As a foreigner in Germany can I work as a veterinarian?

Basically yes, but you will need a state permit, as the profession of a veterinarian is a regulated profession in Germany. This means that in addition to a general work permit, you also need recognition of your professional qualification as equivalent to the training you received in Germany. Also it depends on the country in which you studied and completed veterinary medicine, as the chart shows, whether you have to go through a so-called recognition procedure (equivalence test) for this.

This means that veterinary studies completed in an EU member state are recognised via an automatic recognition procedure (deadline regulations in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC) without an equivalence check. However, a formal application for recognition of the licence to practise must be submitted to the relevant office , including all necessary documents. In addition, language skills at B2 level are required for a work permit as a veterinarian in Germany (BTÄO).

In the case of veterinarians who have obtained their degree outside the EU or EEA (third country), an equivalence check of the veterinary training in the country of origin with the requirements in Germany is always carried out. This requires at least B2-level language skills, as all knowledge tests to be taken for this purpose are held in German.