Funding for the Fachsprachprüfung & Kenntnisprüfung: how the state helps you pay

Reading time approx. 9 minutes · For international doctors in the recognition procedure

By Dr. Pascal Bafteh · As of 09/2026

Preparing for the Fachsprachprüfung (FSP – the medical German language exam) and the Kenntnisprüfung (KP – the medical knowledge exam) can quickly cost several thousand euros: preparation courses often cost €2,000–3,500, and on top come exam fees (FSP approx. €350–650, KP e.g. around €1,050 in NRW) as well as translations and certified copies. What many people don't know: a large part of this can be funded by the state – often even in full. This guide explains the three most important funding routes, who gets them and how you apply.

Overview: the three funding routes

1. The BAMF Berufssprachkurs for academic health professions (C1)

The Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF – Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) funds, under the Deutschsprachförderverordnung (DeuFöV – German Language Support Ordinance), specialised job-related language courses for academic health professions – in other words exactly the medical German required in the Fachsprachprüfung. The courses usually comprise 600 teaching units up to level C1 and are offered by approved providers in person or online.

• Cost: In principle free of charge for participants. If you are already employed, you pay a contribution of your own (currently €2.56 per teaching unit), which can be partly refunded if you pass the exam.
• Exam fee: According to the BAMF, the costs of the Fachsprachprüfung are covered as part of these courses – for many people the single biggest item.
• Requirements: a medical degree completed abroad, German at B2 (with proof), an ongoing recognition procedure or the aim of working as a doctor in Germany.
• How to apply: You need a Teilnahmeberechtigung (entitlement to take part). It is issued by your Jobcenter, your Agentur für Arbeit or – if you are not registered there – directly by the BAMF. With this entitlement you register with a course provider of your choice.
• Documents: Which documents you need for the application for the Approbation (the full licence to practise) and where you get them – from the B2 certificate to the Führungszeugnis (certificate of good conduct) – is shown in our checklist with links.

2. The Anerkennungszuschuss

The federal Anerkennungszuschuss (implemented in the funding programme “Integration durch Qualifizierung – IQ”, Integration through Qualification) covers costs that arise in the recognition procedure. It has been extended until 2027; applications for admission to the funding can be made for the last time by 30 June 2027.

• Procedure costs (fees, translations, certified copies, expert reports): up to €600.
• Qualification analyses: up to €1,200.
• Qualification measures in the recognition procedure – these include adaptation courses, the Kenntnisprüfung itself as well as preparation courses for the Kenntnisprüfung and travel costs: up to €3,000.
• Requirements: a vocational or university qualification obtained abroad, main residence in Germany, taxable income up to €32,000 (single) or €50,000 (jointly assessed) – the limits were raised in 2025.
• Important: The grant must be approved before you spend the money – apply first, then book the course. The free IQ-Anerkennungsberatungsstellen (IQ recognition counselling centres) in every federal state help with the application.

3. Bildungsgutschein and AVGS from the Agentur für Arbeit

Many commercial FSP and KP preparation courses are AZAV-certified – so they can be financed through a Bildungsgutschein from the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter, usually at 100 %. This is the route that large providers also promote when they advertise “state funding”.

• Requirement: You are registered as job-seeking or unemployed. The Vermittlungsfachkraft decides case by case whether the measure supports your integration into the labour market – for doctors in the recognition procedure the case is usually strong: shortage of skilled workers, a clear career path, an existing qualification.
• Procedure: Make an appointment at the Agentur für Arbeit → name the career goal “Approbation als Ärzt:in” (licence to practise as a doctor) and the specific course (with its Maßnahmenummer, the course number) → receive the Bildungsgutschein → redeem it with the provider. Most providers help with the application.
• Tip: Compare providers – the agency does cover the course costs (often €3,000–3,500), but quality, format (online/in person) and exam simulations differ considerably.

4. Other routes that are often overlooked

• Employers: Many hospitals pay for FSP preparation and exam fees if you already work for them with a Berufserlaubnis (§ 10 BÄO) (temporary licence to practise) or have a contract in prospect – it is worth asking.
• Free advice: The IQ recognition and qualification counselling (IQ-Anerkennungs- und Qualifizierungsberatung) and the “Anerkennung in Deutschland” advice service (BIBB, Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training) clarify your individual funding route – free of charge and independent.
• State programmes: Some federal states and Ärztekammern (medical chambers) offer additional qualification or mentoring programmes; the IQ state networks know the current offers.

Step by step: your funding roadmap

1. Make an advice appointment with an IQ-Anerkennungsberatung (IQ recognition counselling) – there you will find out which funding suits your situation.
2. Clarify your status: Are you registered as job-seeking? If not: registering with the Agentur für Arbeit opens the way to the Berufssprachkurs entitlement and the Bildungsgutschein.
3. Apply for the BAMF Berufssprachkurs C1 – free of charge, including the FSP exam fee.
4. Apply for the Anerkennungszuschuss at the same time (before booking courses/translations!).
5. Have your eligibility for a Bildungsgutschein for an AZAV-certified KP preparation course checked.
6. Practise daily – regardless of any funding: the KLINIKFUCHS modules for FSP and Kenntnisprüfung are free, need no application and complement any funded course.

Frequently asked questions

Sources & official points of contact

1. BAMF – job-related language courses for the recognition of professional qualifications in healthcare (in German)
2. BAMF – Berufssprachkurse (DeuFöV): participation, costs, entitlement (in German)
3. Netzwerk IQ – Anerkennungszuschuss extended until 2027 (in German)
4. Anerkennung NRW – Anerkennungszuschuss: funding amounts and requirements (in German)
5. Bundesagentur für Arbeit – Bildungsgutschein / funding for continuing vocational training (in German)

Note: funding conditions, amounts and deadlines change (as of: September 2026). This article is for orientation only and is not legal or social-welfare advice. Binding information comes from the BAMF, the Agentur für Arbeit/Jobcenter, the IQ counselling centres and your Approbationsbehörde (licensing authority).