CDU claim: Foreign medical students should remain five years!

CDU claim: Foreign medical students should remain five years!

Deutschland - The CDU parliamentary group in Saxony-Anhalt has launched a remarkable proposal for the regulation of foreign medical students. On June 12, 2025, the decision will be discussed in the state parliament that international graduates will have to practice in the state for at least five years after studying medicine or have to repay the costs of their training. This is part of a broader strategy to ensure that the study places that are financed by the taxpayer also benefit the German society.

The CDU politician Marco Tullner emphasizes the need to create legal requirements for this obligation. Almost 500,000 foreign students are currently studying in Germany, with medical courses in particular being very popular. Compared to other countries, tuition fees in Germany are significantly lower; Medical study places cost almost no fees, while they can reach up to 16,000 euros per year in other European countries.

high costs and skilled workers' needs

A medical study place in Germany comes to around 31,000 euros annually. This sum not only includes teaching costs, but also the extensive equipment of the universities. Therefore, CDU representatives such as Sepp Müller have called for foreign medical students to stay in the country after completing their conclusion or have to cover the costs incurred. Tino Sorge sees an urgent need for action because the departure of specialists urgently has to be stopped. Implements like this should ensure that the federal government maintains the attractive training conditions for international talents and at the same time managed the challenges of demographic change.

In addition, Florian Müller from the CDU/CSU expressed concerns that Germany had to be better to bind international talents. Müller suggests increasing tuition fees in order to alleviate the financial pressure on the education system and create more incentives. This contradicts the current situation in which many students, also from abroad, see Germany as an ideal goal for studying medicine, especially due to the favorable tuition fees of only 150 to 300 euros per semester.

approval process for international students

Access to German universities is relatively uncomplicated for students from EU countries, since no visa is required and a direct application is possible. In contrast, applicants from non-EU countries have to expect strict restrictions on admission; Only 5 % of the study places are reserved for them. Applicants who cannot strive for direct studies in Germany still have the option of finding their way to German universities via a student colleague or initially studying in their own country.

In many cases, the application can be made via the platform uni-assist.de, where the costs for processing applications are also regulated. The students also have to prove their knowledge of German, which is particularly important for non-EU applicants. The conclusion of tests such as the test for medical courses (TMS) or the test for foreign students (testas) can also increase the chances of a place of study.

The value of medical studies abroad

The decision to start a medical degree abroad is also facilitated by the possibility of financial support. Programs such as BAföG, student loans or scholarships can significantly relieve the start of the study. While the possibility of wining a study place in Germany is decreasing due to increasing demand, studying abroad is worthwhile for many because doctors in Germany can achieve an attractive income and become professional at an early stage.

The debate about the regulations for foreign medical students could have a decisive impact on future university policy in Germany. The path of how Germany continues to attract international talents and at the same time covers domestic needs for medical specialist staff is now the focus of the political discussion.