Legal Steps to Obtain the Doctoral Title (Dr. med.) During or After Medical Studies

Getting the medical doctorate title (Dr. med.) in Germany: The official and legal pathway

In Germany, earning the title Dr. med. requires more than simply completing medical studies. You must follow a defined scientific and administrative process, either during your studies or after graduation.

Below are the detailed official steps you need to take to obtain the title:

First: What is “Dr. med.” in Germany?
Dr. med. is a legally recognised academic title awarded only after:

• Completing medical studies and obtaining Approbation (licence to practise)

• Writing and submitting a scientific dissertation

• Completing the doctoral procedure (Promotionsverfahren) (depending on the university, with a disputation or an oral exam)

Without a dissertation, you are a licensed physician with Approbation — but not an academic “doctor” in the formal sense.

The legal/official steps in detail:

1. Registration as a doctoral candidate (Promotionsstudent)
At some universities you must register formally with the Promotions Office (Promotionsbüro). This usually happens when:

• You sign an agreement with your supervisor

• You submit an initial research plan

• You prove that you are a medical student in the clinical phase or already graduated

Some universities allow you to start your doctorate during your studies, while others allow it only after graduation.

2. Choosing a supervisor (Doktorvater/Doktormutter)

• The supervisor is usually a professor or a doctor with habilitation.

• A supervision agreement (Betreuungsvereinbarung) is signed, defining:

  • the research topic

  • the timeline

  • responsibilities of both parties

3. Writing the dissertation (Dissertation verfassen)
Requirements differ depending on the type of dissertation (experimental, statistical, literature review). You must:

• Follow research ethics (e.g., patient consent where required)

• Ensure originality and independent work (e.g., plagiarism checks)

4. Submitting the dissertation (Einreichen der Dissertation)
After finishing the research and writing:

• Print and submit hard copies (often 3–5, depending on the university)

• Attach typically:

  • an academic CV (wissenschaftlicher Lebenslauf)

  • proof of medical degree or enrolment confirmation

  • declaration of independent authorship (Erklärung der Eigenständigkeit)

  • supervisor’s approval

5. Assessment (Gutachten) and acceptance

• The dissertation is sent to two reviewers (often the supervisor plus another professor).

• After approval, the formal steps toward awarding the title begin.

6. Oral exam / Disputation

• Some universities require a public oral defence before a committee.

• Others complete the process based on written reviews without a formal defence.

• Always check your university’s regulations — some medical faculties (e.g., Charité) do not necessarily require a formal disputation.

7. Publication (Publikation)
A mandatory requirement at all universities:

• Publication via an academic publisher

• Online publication through the university

• Publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal

You cannot legally use the title until publication is completed and you receive the official certificate (Urkunde).

8. Official awarding of the title (Verleihung des Titels)

• After publication, you receive the doctoral certificate (Urkunde).

• Only then may you legally write:
  Max Mustermann, Dr. med.

Expected duration (typical):

Legal framework and references

• The key document is your faculty’s Promotionsordnung (doctoral regulations), published by each university.

• You must also comply with:

  • the state Higher Education Act (Hochschulgesetz)

  • data protection and ethics committee rules (Datenschutz + Ethikkommission)

  • plagiarism rules and academic authorship/copyright standards

Important notes

• You may not use “Dr.” in signatures or official documents until all steps are completed.

• Some German states impose fines for unlawful use of academic titles.

• The doctorate is not entered into the ID card, but it can be used in professional and official documents.

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Editorial notice
The writing and editorial team aims to provide accurate information through extensive research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some information may be unconfirmed. Please treat the content as initial guidance and always consult the competent authorities for verified information.