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 is required.

Further information on the prerequisites for medical practice in Austria can be found in the Information sheet Taking up medical activities in Austria (→ ÖÄK)^{German text} of the Austrian Medical Chamber.

Medical qualifications issued by an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland in accordance with Professional Qualifications Directive 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
E-Mail: 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 EUR 290,03 and EUR 1.883,71 apply (Fees 2025).

Further information

This application is for the profession of:

• Doctor with basic medical training
• General practitioner, as of 01.06.2026, 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 (2) or (3) of the Medical Practitioners Act 1998, persons who hold a diploma of special training in general medicine pursuant to Section 15 (1) (1) of the Medical Practitioners Act 1998 or a corresponding qualification pursuant to Section 5 (2) or Section 5a of the Medical Practitioners Act 1998 are, as of 01.01.2025, 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

• §§ 4, 5, 5a, 13b, 27, 28, 262 Ärztegesetz 1998 (ÄrzteG 1998)
• Ärzte-/Ärztinnen-EU-Qualifikationsnachweis-Verordnung (Ärzte/Ärztinnen-EU-VO 2014)
• 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.