Your Path to a Clinical Observership (Hospitation) in Germany:

Michael Pätzold
Dec 11
2 min read

A Key Step on Your Career Journey

Are you studying medicine in an English-language program within the EU—perhaps in Sofia, Plovdiv, Riga, Milan, or Szczecin—and already looking forward to your professional future? For many international medical students, Germany is a top destination due to its excellent medical standards and attractive career opportunities.

However, before you get your license to practice (Approbation) and land your first assistant physician position, one crucial step is nearly indispensable: a Clinical Observership (Hospitation) in a German clinic or practice.

At CareMP2, we understand how important this step is and how to successfully navigate it.

What Exactly is a "Hospitation"?

A "Hospitation" is essentially a form of "job shadowing." You accompany experienced doctors in their daily hospital routine, look over their shoulders, participate in ward rounds, and gain valuable insights into the German healthcare system, workflows, and communication with patients and colleagues.

Important: It is not an active activity involving direct patient treatment. It is purely about observation and learning.

Why is an Observership in Germany So Valuable?

The observership is much more than just a standard internship:

Language Immersion: The best way to learn medical terminology "in the field." You experience the clinical routine in German.
Networking: You build initial contacts with chief physicians and teams—often a direct path to a later job offer.
Approbation Advantage: A successfully completed observership, ideally lasting several weeks, demonstrates engagement and initial system knowledge to German authorities and employers.
Cultural Adaptation: You learn the "German way" of patient care.

How to Find Your Observership Spot – Step by Step

The search can be challenging, but with the right approach, it will work:

Step 1: Define Your Goals

In which specialty do you want to observe (Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, etc.)? In which region of Germany? Consider what you want to learn.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

You need a complete and professional application, usually consisting of:

Cover Letter: Personalized and highly motivated. Explain why you want to observe in this specific clinic and this specific department.
CV (Resume): Complete, in German, and with a focus on your medical experience.
Certificate of Enrollment: Confirmation of your current university status.
Language Certificate (Optional, but highly recommended): Proof of German language skills (at least B2, ideally C1).

Step 3: Contact Clinics and Hospitals

Speculative Applications: Write directly to the chief physicians' secretariats or HR departments.
Our Tip: Start with smaller hospitals in more rural regions. Your chances are often higher there than in large university hospitals in metropolitan areas like Berlin or Munich.

Step 4: Clarify Formalities

Once you have secured a spot, you often need to provide proof of liability insurance and sign a formal agreement with the hospital.

We at caremp2.com Help You

The search for the perfect observership can be complex, especially from abroad. This is exactly where caremp2.com comes in.

We specialize in connecting international medical students and graduates with suitable German clinics and practices. We support you in optimizing your application documents, leverage our network, and help you find the perfect starting point for your medical career in Germany.

Are you ready for the next step?