One-time flat fees. No hidden upsells. Solvia is one line in your overall homologation budget — third-party costs (translations, apostilles, exam fees, government filings) you pay direct.
I am applying to:
31 October Sprint
We file your Approbation application before 31 October 2026 — the last applications under the current law. The earlier your documents reach us, the safer the filing.
October filing slots are limited.
One service, two prices
The difference is the visa. Official costs are never inside our price: you see them line by line and pay them directly.
The file
For doctors already in Germany or the EU, or who handle their own visa.
EUR 1,490
EUR 745 at the start, EUR 745 when we file
State strategy: we file in the state that is best for your case
Your document checklist, and we track every item with you
We draft and file your application under your power of attorney
We answer the authority's letters
Translations at our partner rates
Two years of personal support, one case manager until your licence
From zero German to your licence: EUR 1,990 plus German at EUR 189 a month. Over 12 to 16 months of classes that is about EUR 4,300 to 5,000 in Solvia fees, plus the official costs.
Official costs: about EUR 2,000 to 2,700
Authority, translator and exam centres, shown with Berlin’s fees as the example. They differ by state. You pay each one directly, when it falls due.
Your whole bill, Germany example: Berlin, amounts in EUR
Authority feeto the state authority250-430
Sworn translationsto the translator, varies with your documents400-900
German exam B2to the exam centre235-310
Medical language examFSP, to the state medical chamber550
Knowledge examKP, only if required540
Solvia service, fixedNothing on top of this.1,490
Totalabout3,500-4,200
Third parties are paid by you, directly, when they arise. Official fees differ by state. We file where it is best for you, and you see that state’s bill before you pay.
Fixed fee. Every third-party cost itemised before you pay.
Agencies quote one number. We publish ours.
The honest comparison other agencies won't show you.
A typical agency: €15,000–20,000 — one figure, no breakdown.
They sell you FSP/KP prep you may not need. We publish our fee, itemize every third-party cost, and route you to the exam that fits — often skipping the €2,000–5,000 of prep. You see every euro before you pay anyone.
Templates and document checklists work even if you cancel after the kickoff call.
Honest answers before you commit
The questions candidates actually ask before paying for help. We answer them up front so you can decide whether Solvia is right for you.
Will my degree even be recognized in Germany or Austria?
Whether your qualification comes from inside or outside the EU, the answer is yes, the route just differs. An EU/EEA medical or nursing qualification is recognized largely automatically under the EU professional-qualifications directive; the main things left are proving your German and registering. A non-EU qualification goes through an equivalence procedure: in Germany the responsible state authority (Landesbehörde) for your Bundesland, with the relevant Kammer where required, assesses whether your training is equivalent; in Austria the path runs through Nostrifikation at a designated institution. For non-EU applicants, whether you land on the document-based equivalence track or the exam (Kenntnisprüfung) track depends on your country of origin, your qualification, and when you apply. One date matters: from 1 November 2026 the federal Approbation reform makes the Kenntnisprüfung the default in Germany, and only applications filed by 31 October 2026 are guaranteed the document-based route first (§15 BÄO). The wizard tells you which authority and which track apply to you.
How long does the process really take?
If your qualification is from the EU/EEA, it's fast, often around six months, since the diploma is recognized largely automatically and the main variable is your German and registration. For non-EU physicians applying for the German Approbation, plan for 12–24 months end to end, with 36 months as a realistic worst case. That covers document procurement and apostille in your home country, sworn translation in Germany, the Fachsprachprüfung (medical-German C1 exam), and, where required, the Kenntnisprüfung. Austria runs on a similar timeline.
What does the whole thing cost, not just your fee?
As an example, with a file in Berlin: about €3,500 to €4,200 in total with our fee included. That is the authority fee (€250 to €430), sworn translations (€400 to €900, depending on your documents), the B2 German exam (€235 to €310), the Fachsprachprüfung (€550) and, where required, the Kenntnisprüfung (€540), plus our fixed €1,490. You pay each third party directly, when it falls due, and you see the full bill line by line on this page. Not in that total: apostilles and documents in your home country, a German course if you still need one, and your living costs until you start work. Official fees differ by state: we file where it is best for your case and show you that state’s bill before you pay.
What does the €1,490 actually buy me?
A homologation plan specific to your country of origin, your profession, and your Bundesland, with the document checklist, the sequence of authorities, and all templates. On top of that, Solvia runs the bureaucracy for you: unlimited document reviews, we draft and file your Antrag under Vollmacht, handle authority correspondence, and manage the Mängelbescheid response. The €1,490 does NOT cover third-party costs (translations, apostilles, exam fees, authority filing fees); those you pay directly to the providers, at preferred rates through our vetted partners.
Can I start working in Germany or Austria before the recognition is finalized?
Often yes. In Germany the Berufserlaubnis is a temporary professional permit that lets you practise under supervision while your full Approbation is still in process, it is typically issued faster and on lighter requirements. In Austria, since the BMA-Erlass of 2022, foreign-trained nurses can be issued a Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte and work in reduced-scope DGKP roles under §32 GuKG during their Nostrifikation, and hospitals actively run this pathway for international candidates. The wizard flags whether an interim permit fits your case.
What if Saudi Arabia or the Emirates offer me triple the salary?
Compare over 10 years, not 12 months: in the Gulf your license is tied to the contract and the employer, there is no path to permanent residency, and when the contract ends you start over from zero. If your plan really is to maximize cash for 2–3 years and go back, the Gulf may be your best option, and we'll tell you just as plainly: we are not your agency for that. If you want a lifelong career, European citizenship and a plan for your family, Germany or Austria win every row that matters.
What happens if I fail the Kenntnisprüfung or the Fachsprachprüfung?
You can retake both. The Kenntnisprüfung typically allows two retakes (three attempts in total; the exact number varies by authority). The Fachsprachprüfung allows multiple attempts, and Austria's Nostrifikation exams can likewise be repeated. Your Solvia plan includes timing strategy and pointers to the standard prep resources (AMBOSS, Apollon and similar) so you do not sit either exam under-prepared. We do not replace exam prep, we tell you when to enrol, in what order, and how to budget for it.
