Foreign doctors now make up 14% of Saxony-Anhalt’s medical workforce

A steady influx of foreign doctors is reshaping Saxony-Anhalt’s healthcare. Yet shortages linger—why is part-time work complicating the crisis?

, and Administrator

2026 January 18 . 8:10 PM

1 min read

The image shows a poster of a map of the first German Graffschaft Tirol, with text and images on... — The image shows a poster of a map of the first German Graffschaft Tirol, with text and images on it. The map is detailed and shows the various geographical features of the region, such as rivers, mountains, and cities. The text on the poster provides additional information about the region and its inhabitants.

More than 2,000 foreign doctors in Saxony-Anhalt - Foreign doctors now make up 14% of Saxony-Anhalt’s medical workforce

The number of foreign doctors working in Saxony-Anhalt has risen again. By the end of 2025, figures showed 2,035 foreign medical news today actively practising in the region. This marks a steady increase from the previous year, when 1,903 were recorded.

Most of these doctors—1,614 in total—work in hospitals and rehabilitation clinics. Another 177 are employed in medical practices or outpatient care centres, while 28 hold other medical roles. Only 93 operate as self-employed practitioners.

The overall number of actively practising foreign doctors climbed from 1,798 to 1,912 within a single year. This growth means foreign doctors now represent 14.2% of the 14,381 physicians working across Saxony-Anhalt. Despite the rise, the region continues to face a doctor shortage. One contributing factor is the growing trend of doctors choosing part-time work. The majority of foreign doctors in Saxony-Anhalt originate from Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Syria, the Russian Federation, and Romania.

The total number of doctors in Saxony-Anhalt has increased, partly due to the rise in foreign medical professionals. However, the shortage persists, with part-time work patterns adding to the challenge. Foreign doctors now account for a significant share of the region’s healthcare workforce.