Germany and Kazakhstan - two countries that seem far apart at first glance. But in recent years, more and more Kazakh medical professionals have been looking to the West. German clinics and care facilities are desperately looking for staff, while well-trained doctors and nurses are seeking new opportunities and experience in Kazakhstan. But how do you make the leap from Almaty to the clinic in Berlin? What qualifications do Kazakh specialists have, what about the language, and what exactly do they need to get to Germany? This article gets to the bottom of these questions - in a lively, understandable way and with an optimistic view of the future.
Let's imagine the following scenario: A young doctor in Kazakhstan - let's call her Aisulu - has just completed her medical studies. She has studied for six years at a renowned university, completed internships in municipal hospitals and perhaps even done an "internship", i.e. a practical year similar to the German PJ. In Kazakhstan, this gives her the title of general practitioner (comparable to the German state examination). But is that enough to work as a doctor in Germany? The short answer: no, at least not without further ado. Medical degrees from Kazakhstan are considered degrees from a third country, which means that they are not automatically recognized in Germany.
For Aisulu, this means that she has to apply for a license to practice medicine in Germany. To do this, a German authority checks whether her training is equivalent to that in Germany. That sounds theoretical, but in practice it is like comparing timetables and training content. Has she learned enough in anatomy, surgery, internal medicine, etc.? You usually find that although a lot has been covered, there are some differences. Don't panic! These gaps do not mean the end, but usually lead to a knowledge test. This is a test in which Aisulu proves that she has the practical and theoretical knowledge of a German doctor. This knowledge test is based on the oral-practical examination of the German state examination - typical clinical cases, diagnoses and treatments in subjects such as internal medicine and surgery are tested. Sounds challenging? It is. But Aisulu usually has several chances - she can attempt the exam up to three times if she doesn't pass straight away.
And what about nurses or other healthcare professionals? Let's take the example of a nurse from Kazakhstan. In Kazakhstan, on the one hand, there are classic Nurse training programs (often "medizinskasja sestra"), on the other hand medical professions such as the Feldscher. A feldsher is a common qualification in the former Soviet Union - a mixture of emergency doctor and nurse. Germany does not have this intermediate role. The result? Kazakh nurses have to have their qualification recognized in Germany and, if necessary Complete further training. The competent authorities - often state authorities or recognition bodies - compare the training with the German nursing specialist training. They often find that content or practical hours are still missing. However, as with doctors, there are two options: either an equivalence test (a kind of specialist knowledge test for nursing staff) or an adaptation qualification, i.e. an adaptation course. The latter can mean, for example, studying and working in Germany for a few months to two years in order to catch up on missing content.
A real-life example: Galina Batt, a nurse from Kazakhstan, had worked as a field nurse in her home country. In Germany, she was initially told that her training was not sufficient - she was even advised to start a new course. But Galina didn't give up. In 2019, the rules changed and it was recognized: Galina could achieve equivalence with an adaptation period of around 1,500 hours of theory and practice. No sooner said than done - she worked as a "nursing assistant in recognition" in a hospital, went to school at the same time and studied with iron determination. In November 2021, the time had come: Galina received full recognition. Today, she works happily and proudly as a healthcare and nursing assistant in Bergisch Gladbach. Her own conclusion? "For me, the recognition is like being named the strongest woman of the year," she says - an award she truly deserves. This story shows: Even if the path is rocky, it is feasible and worthwhile.
Incidentally, Kazakh qualifications are in good company: from 2012 to 2021, more than 2,200 qualifications from Kazakhstan were recognized in Germany - Kazakhstan thus ranks 26th among the most common countries of origin in the recognition procedure. The trend is rising, as Germany urgently needs skilled workers. There are over 630,000 vacancies nationwide and the shortage is particularly noticeable in the healthcare sector. Kazakh specialists, 36 % of whom have a university degree and a further 32 % a vocational qualification, therefore have valuable potential.
