Becoming A Pharmacist In Austria: Requirements And Steps

Austria is a popular destination for pharmacists seeking to expand their horizons, with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and high standard of living. The path to becoming a pharmacist in Austria includes several steps, from obtaining the necessary qualifications to adapting to the local healthcare system. In this paragraph, we will discuss the requirements and steps to become a pharmacist in Austria, including the educational path, language requirements, and career opportunities.

Recognise your qualifications

To work as a pharmacist in Austria, you must have your pharmaceutical qualifications recognised by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF). This process can be started by submitting an application online at the Recognition Information Application System (AAIS).

If you obtained your degree from a university in the EU, an EEA country, or Switzerland, you do not need recognition in Austria. However, if you obtained your degree from a third country, you will need to apply to a public university, University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule), or University of Teacher Education (Pädagogische Hochschule) for recognition of your degree. The competent university will then check within three months whether any supplementary examinations are required.

In addition to getting your foreign university degree recognised, you will also need to apply for a work permit in Austria. This includes proving proficiency in German, as most pharmacy programs are taught in German. This usually means passing a language test like ÖSD or TestDaF at a level of B2 or above.

After completing your academic requirements, you must pass a state exam to practice professionally. This includes an exam at the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists, after which you will get the approbation to be called a "pharmacist" and may work in a pharmacy without supervision.

Learn German

To become a pharmacist in Austria, you will need to have a good understanding of the German language. This is because most pharmacy programs are taught in German. To prove your proficiency, you will need to pass a language test such as ÖSD or TestDaF at the B2 level or above.

Learning German will help you meet the academic requirements for studying pharmacy in Austria. You can choose between three state universities (Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck) or the private university of Salzburg, all of which offer pharmacy programs. The curriculum is planned for ten semesters (five years), but most students need more time before graduating as "magister of pharmacy".

During your studies, you will learn the practical work in pharmacies and be required to attend an additional course of 10-12 days held by the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists. This course will cover topics such as the legal framework of pharmacists' work, which is essential knowledge for practicing in Austria.

After obtaining your degree, you will need to complete a one-year practice called the "aspirancy year" in a community or hospital pharmacy. This will provide you with hands-on experience and allow you to apply your German language skills in a professional setting.

Finally, at the end of your aspirancy year, you will need to pass an exam supervised by the Ministry of Health to obtain your approbation to be called "Apotheker" (Pharmacist). This qualification will enable you to work independently in a pharmacy in Austria, demonstrating the importance of having a strong command of the German language.

Get a work permit

To work as a pharmacist in Austria, you must register with the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists. This requires submitting proof of your pharmaceutical qualifications, a B2-level German language certificate, and possibly other documents like your passport and residence permit.

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, you must obtain a work permit. One standard route to obtaining a work permit is the Red-White-Red Card, which is based on a points system that considers factors like professional experience, language skills, and age. The Red-White-Red Card serves as an entry permit, and upon arrival in Austria, you will need to apply for a residence permit for longer stays.

Within three days of arriving in Austria, you must register your residence with the local authorities, known as the "Meldeamt" or "Einwohnermeldeamt". This process is called "Anmeldung" and is done in person at the local registration office of the area where you reside. You must bring a valid identification document (e.g., your passport), a rental contract or statement from the property owner confirming your residence, and, if applicable, your visa or Red-White-Red Card.

If you obtained your pharmacist qualification in an EU Member State, the EEA, or Switzerland, you can apply for recognition of your professional qualification at the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists. You will also need to apply for general professional authorization, which is obligatory for working in community or hospital pharmacy in Austria.

If you obtained your university degree from a third country (i.e., a non-EU/EEA country or Switzerland), you will need to apply for recognition in Austria. You must apply to a public university, University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule), or University of Teacher Education (Pädagogische Hochschule) for recognition of your degree, provided there is a comparable degree in Austria. The university will check within three months if any supplementary examinations are required.

In addition to recognition of your university degree, competent interest groups, such as the Medical Association, will check other relevant skills such as German language skills, which are essential for the job.

Study for a Bachelor's and Master's degree

To become a pharmacist in Austria, you must obtain a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in pharmacy. This typically takes five years in total, including three years for the Bachelor's program and two years for the Master's program.

There are three state universities in Austria that offer pharmacy programs: Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck. These universities are free of charge. The private university of Salzburg also offers a pharmacy course. Most students need more than the allotted five years to graduate as "magister of pharmacy."

The pharmacy curriculum covers a range of topics to prepare students for their future careers as pharmacists. During their studies, students learn the practical work involved in pharmacies and are also exposed to the legal framework of the pharmacist's profession, which is essential knowledge for their future practice.

If you are planning to immigrate to Austria as a pharmacist, there are a few important steps you should take. Firstly, research and choose universities in Austria that offer accredited pharmacy programs. Meet the academic requirements, which typically include a strong background in the sciences, and be prepared to take any specific entrance exams or prerequisite courses that may be required. Additionally, as most pharmacy programs in Austria are taught in German, you will need to prove your proficiency in the language by passing a language test, such as ÖSD or TestDaF, with a level of B2 or above.

It is important to note that if you have obtained your university degree from a country outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you will need to get your qualifications recognized in Austria. This process is overseen by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research (BMBWF), and you may need to take an equivalency examination or undergo additional training to meet Austrian standards.

Pass a state exam

To become a pharmacist in Austria, you must pass a state exam. This is the final step in the academic requirements to practice pharmacy professionally in the country. The state exam comes after a three-year bachelor's degree program and a two-year master's degree program in pharmacy.

The process of becoming a pharmacist in Austria involves a detailed and structured process, from university admission to professional registration. The first step is to research and choose universities in Austria that offer accredited pharmacy programs. The three state universities in Austria that offer degrees in pharmacy are Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck. The private university of Salzburg also plans to start a course in pharmacy. The curriculum is planned for ten semesters (five years), but most students need more time before they can graduate as "magister of pharmacy."

After completing your academic requirements, you must pass an exam at the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. If you succeed, you get the approbation to be called "Apotheker" (pharmacist) and may work in a pharmacy without supervision. For the first five years (full-time, 40 hours/week) after the exam, pharmacists may only lead a pharmacy temporarily for six weeks when the head pharmacist is away. After these five years, they may apply for the license ("Konzession") of a community pharmacy, either to take over an existing pharmacy or to open a new one.

In addition to passing the state exam, you must also get your foreign university degree recognized in Austria. This process is overseen by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research (BMBWF). You may need an equivalency examination or additional training to meet Austrian standards. Persons with a university degree from an EU country, an EEA country, or Switzerland do not need recognition in Austria. However, those with a degree from a third country must apply to a public university, University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule), or University of Teacher Education (Pädagogische Hochschule) for recognition of their degree.

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