How do I check a doctor in Germany?

Germany's federal-state authorities issue Approbation or applicable limited permission to practise, while state medical chambers handle professional matters. Patients can use official regional directories, but these are not one comprehensive national live licence-status database.

How do I look up a doctor?

Open the German Medical Association's doctor-search page and select the federal state or region. Follow the linked chamber or statutory-insurance physician directory, then search by name, location and specialty where those fields are available.

Coverage varies. Some directories include only defined practice groups or depend on consent. If a doctor is absent, ask the competent licensing authority or chamber to confirm the person's status. A missing directory result does not establish that the doctor lacks a licence.

How do I check a specialist or a dentist?

For a medical specialist, check the exact Facharzt designation in the appropriate regional directory. Ask the state chamber to confirm the qualification or its recognition if it is unclear. State rules govern these qualifications; national model training regulations are not themselves binding state regulations.

For a dentist, use the German Dental Association's dentist-search route, select the state and search the regional directory by name or location. Ask the dental chamber about any claimed specialist title. Approbation and temporary permission have different meanings, so clarify which authorisation the dentist holds.

Does the register show disciplinary action?

Do not treat a regional practice directory as a complete disciplinary record. Ask the responsible chamber or licensing authority about current restrictions and the information it can disclose. A listing of a practice and specialty does not answer every question about professional standing.

What about doctors trained abroad?

Foreign-trained doctors require state-level recognition and appropriate permission to practise. Recognition of foreign specialty training is a separate matter for the responsible state chamber. The German Medical Association's recognition guidance explains these distinctions.

Foreign-trained dentists must meet equivalence and other Approbation requirements, including language requirements. Temporary permissions can be limited. The German Dental Association's foreign-qualification information provides the dental route.

What do US, Canadian or UK titles mean here?

Overseas board certification or Fellowship does not replace German permission or state-level specialty recognition; use the foreign-credentials guide to verify those additional claims.

Checked on 23 October 2026.