Medical PG
Assistenzarzt salary in Germany: what doctors actually earn
MC
Mackwins Counseling Desk
Admissions & Visa Guidance · 16 Apr 2026 · 4 min read
One of the biggest draws of the German route for MBBS doctors: you earn a real, competitive salary from residency level — often while you're still completing your licensing exams.
The numbers
- Assistenzarzt (resident): €4,500–6,500 gross/month.
- Night and weekend shifts add roughly 15–25%.
- Facharzt (specialist) training is funded as part of employment — not an extra fee.
Earning before full Approbation
A Berufserlaubnis (§10 BÄO) is a temporary licence — up to two years — that lets you work under supervision while you prepare for the Kenntnisprüfung. So you can be earning at resident level before your final licensing exam is done.
Full Approbation then lets you practice independently anywhere in Germany, with a clear path toward permanent residency.
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