Transfer from Szczecin back to Germany: Why the Location Makes It Easier

The author's view

Marcel Kloos is a Swiss-licensed dentist and today owner of Medschool Experts in Bern. He completed his own medical and dental studies from 2015 to 2021 in Sofia, starting at 24 without a conventional background. That experience, combined with advising hundreds of students, shapes his view of Szczecin as a study location. Hardly any other place gives students such a strong position so early, because the first year of study there already sits close to the German curriculum in content.

His assessment: anyone studying in Szczecin who is thinking about a return should not wait for a supposedly ideal later moment. In advising sessions he repeatedly notices that students from Szczecin underestimate how well their curriculum already matches the German system — and postpone the question out of respect for a process they imagine to be complicated. That respect is misplaced. The decision does not have to be made alone, and it does not have to be made in the dark: an early, honest look at your own documents turns a vague worry into a clear picture, and it costs nothing but an email.

He also makes a point of saying the other half out loud. Nobody in Szczecin is trapped. The Polish degree is recognised across the EU for licensure, so finishing there is a complete plan, not a fallback. A transfer is worth considering when it fits your life — not because you fear the alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions About Transferring from Szczecin to Germany

Is my degree from Szczecin recognised in Germany?

Yes. Poland is an EU member state, and a medical degree completed in Szczecin is automatically recognised for licensure under EU Directive 2005/36/EC. That applies to the finished degree — which is why staying in Szczecin and finishing there is a perfectly sound plan in its own right.

Why is Szczecin considered a good starting point for a return?

Because the curriculum of the Pomeranian Medical University sits closer to the German structure than that of many other international locations. What you achieve there carries weight in Germany from early on, which is not true everywhere.

How far back in can I get?

That depends entirely on what you have completed, and it is assessed individually — which is why we do not publish a table here that might not apply to you. What we can tell you is our approach: we always aim at the highest possible entry point, and transfer students frequently join in the final two academic years. Send us your transcript and we will tell you what is realistic in your case.

Can I transfer after any semester?

Broadly speaking, a move is worth examining at more than one point in your studies, and the right moment differs from person to person. Rather than guess, let us look at your documents — the review is free and tells you where you actually stand.

What do I need to send you?

To start with, simply your transcript of records and a short note on where you would like to end up. Anything else we need, we will ask for. We do not publish document checklists here because requirements differ from one university and one intake to the next, and they change.

Is it better to stay in Szczecin or to return?

Both routes lead to the German Approbation, so there is no wrong answer in principle — only a better and a worse fit for your situation, your family and your plans. That is precisely the kind of question a consultation is for.

What does the consultation cost?

Nothing. We review your documents, tell you at which university in which country we can place you and where we can get you in on a plan you can rely on. Our partner network covers medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and veterinary medicine.

How early should I get in touch?

Earlier than most people do. Knowing where you stand gives you a genuine choice; finding out late often narrows it. There is no cost and no obligation attached to asking.