In addition to professional qualifications, there is one factor that all unitedwhether doctor or nurse - the German language. Little is possible without knowledge of German. Imagine Aisulu standing at the patient's bedside and not being able to understand where the pain is. Or Galina having to keep documentation in a nursing home without being able to write in German - impossible. That's why anyone who wants to go to Germany, must learn German. The requirements are officially clearly defined: For nursing staff, a Language level of at least B2 according to the European Reference Framework. For doctors, the hurdle is even higher. Here the Technical language test approximately C1 level in medical German - i.e. almost native-speaker skills in the specialist language. A general B2 certificate is usually required to register for the specialist language exam. These examinations are held by the state medical associations and test, for example, whether a doctor can write a doctor's letter, understand laboratory findings and communicate adequately with patients and colleagues.
Language is often the biggest challenge. How do you learn medical German in Kazakhstan? Fortunately, there are some starting points. In part, the German language taught in Kazakh schoolsand there is a historical connection - many Kazakhstani-Germans and their descendants speak German or at least have a basic knowledge of it. Some prospective specialists attend the Goethe Institute or language courses at universities in their home country. Others learn self-taught or with online courses. It is important to start early enough. Every word you learn in advance is like a stone on the path that paves the way. It's not just about cramming grammar rules. Language also means Understanding cultureHow do you speak politely to patients, how do you speak to superiors, what phrases do you use in everyday life? A practical tip is to practise everyday German as well as technical terms - because you will need both in everyday hospital life. And don't worry about accents or mistakes: many German colleagues appreciate the effort and will help you improve. The important thing is, that you can communicate and are willing to learn.
Sometimes it feels like you're doing two jobs at the same time - Work in hospital during the day, study vocabulary in the evening. But every new word is another brick on the bridge to Germany. The language opens the door to the hearts of patients and the trust of colleagues. Without this key-certificate in German, many other doors remain closed.
So what exactly does the path from Kazakhstan to Germany look like for medical professionals? Here is an overview in Stepswhich makes the process more tangible:
Informing and planning: It all starts with research. Which Professional recognition do you need? Is it a license to practice medicine, recognition as a nurse or another healthcare profession? Official portals such as Recognition in Germanythat BQ portal or advice services such as the IQ network. Ask about the requirements: What documents do you need? (As a rule, certificates, Diploma, subject overviews, Employment referencespassport copy, birth certificate and the like). Do these have to be notarized and translated? (Usually yes - official translations and apostilles are standard.) Also important: Which federal state should it be? Recognition is a federal process in Germany, which means that you apply in the federal state in which you would like to work. Although the requirements are similar, they can vary slightly. Allow enough time to gather all the paperwork - this can take months.
Learn German: As emphasized above, you cannot do without language. Ideally, you should start with intensive German courses in Kazakhstan. Set yourself realistic goals - for example, from zero to B1/B2 within a year. There are many options today, including online. For doctors, it is advisable to start with medical terminology in German at an early stage in addition to general German (for example, through bilingual textbooks or special language courses for doctors). Tip: Tests such as TELC B2-C1 Medicine or Goethe Test Pro Care can help you prepare for the technical language.
Submit an application for recognition: As soon as you have all the documents and, ideally, have already reached language level B2, apply for the Application for recognition. For doctors, this means: applying for a license to practice medicine or at least for a Professional license (a temporary permit that is often valid until the knowledge test). For nursing staff: Application for recognition as a nursing specialist. The competent authority will then check your qualification for Equivalence. As mentioned, this verification procedure can take several months. Stay in contact with the authorities and submit any missing documents. During this phase, it will also be checked whether personal suitability is available - this includes, for example, health suitability (medical certificate) and Impunity (police clearance certificate). At the same time, you can start looking for jobs or get in touch with potential employers.
