Medical Doctors – Qualifications – Recognition

General information

In Austria the medical profession may only be exercised on the condition that the general (e.g. sufficient knowledge of German language) and specific prerequisites for medical activity are fulfilled, furthermore registration with the Austrian Medical Chamber [Österreichische Ärztekammer] is required.

Further information on the prerequisites for medical practice in Austria can be found in the Information sheet on medical practice in Austria (→ ÖÄK) of the Austrian Medical Chamber.

Medical qualifications issued by an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland in accordance with Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC (→ EU) are recognized by the Austrian Medical Chamber.

Requirements

Medical qualifications issued by an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland

Competent authority

Austrian Medical Chamber
Weihburggasse 10–12
1010 Wien

email: international@aerztekammer.at

Procedure

The application for the recognition of medical qualifications may be submitted in person, by post or by electronic means.

Application forms including information on the required information may be found on the Website of the Austrian Medical Chamber:

• Application for automatic recognition of an EEA qualification (→ ÖÄK)^{German text}
• Application for non-automatic recognition of an EEA qualification (→ ÖÄK)^{German text}

The application can also be submitted online:

• Application for automatic recognition of an EEA qualification (→ ÖÄK)^{German text}
• Application for non-automatic recognition of an EEA qualification (→ ÖÄK)^{German text}

Preliminary proceedings: formal examination of qualifications, in the case of non-automatic recognition detailed examination of qualifications, if necessary an aptitude test or an adaption period is imposed

Length of Proceedings: up to three months, up to four months in the case of non-automatic recognition

Costs and fees

The Austrian Medical Chamber must issue a confirmation to persons upon request that their professional qualification is recognized in Austria. A processing fee may be charged for issuing this certificate.

In case of non-automatic recognition administrative fees depending on actual effort from 300,58 Euro and 1.952,24 Euro apply (Fees 2026).

Further information

This application is for the profession of:

• Doctor with basic medical training
• General practitioner, as of 1 June 2026, specialist in general medicine and family medicine
• Specialised doctor in another specialty

Transitional clause for the acquisition of the title of Specialist in General Practice and Family Medicine:

• Subject to the requirements of Section 262 paragraph 2 or 3 of the Ärztegesetz (Medical Practitioners Act – ÄrzteG), persons who hold a diploma of special training in general medicine pursuant to Section 15 paragraph 1 (1) of the ÄrzteG or a corresponding qualification pursuant to Section 5 (2) or Section 5a of the ÄrzteG are, as of 1 January 2025, entitled to use the title "Specialist in general medicine and family medicine" or "Specialist in general medicine and family medicine" after registration in the list of doctors.
• The new title then replaces the previous title of general practitioner.

Legal bases

• sections 4, 5, 5a, 13b, 27, 28, 262 of the Ärztegesetz (ÄrzteG)
• Ärzte-/Ärztinnen-EU-Qualifikationsnachweis-Verordnung (Ärzte/Ärztinnen-EU-VO)
• Anhang zur Verordnung der Österreichischen Ärztekammer über die Einhebung einer Bearbeitungsgebühr im übertragenen Wirkungsbereich
• Verordnung der Österreichischen Ärztekammer über Organisation und Durchführung der Eignungsprüfung im Rahmen des Verfahrens zur Eintragung in die Ärzteliste gemäß § 27 iVm § 5a Abs 5 und § 37 Abs 11 ÄrzteG

Means of redress or appeal

A complaint against a decision may be submitted to the Austrian Medical Chamber within four weeks from the delivery of the decision.