Language hurdle: Almost every second foreign doctor fails in Saxony!

Language hurdle: Almost every second foreign doctor fails in Saxony!

A shocking revelation rocks Germany's medical landscape: almost every second foreign doctor who tries his luck in this country fails the language test. It's hard to believe, but according to FREILICH, this debacle particularly affects Saxony, where 49 percent of international candidates had to capitulate to the language barrier. FREILICH Magazine reported that out of 200 Syrian doctors, an alarming 112 failed, while among the Ukrainians, 15 out of 26 failed.

The background to these hair-raising results lies in the rigid catalog of requirements that foreign doctors have to fulfill. Language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​and special technical language at C1 create high hurdles. And the costs? Depending on the federal state, each repetition requires between 390 and 600 euros - with no limit on attempts.

A look back at Germany: What are the biggest problems?

It's not just Saxony that is struggling with the language test hurdle. Between June 2023 and May 2024, Bavaria recorded a pass rate of just 56.2 percent - 1,045 of 2,383 exams failed. In Berlin, on the other hand, 38 percent of the examinees failed, while Brandenburg even had around 50 percent failures. Other federal states such as North Rhine or Bremen do not report any more optimistic figures. With a failure rate of 40 to 45 percent, Hamburg is at least below the national average, according to the local medical association.

But credit where credit is due! Thuringia is a positive exception with only 26 percent of cases of diarrhea, surpassing even Lower Saxony, whose rate is 56.3 percent.

Criticism and new demands: The call for German standards

This testing dilemma does not go unnoticed in politics. The AfD is critical: Sebastian Wippel sees today's examination practices as inadequate and calls for an adjustment of medical standards. In his opinion, doctors from third countries should complete further German exams before working in patient care. Health policy spokesman Martin Sichert emphasizes: The current tests reflect a “fundamental grievance”.

The party is also vehemently committed to tackling the roots of the problem directly. More medical study places, the abolition of bureaucratic hurdles and a uniform remuneration system for all practices should bring long-term improvement. However, it remains to be seen whether these demands will find further political support. Ultimately, says Sichert, the quality and safety of patient care in Germany must always come first.

At the end of the day, the question remains: Can the shortage of skilled workers really be so easily filled with foreign doctors when the language barrier seems almost insurmountable? This dramatic realization will probably stay with us for a while! For current discussions and information, refer to an article the current developments from FREILICH on Twitter.