Germany fast-tracks foreign pharmacists to combat critical staff shortages
Germany has taken steps to ease the shortage of pharmacists by simplifying the recognition of foreign qualifications. A new law, passed by the Bundestag, will remove bureaucratic barriers for professionals trained outside the EU. The changes aim to help pharmacies struggling with staff shortages across the country. The Bundestag approved the law to speed up the process for pharmacists with non-EU qualifications. Instead of lengthy equivalence checks, the new system will assess competency directly. This shift removes the need for extensive document reviews, making it easier for foreign-trained pharmacists to work in Germany.
The law is scheduled to come into force on November 1, 2026. However, it still requires the Bundesrat's approval, which could happen as early as May. Alongside this, minor updates to the Pharmacists' Licensing Regulations will ensure alignment with the Pharmacy Supply Development Act. The Federal Chamber of Pharmacists (BAK) has welcomed the move. BAK President Dr. Armin Hoffmann warned that thousands of pharmacists will be needed in the coming years. Official figures from 2024 show around 66,900 recognition procedures were completed across all regulated professions, with healthcare roles seeing particularly high demand from non-EU applicants.
The new law cuts red tape for pharmacists trained outside the EU. It replaces complex paperwork with a more straightforward competency test. Once fully in place, the changes should help fill gaps in Germany's pharmacy workforce.
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