Qualification programs for international healthcare professionals in Germany can take various forms. Alongside observerships and self-directed study, participation in preparation courses is often an option. These courses focus exclusively on the mandatory professional language exam and can be combined with other learning methods. This article explains everything about funding the courses in preparation for the professional language exam: available options, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.

Funding options at a glance

There are various funding options available to international healthcare professionals, depending on the type of course, profession, and personal situation.
The specialist vocational language course for academic healthcare professions at C1 level, designed to prepare for the professional language exam, is funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
Further courses in professional language skills such as intensive courses or simulation courses for the professional language exam can be funded by the Federal Employment Agency or the Jobcenter.

Under the so-called “Qualifizierungschancengesetz” (Further Training Opportunities Act), the Federal Employment Agency covers all or part of continuing education costs under certain conditions. In addition, the employer can receive a subsidy. This is possible when employees are released from work for the duration of the training and continue to receive their salary during that time. The employer receives the support and the employee can acquire further qualifications without losing their job.

Funding option 1: Federal Employment Agency and Jobcenter

The Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) is a public body responsible for job placement, career counseling, unemployment benefits, and professional further training. The Jobcenter serves people who need financial support to cover their living expenses. Both can issue education vouchers (Bildungsgutschein) to enable people to pursue further training free of charge. This also applies to international healthcare professionals undergoing the recognition procedure.

The education voucher (Bildungsgutschein)

An education voucher covers the full course costs, meaning participants do not have to pay for the preparation course for the professional language exam (C1 professional language). The education voucher is issued exclusively for state-certified providers (known as AZAV certification) directly by the responsible case worker.

Eligibility requirements

Those wanting to apply for funding through an education voucher must meet the following requirements:

• Registered place of residency in Germany
• Already registered as a client with the competent Federal Employment Agency or Jobcenter
• Valid residence title with the purpose of language course (§16f), professional recognition (§16d), family reunification (§27)
  
• Proof of the recognition procedure (copy of the application, confirmation of receipt, or recognition decision)
  

Required documents

All required proof and documents should be collected and sent as copies by email to the responsible case worker. Alternatively, the general email address of the Federal Employment Agency at the registered place of residence can be used. The customer number should always be included. The required documents may vary by location, so it is advisable to check in advance with the competent authority, which documents are needed. The following are generally required:

• Valid passport
• CV
• Registration certificate
• Valid visa or residence title
• Language certificate at B2 level
• Course enrollment offer from an AZAV-certified training provider
• Confirmation of receipt or recognition decision
• Proof of foreign professional qualification (e.g. diploma, translated into German)
  

Submitting the application

Registration with the Federal Employment Agency should ideally take place around six weeks prior to course start. At some agencies, funding may still be approved one to two weeks before the start of the course. After registration, a customer number is sent by mail. The funding application is submitted directly to the case worker. The applicant only needs to provide a course offer and training contract from a course provider. Everything else is handled by the Federal Employment Agency or Jobcenter. If the application is approved, the applicant receives the education voucher and can forward it to the chosen course provider. If the application is rejected, a funding application can be submitted to BAMF.

Funding option 2: BAMF

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is the central migration authority with responsibilities in the areas of migration and integration. BAMF is responsible in Germany for running integration courses and job-related language programs.

The certificate of eligibility

The BAMF certificate of eligibility also enables funded participation in a preparation course for the professional language exam. Costs can be covered in full or – depending on the situation – partially. The certificate of eligibility can be applied for at BAMF or at the Federal Employment Agency and Jobcenter.

Eligibility requirements

Those wishing to apply for funding through a certificate of eligibility must meet the following requirements:

• Registered place of residence in Germany
• Valid visa or residence permit for professional recognition (§16d)
  
• Proof of the recognition procedure (copy of the application, confirmation of receipt, or recognition decision)
  
• Language certificate at B2 level
• Strict attendance is required. Absences of 15% or more of teaching units are reported to BAMF. From 30% unexcused absences, participation is terminated and the participant incurs a withdrawal fee.

