Studying Dentistry Without a Numerus Clausus Abroad: Locations, Costs and Key Differences

Why dentistry abroad works

The dental profession is harmonised across the EU. Directive 2005/36/EC sets the minimum length and scope of training, and degrees from public universities listed in Annex V are recognised in Germany, Austria and Switzerland without an additional exam. So if you study in the EU abroad, you reach your licence to practise (Approbation) through the same legal route as graduates of German faculties.

Locations offering dentistry in English or German

{{cta}}

What's different in dentistry

Hands-on work starts very early. While the first two years of medicine are theory-heavy, dentistry has you working on a phantom head from the very beginning. Patient contact starts correspondingly early too.

Small groups are essential. Treatment chairs are limited, which makes the student-to-supervisor ratio more important here than in almost any other subject. At the Bulgarian faculties, it's up to ten students per lecturer.

Material costs. Students in Germany usually buy their own instruments and materials. At many universities abroad, these are included in the programme. That's an item worth several thousand euros that's often missing from cost comparisons.

The special case of transferring back

If you want to transfer from abroad into dentistry in Germany, there are three things worth knowing. First: the relevant authority is the state examination office, based on the dental licensing regulations. Second: since these regulations changed in 2021, students transferring location often face being set back by one or more semesters, because practical courses abroad are structured differently. Third: several German faculties already require proof of the dental preparatory course for the pre-clinical application, and this is usually not credited from abroad.

In practice, that means: completing your degree abroad is often the more direct route in dentistry than switching partway through. It leads to the same destination, just without the detour.

We're happy to talk through what that means for your plans - book a free consultation with us.

After your studies

After earning your licence to practise, Germany requires a preparatory period as an employed dentist, after which setting up your own practice becomes possible. In Switzerland, recognition goes through MEBEKO and registration in the healthcare professions register. Demand for dentists is high in all three German-speaking countries, especially outside the major cities.