Veterinarians in Short Supply: Global Talent Pools Tapped Amid Shortfall
Foreign veterinarians being actively recruited due to domestic skills gap - Consultation Conducted Regarding Proposed Regulations for Animal and Environmental Welfare
When it comes to missing doctors in rural areas, it's not just a human medicine concern: the unfilling of positions has led to an increasing trend of recruiting veterinarians from abroad. Matthias Link from Varrel near Kirchdorf has been employing foreign vets such as an Iranian vet and one from Iran since 2024.
Asal Ilkhani Zadeh, originating from the bustling metropolis of Tehran, now calls a village near Sulingen home. "Initially, it was tough because people in this area speak differently than what I learned in my German course, especially when they're anxious about their pets," admits the 30-year-old.
The work life of Zadeh and her colleague Mohammad Ranjbar from Tabriz in northern Iran aren't drastically different from their homeland, they say. Zadeh tends to the small animal practice while Ranjbar focuses on the livestock practice. Ranjbar picked up various terms like milk fever, stone calf, or farrowing from farmers during his first farm visits in Varrel. Ranjbar is content in north Germany: "I enjoy the peace and nature here, and the friendly people too."
Around 3,000 practice owners will retire due to age
Although the number of practicing vets nationwide has increased since 2013, many are only employed part-time, with the female share exceeding 70 percent. Over the next ten years, at least 3,000 practice owners with their own practice will retire in Germany. "As a self-employed person, I work 50 to 60 hours a week, which means I'd need one and a half to two more colleagues," says Dr. Link, who is 61 years old and has been running his practice for 28 years.
The Lower Saxony state government is engaging a faster procedure for recognizing foreign veterinary qualifications due to the gap. Unfortunately, the matter has been postponed in the Bundesrat, reveals Minister of Agriculture Miriam Staudte (Greens). The issue isn't confined to veterinary practice owners; even offices are grappling with skills shortages. "It's not just about healthy animals, but also about disease control, feed, and food safety," Staudte notes.
The Lower Saxony Veterinary Chamber had 6,819 members last year, with 324 non-German citizens among them, equating to a 4.8 percent foreign share. There are currently 22 applications for the granting of licenses from so-called third countries - these primarily hail from Ukraine, Iran, and Turkey.
To expedite the recognition of foreign degrees, Staudte proposes a knowledge test instead of reviewing documents, a solution that could prove helpful if documentation can't be provided in the event of a flight or afterward.
According to the Lower Saxony Veterinary Chamber, the labor issue can only be tackled in the short term by welcoming additional colleagues from abroad. Around 800 practice owners in Lower Saxony are 57 years and older and will likely retire in the next ten years. Simultaneously, the number of study places at the five veterinary medicine locations in Germany has remained virtually unchanged. The female share among graduates is 85 percent.
The demand for veterinary care is escalating.
Matthias Link has previously employed vets from Iran, Bulgaria, Poland, Turkey, and Guinea-Bissau. Many have since become independent veterinarians and run their own practices, Link highlights. However, the situation has become more pressing, Link contends. "You hardly get any applicants who respond to job postings anymore." Meanwhile, demand for veterinary services is mounting, particularly in the pet sector, owing to medical advancements.
"What we do now with small animals isn't the same as before," declares Link. "The possibilities were more limited, but the financial commitment from owners towards their pets' care was lower too." Link has had favorable encounters with his foreign colleagues, including the two new ones from Iran. "Language skills are vital," Link reasons. "Communication, which constitutes about 80% of our job, remains the same for almost all jobs that involve people."
International Recruitment
Diversifying the pool of vets by tapping into global talent could prove beneficial for Germany. Implementing strategies like the following:
- Streamlining the recognition process for foreign qualifications and offering language training to facilitate integration.
- Providing cultural orientation to help foreign vets adapt to the local environment and communicate effectively with clients.
Educational Partnerships
Partnering with foreign veterinary schools can promote German veterinary standards, attract potential candidates, and provide hands-on experience via scholarships and internships.
Government Initiatives
Enhancing visa and work permit processes, and recognized foreign vet qualifications, can make it easier for foreign veterinarians to relocate to Germany. Facilitating this could provide immediate relief to the shortage and promote cultural diversity within the local veterinary community.
- In the face of an increasing shortage of veterinarians in Germany, the need for vocational training has become more pressing, especially as over 3,000 practice owners are expected to retire in the next decade.
- The lack of skilled professionals isn't limited to veterinary practices; it also affects offices. This situation underlines the importance of international recruitment, with strategies such as streamlining the recognition process for foreign qualifications and offering language training playing a crucial role in facilitating integration of global talent pools in the German veterinary community, promoting health-and-wellness, and ensuring science-based practices in the field of animal care.
