practiced is to relate only to the field of physiotherapy, podiatry, chiropractic, occupational therapy or speech therapy, and you hold a corresponding professional license/training, please inquire about the permit requirements to be met in the Heilpraktiker (alternative practitioner) field.
Process
• Submit an application for the granting of a Heilpraktikererlaubnis (alternative practitioner permit) and, upon request, send in the necessary documents. You can do this in writing by post, by email, or in person.
• The responsible authority checks whether all requirements are met.
• Take the knowledge examination (written and oral).
• If all permit requirements are met, the permit is granted to you.
Book an appointment
Book an appointment (service.berlin.de)
Requirements
• Completion of the 25th year of life (i.e., at least 25 years old)
• Proof of at least a completed Volksschule or Hauptschule education (primary/lower secondary school)
• Reliability
In particular, there must be no serious criminal or moral offenses.
• Health fitness to practice the profession of Heilpraktiker (non-medical practitioner)
• Proof of knowledge and skills
In the form of an examination by the Gesundheitsamt (public health office), to ensure that the applicant's practice of Heilkunde (the healing arts) will not pose a danger to the health of the public or of the patients consulting them.
Documents you need
• Antrag auf Erteilung der Erlaubnis zur berufsmäßigen Ausübung der Heilkunde ohne Bestallung [Application for permission to practise medicine (Heilkunde) professionally without a state medical license (Bestallung)]
The application for permission can be submitted using a form or informally in writing, by post, by e-mail, or in person, observing the office hours.
• Current curriculum vitae (CV)
In tabular form, signed, no more than 1-2 pages.
(To be sent in paper form or submitted in person, observing the office hours.)
• School leaving certificate (officially certified copy)
(To be sent in paper form or submitted in person, observing the office hours.)
• Current Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate) service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/120702/
Not older than three months.
(To be sent in paper form or submitted in person, observing the office hours.)
• Medical certificate/attestation (original)
• The medical certificate/attestation should provide information on fitness of health for practising the profession.
• It is required in the original, not older than three months.
• The medical certificate/attestation is only to be applied for once requested.
(To be sent in paper form or submitted in person, observing the office hours.)
• Current Erweitertes Führungszeugnis (extended certificate of good conduct) (original) service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/120926/
• Extended certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority, in the original, not older than three months.
• The extended certificate of good conduct is only to be applied for once requested.
Forms
• Application templates (provided by the Gesundheitsamt Berlin Lichtenberg (Lichtenberg health office)) www.berlin.de/ba-lichtenberg/auf-einen-blick/buergerservice/
• Application templates (provided by the Gesundheitsamt Berlin Tempelhof-Schöneberg (Tempelhof-Schöneberg health office)) www.berlin.de/ba-tempelhof-schoeneberg/politik-und-verwaltun
Fees
• 400.00 Euro: total fee for granting permission to practice medicine professionally without a medical license (Bestallung)
The fee is charged in installments. A fee is only payable after being requested.
Legal basis
• Heilpraktikergesetz (HeilprG, Act on Non-Medical Practitioners) § 1 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/heilprg/__1.html
• 1st Implementing Regulation to the Heilpraktikergesetz (HeilprGDV BE 1) gesetze.berlin.de/perma?j=HeilprGDV_BE
• Guidelines for the examination of Heilpraktiker (non-medical practitioner) candidates www.bundesanzeiger.de/pub/publication/d6Pk1lbZta8EPCulJuE?0
• Verordnung über die Erhebung von Gebühren im Gesundheits- und Pflegewesen (GesPflGebO, Regulation on the Levying of Fees in Health and Care Services), Tariff Item 27050 gesetze.berlin.de/perma?j=GesPflGebO_BE_Abschnitt_II
• Gesundheitsdienst-Gesetz (GDG, Public Health Service Act), as amended on 25.05.2006 gesetze.berlin.de/perma?j=%C3%96GesDG_BE
• Gesundheitsdienst-Zuständigkeitsverordnung (GDZustVO, Regulation on Responsibilities in the Public Health Service) § 4 gesetze.berlin.de/perma?j=GesDZustV_BE_!_4
Who is responsible
• Gesundheitsamt Lichtenberg (Lichtenberg public health office): For the districts of Mitte, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Pankow, Spandau, Lichtenberg, Reinickendorf
• Gesundheitsamt Tempelhof-Schöneberg (Tempelhof-Schöneberg public health office): For the districts of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Neukölln, Treptow-Köpenick, Marzahn-Hellersdorf
Responsible for you
Choose a location; the appointment itself is booked on the original page.
- Bezirksamt Lichtenberg
- Gesundheitsamt - Heilpraktikerbereich
- Bezirksamt Tempelhof-Schöneberg
Original
Service number 325145 · same path as the original: service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/325145/