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Approbation (EU/EWR/Schweiz) als Psychotherapeut/in beantragen

Approbation (EU/EWR/Schweiz) als Psychotherapeut/-in beantragen
Official English page German-only parts machine-translated, 2026-09-15
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Book an appointment

Book an appointment (service.berlin.de)

Requirements

• Psychotherapeutic training completed in the EU/EEA/Switzerland that is equivalent to German training or an equivalent level of knowledge. In the event of substantial differences between the training courses which cannot be compensated for by relevant professional experience, an aptitude test must be taken or an adaptation course must be attended. • Health suitability • Proof of reliability and worthiness for the practice of the psychotherapeutic profession • Sufficient knowledge of German level B 2 • Specialist language test • Proof of responsibility

Documents you need

• Application for a license to practice medicine for training in the European Union (EU) Online or you can submit the (paper) application in writing by post. • Proof of responsibility for the Land of Berlin (e.g. confirmation of employment, proof of habitual residence in the state of Berlin / main residence, applications for vacancies in the state of Berlin, invitations to job interviews) • Curriculum vitae in tabular form with signature and date • Proof of identity (valid identity card or passport) • Birth certificate in the event of a change of name, e.g. due to marriage, also this document • Certificate of good conduct for presentation to an authority service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/120926/ To verify personal reliability, information from the Federal Central Register (certificate of good conduct) is required for submission to an authority (document type O). The information must not be older than three months. • Certificate of Good Conduct/Certificate of Clearance of Offences of the police or judicial authorities of the home country and, if applicable, of the country of study. (not older than 3 months if presented) • Certificate of good repute/certificate of good standing of the competent authority of the country in which the profession was practised (not older than 3 months if presented) • Medical certificate from a doctor licensed in Germany (not older than 3 months if presented) • Proof of completed training (European Union) (see checklist for persons with EU training) • Certificate B 2 on knowledge of the German language (from telc, TestDaF or Goethe-Institut - not older than 3 years) It is not necessary to submit the language certificates at the time of application. • Specialist language test (Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists) It is not necessary to submit proof of language proficiency at the time of application. • Doctoral certificate (if available) • Official certification of copies If copies are submitted, they must be officially certified. In the case of copies without official certification, the simultaneous submission of the originals is required.

Forms

• Application for a license to practice medicine for training in the European Union (EU) www.berlin.de/lageso/_assets/gesundheit/berufe-im-gesundheit • Medical certificate from a doctor licensed in Germany www.berlin.de/lageso/_assets/gesundheit/berufe-im-gesundheit • Checklist: Proof of completed training (European Union) www.berlin.de/lageso/_assets/gesundheit/berufe-im-gesundheit • Specialist language test (Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists) www.psychotherapeutenkammer-berlin.de/

Fees

EUR 210.00

Legal basis

• Psychotherapists Act (PsychThG) § 1 et seqq. www.gesetze-im-internet.de/psychthg_2020/__1.html • Licensing regulations for psychotherapists (PschyThApprO) §§ 59 et seqq. www.gesetze-im-internet.de/psychthappro/__59.html • Ordinance on the Charging of Fees in the Health Care and Nursing Sector (GesPflGebO) www.berlin.de/lageso/_assets/gesundheit/berufe-im-gesundheit

Processing time

approx. 3-4 months, if all documents are complete

Further information

• Explanation of the Approbation (professional licence to practise) and contacts for training completed in the European Union (EU) (Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales [State Office for Health and Social Affairs]) www.berlin.de/lageso/gesundheit/berufe-im-gesundheitswesen/a • Explanation of the Approbation/Berufserlaubnis (licence/permit to practise) and contacts for training completed outside the European Union (third country) (Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales) www.berlin.de/lageso/gesundheit/berufe-im-gesundheitswesen/a • Information on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications ("Anerkennung in Deutschland" [Recognition in Germany]) www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/index.php • Financial assistance during the recognition procedure (Anerkennung in Deutschland) www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/finanzielle-foerde • Publicly appointed translators and interpreters in Germany (Justizportal [Justice Portal]) www.justiz-dolmetscher.de/Recherche/

Who is responsible

The Approbation (professional licence) is only issued by the Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales Berlin (State Office for Health and Social Affairs Berlin).

Responsible for you

Choose a location; the appointment itself is booked on the original page.

Original

German originalOfficial English page

Service number 327859 · same path as the original: service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/327859/