Source: https://www.abda.de/en/working-in-germany/recognition-of-degrees-in-pharmacy/working-as-a-foreign-pharmacist-in-germany/degree-in-pharmacy-earned-within-europe/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 10:16:33+00:00

Document:
If you have completed your pharmacy education in a member state of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland, the principles of automatic recognition will generally apply to your pharmacy degree. The automatic recognition process is regulated in, Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications (Professional Recognition Directive). In Germany, this directive is implemented in the form of the Federal Pharmacists Regulation (BApO).
A degree in pharmacy is recognized automatically if it meets certain minimum requirements defined by the Professional Recognition Directive. One decisive factor is completion of a pharmaceutical training program which lasted at least five years and included both fulltime theoretical and practical education of at least four years at a university or equally-recognized institution as well as an internship of at least six months in a publicly available pharmacy or hospital. The educational program must meet, at a minimum, the requirements set forth in annex V.6.1 of the Professional Recognition Directive.
The certificates listed in the appendix to the Federal Pharmacists Regulation may serve as proof of completion of such an educational program (see § 4 Para. 1a Federal Pharmacists Regulation). The certificate must refer to an education begun following the applicable key date specified. If you have a degree of a different nature, you will be required to provide the competent authorities with proof that the educational program meets the requirements of Art. 44 of the Professional Recognition Directive and corresponds with the certificates as set forth in the annex (see § 4 Abs. 1c Federal Pharmacists Regulation).
Pharmacists who began their education before the Professional Recognition Directive took effect in their member country are not excluded from recognition. The applicable key date can be found in the annex to the Federal Pharmacists Regulation. § 4a Para. 1a of the Federal Pharmacists Regulation states that, automatic recognition occurs if competent authorities issue documentation that the educational program meets the requirements set forth in Art. 44 of the Professional Recognition Directive. If you cannot provide such documentation, automatic recognition is still possible, but you will require documentation that shows that you have legally practiced pharmacy for an uninterrupted period of at least three years within the last five years (see § 4 Para. 1b Federal Pharmacists Regulation). If you are unable to meet these requirements, automatic recognition will not be granted. Instead, an equivalency assessment, like that performed in cases of non-European educations, shall be conducted as set forth in § 4 Para. 2 Federal Pharmacists Regulation.
If you completed your education in a newly admitted EU State (2004 or later) and you originate from a country of another sovereign territory (the Baltic states of the former Soviet Union, the Czech Republic and Slovakia of former Czechoslovakia, Croatia and Slovenia of former Yugoslavia), you are not excluded from automatic recognition. In addition to showing that you have legally worked as a pharmacist for a period of three uninterrupted years within the last five years, you must also provide a nationally-recognized equivalency certificate and proof of occupational competency (see § 4 Para. 1d Federal Pharmacists Regulation). If you are unable to meet these requirements, automatic recognition will not be granted. Instead, an equivalency assessment, like that performed in cases of non-European educations, shall be conducted as set forth in § 4 Para. 2 Federal Pharmacists Regulation.
If you do not meet the requirements for automatic recognition, the competent authorities will check the equivalency of your educational qualifications (see § 4 Para. 2 Federal Pharmacists Regulation). Should the authorities determine substantial differences between your educational qualifications and German programs, and these cannot be compensated for with additionally obtained knowledge or training, a so-called qualifying exam will be conducted (see § 22c License Ordinance for Pharmacists). The qualifying exam allows you to prove that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to practice the pharmacist profession in Germany. The topics of the exam are limited only to the subjects determined to be educational deficits. Additional information is available from the competent authorities at the state level in Germany.
In cases of a temporary performance of services, such as a holiday substitution in a pharmacy, a pharmacist from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, may work in Germany without applying for approbation beforehand. To do so, you must be legally established as a pharmacist in your country of origin. The temporary and occasional character - in particular, the duration, frequency, regularity and continuity - of the performance of services - shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. You must notify the competent authorities, in written form, prior to beginning professional activity in Germany (see § 11a Para. 2 Federal Pharmacists Regulation) and are subject to German labour law while performing professional services in Germany.
As a European pharmacist, you may apply for a "European Professional Card”. This is not a physical card, but an electronic process which can expedite recognition of your pharmacist education. You may electronically submit the application and necessary documentation to the authorities in your country of origin. They check and confirm the authenticity and validity of your documents before the competent authorities in Germany decide upon recognition of your pharmacist education. It is possible to track the status of your application online.
The SOLVIT network has been established to help people with any problems they have when getting their qualifications and degrees recognised within the European Union and to generally support working, studying and living abroad. All EU citizens experiencing difficulties with authorities because of their nationality are supported and SOLVIT offices have been established in all EU countries. In Germany, the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie) is the SOLVIT representative. If recognition is denied, the applicant may have the judgment reviewed by the administrative court responsible.
When applying for approbation, please begin by filling out the application form. This can normally be downloaded from the internet website of the competent authorities. Before approbation can be granted, additional documents and certification will be required to show that you fulfil all requirements (see § 4 Para. 6 Federal Federal Pharmacists Regulation, § 20 License Ordinance for Pharmacists).
You may also initially apply for a permit allowing you to temporarily practice the pharmacist profession for a period of up to two years (see §§ 11 Federal Pharmacists Regulation, §§ 22a, § 22b License Ordinance for Pharmacists). This permit is granted to persons able to prove completion of pharmacy studies outside of the EU, EEA or Switzerland and may be limited to specific activities and types of occupational positions. This can, for instance, mean that you may limited to working in a specific pharmacy and/or only under the supervision of another pharmacist. The permit does not represent recognition of the degree or qualifications obtained in a foreign country but it also does not prevent you from receiving approbation. During the, generally speaking, two-year period in which you are allowed to practice limited pharmacy duties, you can gain first-hand practical experience while preparing for the language or other assessment exams required of you.
As a citizen of the EU or the EEA, you are allowed to enter Germany without a visa and have unlimited access to the German labour market. A valid passport or identity card is required for entry. As a citizen of Switzerland, you are also allowed to enter Germany and work without a visa but must, however, apply for a special residency permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis-Schweiz).

References: § 4
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