A recent investigation reveals a concerning gap in Germany’s medical oversight system, potentially allowing physicians with revoked licenses in other countries to practice. Collaborative reporting by “Der Spiegel”, ZDF, “The Standard”, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and other media outlets highlights a process where physicians who have lost their credentials abroad are sometimes able to continue working in Germany.
German law stipulates that a medical license, known as “Approbation” is mandatory for physicians to practice. This system is designed to ensure medical professionals possess the necessary skills and qualifications to protect public health. However, the investigation found that once a physician obtains “Approbation” in Germany, there’s no systematic check to verify whether they’re facing disciplinary action or have had their licenses revoked in other nations.
Across Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom alone, approximately one hundred doctors annually lose their medical licenses. The number across Europe is likely several hundred, with revocations stemming from issues including serious medical errors and, in some cases, convictions for sexual offenses.
A European warning system, part of the Internal Market Information System (IMI), has been in place for over twelve years to prevent problematic physicians from relocating and continuing their practice without authorities being aware. The system is intended to facilitate the sharing of information between member states.
Despite this system’s existence, its impact in Germany appears limited. Between 2020 and 2024, a query of the federal and state health ministries revealed that 141 physicians had their German “Approbation” revoked. This represents a small fraction – approximately 0.03 percent – of the over 400,000 practicing physicians in Germany. Many ministries reported that revocation in Germany wasn’t a direct result of a warning received from another country, while others were unable to confirm.