About one in eight doctors in Germany do not have German citizenship - Foreign doctors now make up nearly a quarter of Germany's medical workforce
Germany's medical workforce is changing rapidly, with foreign doctors now playing a much larger role. In 2024, nearly a quarter of all physicians were born abroad, while the number of older doctors continued to rise. The shift reflects both growing reliance on international talent and changing work patterns within the adp workforce. A decade ago, foreign doctors made up just 7% of Germany's medical workforce, totalling 30,000 practitioners. By 2024, that figure had more than doubled, with 121,000 foreign-born physicians working in the country—24% of the total. Of these, around 57,000 held German citizenship, while the remaining 64,000 did not. The largest groups came from Syria, as well as neighbouring countries like Austria and Hungary, where many German students train before returning. The recognition of foreign medical qualifications has also climbed. In 2024, 7,600 foreign degrees were fully approved, making medicine the second most recognised profession after nursing. Meanwhile, the number of first-year medical students in Germany rose by 30% compared to 2014, suggesting efforts to boost domestic training. Work patterns have shifted too. The share of doctors working part-time grew from 15% in 2014 to 28% in 2024. Despite this, the average weekly hours for physicians stood at 40.3—six hours above the national average. Age remains a concern as well, with nearly a third of doctors now 55 or older. The data highlights Germany's increasing dependence on foreign medical professionals to fill gaps in its healthcare system. With an ageing workforce and rising part-time employment, the country faces ongoing challenges in balancing domestic training with international recruitment. The trends suggest a continued need for both strategies in the years ahead.