Decision: Equivalence or adaptation: You will receive a notification after some time. Best-case scenario: Your degree will be recognized as equivalent recognized - then only the language and formalities are missing for full admission. However, it is more likely with third-country qualifications that Differences fixed. The notification lists exactly what content is missing. Now you usually have a choice: Knowledge test file or a Adaptation course make. If successful, both paths lead to full recognition. Think about which path suits you best. Examination means: independent learning and then performing in an examination situation. Adaptation course means: learning for a period of time (often 6-12 months, sometimes more) at school and in a company, with a final interview at the end. Galina Batt, for example, opted for the adaptation period in the nursing sector - with success. Many doctors take the examination route, working in parallel with a professional license in the hospital as preparation. Tip: If possible, make good use of the time until recognition - for example as an "assistant doctor in further training" with a professional license or as a nursing assistant. This will allow you to gain experience in the German system.
Visas and entry: At the latest now comes the question: How do I get a visa? There is good news here: Since 2020, Germany has had the Skilled Immigration Act, a modern immigration law that makes the process easier. For recognized skilled workers (i.e. as soon as you have the recognition in your pocket and perhaps an employment contract), there is the visa to take up qualified employment (§18a AufenthG). This allows you to work as a recognized employee. If you still lack practical experience or examinations in Germany (keyword: adaptation qualification), you can apply for a visa for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications (§16d AufenthG). This allows you to come to Germany, e.g. to complete an adaptation period or prepare for the knowledge test. A professional Visa and Relocation Service Germany helps to make the entire process from application to arrival much smoother. Important: Recognition should be started before you apply for a visa if possible. The German authorities want to see that your degree has been checked and that a measure has been determined. Once all this is done, nothing stands in the way of your trip - except perhaps the pain of saying goodbye to family and friends back home.
Arrive and get going: Once you have arrived in Germany, it's time to get to work - and the rest of the integration process. You may initially have accommodation through your employer or stay with friends. You take care of the bureaucratic steps: Registering with the residents' registration office, opening a bank account, taking out health insurance - it's all part of the process. And then: Your first day at work. Exciting? Guaranteed. You may not understand every joke your colleagues make at first and have to ask more often - don't worry. The first few months are like a Trial period not only at work, but also culturally. You will become more confident over time, both professionally and linguistically. Don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. Most teams are happy that you are there and are happy to help. After all, German clinics and homes have been waiting a long time for new colleagues like you.
Get support: There are advice centers and support programs. The IQ Network offers advice and, in some cases, financial support for adaptation courses. Galina found out about this opportunity through the employment agency and received important information. Such networks can make the process much easier. You can also use the portal Make it in Germany - It is aimed directly at foreign specialists and contains practical tips.
Make contacts: Seek out exchanges with compatriots who have already made the move. There are groups of Kazakh (or Russian-speaking) doctors and nurses in Germany on social networks. Ask for tips, share your concerns - often someone can give advice from experience or simply encourage you.
Stay patient and confident: The process can take longer than you would like. It can take one to two years from the initial idea to the first salary in Germany. Bureaucracy comes into play, perhaps even frustration if a document is missing or an examination is not passed. But don't be discouraged. Germany wants Specialists like you - the new legal situation and active recruitment already show this. Sometimes the system needs a little time to give you your place. But with every step you take, you get closer to your goal.
Celebrate successes: In all of this, don't forget to be proud of what you have already achieved. Every language test you pass, every recognized document, every job interview is a milestone. You should acknowledge these - it keeps your motivation high. As with a marathon, it's not just the finish line that counts, but also the individual stages.
Conclusion: The journey for medical professionals from Kazakhstan to Germany may not be a walk in the park, but it is feasible - and worthwhile for everyone involved. For Germany, these specialists are a valuable help in the fight against staff shortages in the healthcare sector. For the Kazakh doctors and nurses, a new horizon opens up - professionally, personally and culturally. A professional Recruitment and integration in Germany plays a central role here, as it facilitates the transition to the new working and living environment. It's a bit like bringing two worlds together: The solid education and dedication you bring with you from Kazakhstan meets the opportunities and challenges of a new country. At the end of this journey, you not only have a new job in Germany, but often also pride and self-confidence: You've made it! And - to paraphrase Galina - you may not be officially named the "strongest person of the year", but you feel a bit like one. The effort is worth it, for yourself and for society. With this in mind: (In German) Welcome to Germany! - Қош келдіңіздер! - Добро пожаловать!