Foto: Adobe StockWhen discussing the problem of the shortage of doctors in Germany, German students abroad are largely ignored. Yet they make up around ten per cent of all German medical students. Experts at the CHE estimate the number of students to be at least 9,100, according to a recent CHE publication that lists admission requirements and study costs for 97 national and international medical degree programmes at European universities.
At least one in ten German medical students is enrolled abroad
Human medicine is one of the most popular degree programmes in Germany, but admission is restricted nationwide. This is another reason why many prospective students look for study programmes abroad. The current CHECK „Medizinstudium in Europa“ (‘CHECK Studying Medicine in Europe’) by the CHE Centre for Higher Education provides a detailed overview of the available options.
Austria and Hungary are among the most sought-after countries for German medical students abroad. In 2022 and 2023, 2,543 German students were enrolled on a medical degree programme at Austrian universities. Bulgaria (1,229), Poland (698) and Switzerland (760) are also popular.
However, it is not possible to calculate the total number of German medical students in Europe, as the figures for some countries, such as Romania, Croatia and Slovakia, are not available, although there are also international medical study programmes in these countries. However, an estimate by the CHE experts based on the available data from the Federal Statistical Office assumes at least 9,100 students. This would correspond to at least ten per cent of all German medical students in total.
No clarity about where medical students go after graduation
“Almost nothing is known about the whereabouts of German medical graduates. Even the state authorities responsible for recognition and licensing in Germany have almost no comprehensive information in this regard,” says Gero Federkeil. ‘It would be good if policymakers could eliminate this great unknown with the help of a study to clarify whether there are any problems when entering the German healthcare system, for example,’ says the Head of International Projects at CHE.
Due to the shortage of doctors, more than 5,000 General practitioner (GP) posts are already vacant. A quarter of GPs in Germany are also planning to give up their practice within the next five years, as a recent survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation showed. ‘Systematically addressing the proportion of medical students who disappear from the radar due to their studies abroad could be an important building block in eliminating the shortage of specialists, in addition to increasing the number of medical study places,’ says Federkeil.
Highest average tuition fees in the Czech Republic and Hungary
For the ‘CHECK Medical Studies in Europe’, Gero Federkeil, Caroline Friedhoff and Richard Braun surveyed the study conditions of 97 medical degree programmes in Europe that are also or specifically aimed at international students. The overview provides information on study programmes in Austria, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands as well as detailed overviews of 55 study programmes in eleven countries in south-eastern Europe.
The differences in tuition fees are particularly large in an international comparison. While there are no tuition fees at public universities in Austria, the prices in other countries range from around 3,000 to 28,900 euros per academic year. Among the degree programmes in Eastern Europe, tuition fees in Bosnia, Bulgaria and Romania average less than 10,000 euros per year. Studying medicine is significantly more expensive in the Czech Republic and Hungary at an average of 16,000 euros.
CHECK provides information on application deadlines and costs
‘In view of study costs, which can quickly add up to a six-figure sum with a study period of six years plus living costs, you should thoroughly examine all offers and alternatives to international medical degree programmes that come into consideration,’ advises the author of the CHECK, Caroline Friedhoff. “These include regular study programmes in German-speaking countries or the Netherlands as well as special regional programmes where medical associations or clinics cover the tuition fees abroad if you commit to working in the region or at a local clinic for a minimum period of time after graduation.
The country-specific cost of living is also listed in the updated overview of the CHE guide, as are the current application deadlines and information on the admission procedures.
Most international medical degree programmes in Southeast Europe are offered in English; German-language programmes are available in Hungary and Croatia, among others. Knowledge of the respective national language is usually required for clinical training later on in the degree programme. Admission for a place on a degree programme is usually based on an entrance test for which a fee is charged. Proof of very good grades in scientific subjects and appropriate English language skills are often also required for the application.
About the publication
The „CHECK Medizinstudium in Europa – Angebote und Zugangsbedingungen für deutsche Studieninteressierte – Ausgabe 2025“ (only available in German) provides an overview of the international human medicine degree programmes on offer for German students. It includes information on national medical degree programmes at 42 universities in Austria, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands. In addition, there is a detailed presentation of 55 study programmes in Eastern and Southeastern Europe that are specifically aimed at international medical students. The CHECK contains information on tuition fees, duration of studies, programme structure and degree, language of instruction, number of study places, special features and national cost of living. In addition to the most important links, there is also concise information on the admission procedure and the application deadline for the next available study programme. The cut-off date for the survey was May 2025. The authors of the CHECK are Gero Federkeil, Caroline Friedhoff and Richard Braun.