Germany fast-tracks foreign pharmacists to ease critical labor shortages

Facing a dire shortage of skilled workers, Germany overhauls its hiring rules. Will this be enough to save its struggling pharmacies?

, and Administrator

2026 April 10 . 10:10 PM

1 min read

The image shows a poster with the text "In 2022, Big Pharma Charged Americans Two to Three Times... — The image shows a poster with the text "In 2022, Big Pharma Charged Americans Two to Three Times More Than What They Charged People in Other Countries for the Same Drugs" at the bottom, accompanied by a few bottles and a syringe.

Germany fast-tracks foreign pharmacists to ease critical labor shortages

Berlin – Last night, the Bundestag passed a law aimed at accelerating the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. The Federal Chamber of Pharmacists (BAK) has welcomed the move, saying it will help address the growing shortage of skilled workers in the pharmacy sector. "Pharmacists are highly specialized professionals, and over the coming years, thousands will be missing from our pharmacies," said BAK President Dr. Armin Hoffmann.

"We are pleased that bureaucratic hurdles are being removed so that qualified pharmacists from third countries can more quickly obtain the right to work in our pharmacies," Hoffmann continued. "The high quality of care will remain unaffected, as the new regulation only streamlines the recognition process—not the professional standards themselves."

Under the upcoming law, pharmacists with qualifications from non-EU countries will generally undergo a direct competency assessment rather than the lengthy equivalence review previously required. This process often dragged on due to bureaucratic obstacles. Degrees obtained outside the European Union and the European Economic Area will no longer need to undergo extensive document-based equivalence checks.

"Of course, some adjustments to the Pharmacists' Licensing Regulations will now be necessary," Hoffmann noted. "Additionally, the regulations urgently need to be updated to align with the expanded range of services under the Pharmacy Supply Development Act." He added, "Based on our 2022 proposal, we will soon discuss further reforms with the Federal Ministry of Health."

Following the Bundestag's approval yesterday, the law now requires the Bundesrat's consent, which could come as early as May. According to the Bundestag's decision, the legislation is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.