Germany is witnessing a rapid rise in the number of foreign-born physicians. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), in 2024 approximately 121,000 foreign doctors were practicing in medicine and dentistry, making up 24% of the entire medical workforce. This trend underscores the growing importance of migration in maintaining the effectiveness of Germany's healthcare system.
Of all 497,000 physicians in Germany, as many as 64,000 held foreign citizenship in 2024, corresponding to 13% of the total — nearly double the figure from 2014, when the share stood at just 7% (30,000 individuals). Notably, 42% of these immigrants have been living in Germany for fewer than 10 years. In the context of Germany's overall labor force, foreigners accounted for 15% of the employed in 2024, up from 9% a decade earlier.
Analyzing the age structure, foreign doctors are significantly younger than their German counterparts. As many as 49% of them are under 35, while among German-born physicians that share is only 18%. This contrasts with the overall aging of the workforce: 31% of all doctors have passed the age of 55 (up from 29% in 2014), foreshadowing a wave of retirements and potential staffing shortages. Young immigrants are helping to offset these imbalances, contributing to a 21% increase in the number of physicians over the past decade.
By nationality, approximately 7,000 foreign medical degrees were recognized in 2024, of which 21% belonged to Germans who had studied abroad (for instance, in Austria or Hungary), and 11% to Syrians (roughly 800 in human medicine and 100 in dentistry).
Despite the positive impact of migration, foreign doctors face numerous barriers within the German system. The credential recognition process is lengthy and at times arbitrary — experts have described it as a "lottery." In 2024, 7,000 degrees were recognized, but candidates must wait months for the examinations that assess their knowledge. Atilla Vurgun of the Academy of Medical Professions in Frankfurt emphasizes that the procedures are excessively bureaucratic, discouraging potential migrants.
Cultural and linguistic integration presents an additional challenge. Foreign doctors often must master German at a specialized professional level, which significantly extends the time before they can enter the labor market. Nevertheless, their contribution is invaluable in the face of staffing shortages — nearly one-third of physicians are of pre-retirement age, threatening a healthcare crisis. Foreign specialists, half of whom are under 35, fill these gaps while working an average of 40.3 hours per week — more than the overall workforce average of 34.4 hours.
The influx of foreign doctors into Germany is of critical importance for the stability of the country's healthcare system. The 21% increase in the number of physicians over the past decade is largely thanks to immigrants, who already make up a quarter of the medical workforce. They help meet rising demand driven by an aging population. However, the growing popularity of part-time work (28% of doctors in 2024, up from 15% in 2014) further underscores the need for new staff.
Experts argue that without migrants, the system could collapse under the weight of demographics. Additionally, Germany's restrictions on access to medical school are pushing many young Germans to study abroad, which paradoxically increases the inflow of "returnees" with foreign degrees. Migration policy should therefore focus on simplifying procedures to attract more specialists — for instance, from Syria and other countries.