Required documents

The following documents are required for the “application for entitlement to participate in the recognition procedure” for the specialist vocational language course for academic healthcare professions at C1 level in PDF format:

• Language certificate at B2 level
• Copy of the recognition application, confirmation of receipt, or recognition decision
• Proof of foreign professional qualification (e.g. diploma, translated into German)
  
• Copy of the current residence titles (a copy of the ID document for EU citizens)
  
• If already working in Germany: an income tax assessment or pay slips for the last three months

Submitting the application

The application can be submitted to the Federal Employment Agency or directly to BAMF. Some course providers, such as the Freiburg International Academy, offer to submit the application to BAMF on behalf of the participant by power of attorney. This means prospective participants only need to send their documents to their FIA contact.
In some cases, a co-payment toward the course fee is required. This applies to employed participants whose annual income exceeds 20,000 euros individually or 40,000 euros jointly with a co-assessed partner.

Application form

Applicants fill out the application form by themselves. They can either submit the application independently or authorize a course provider to submit it on their behalf. The form lists all required documents and asks the applicant to provide personal details such as address and date of birth. Finally, the applicant indicates whether they are employed and, if so, how much they earn.

Funding option 3: Further Training Opportunities Act

The “Qualifizierungschancengesetz” (QCG – Further Training Opportunities Act) enables funding for professional further training for individuals in social insurance-liable employment. It may be relevant for international doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are already employed in Germany but have not yet received the full professional license (Approbation) and wish to prepare for the professional language exam through a course. Under certain conditions, course costs as well as part of the salary can be funded by the Federal Employment Agency. Key factors include employment status, course scope, and accreditation of the training provider.

Eligibility requirements

• The employed doctor, dentist, or pharmacist has not yet received the full professional license (Approbation).
• At least three years of professional practice (including experience from the home country).
• Employment contract covering at least the duration of the preparation course.
• Further training approved in accordance with the Accreditation and Approval Regulation for Employment Promotion (AZAV) for funding through an education voucher; each individual case is assessed and decided separately.
• The chosen qualification program must last more than 120 hours.

Required documents

• Power of attorney for an employed person in the context of employee qualification: this authorizes the employer to pass the employee’s data to the employer service of the Federal Employment Agency and submit the application on their behalf.
• Questionnaire for employees participating in a professional further training program: this covers the employee’s personal data as well as costs arising from the qualification program (travel, meals, accommodation).
• Declaration by an employed person for the application for a salary subsidy: the employee completes this form with personal details, information on their professional qualification, and details about the company.
• Provider confirmation for the application for a salary subsidy: this is completed by the course provider.
• Final declaration for the funding of individual employees: this is completed by the employer.
  Note: All documents required for applying for funding under QCG are available as templates on the official website of the Federal Employment Agency.

Submitting the application

The application for further training funding under the QCG is submitted exclusively by the employer to the Federal Employment Agency (employer service). The application must be submitted before the qualification program begins.

• The employer contacts the employer service of the Federal Employment Agency and checks whether the company and its employees meet the eligibility requirements.
• The employer and the employee complete the required documents.
• The employer submits the application to the employer service.

Important notes on funding

Those who receive an education voucher or a certificate of eligibility are free to choose which certified course provider they wish to attend. The funding received is presented there and the applicant can register for a course. It should be noted that both options always have a limited period of validity within which the funding must be redeemed. Both certificates of eligibility and education vouchers are valid for three months from the date of issue.
Funding for courses through BAMF, the Federal Employment Agency, or the Jobcenter can significantly ease the financial burden on international healthcare professionals on the path to professional recognition. It is essential to check early on which authority is responsible, which eligibility requirements must be met, and whether the desired course is eligible for funding.
Since requirements can vary depending on personal situation, place of residence, and course type, this should be clarified before registering for a course wherever possible. If no funding is approved, participation in many courses is generally also possible as a self-paying participant.
The Freiburg International Academy supports international healthcare professionals in applying for funding for professional language courses by explaining all steps in free consultation sessions with a personal advisor, providing all necessary documents, and answering any open questions directly.