Doctor (General Practitioner) Moving to Germany from Vietnam
This guide is specifically for a Vietnamese Doctor (General Practitioner) planning to relocate to Germany. It covers Vietnam-specific banking, documents, visa process, and salary expectations.
For information only. Visa rules, banking regulations, and document requirements change frequently. All information is sourced from official government and banking sources and is accurate as of the date shown. Always verify your specific situation with the relevant embassy, bank, or a licensed immigration adviser before taking action.
Documents to Get Before Leaving Vietnam
Start gathering these at least 8–12 weeks before your planned departure date.
Get an apostille for your medical degree from the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training.
Obtain a police clearance certificate from the Vietnam Public Security Department.
Get a credential certificate from the Vietnam Ministry of Health.
Apply for a work permit from the Vietnam Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.
Get a health certificate from a Vietnamese hospital, usually within 1 month of departure.
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Key financial steps before and after your move.
Notify Vietcombank of your departure to close your account or set it to inactive.
Apply for a new MST tax code in Germany, usually within 2 weeks of arrival.
Transfer your BHXH social insurance contributions to Germany, if eligible.
Consider transferring your BHYT health insurance to a German provider.
Apply for a lump-sum BHXH withdrawal (hưởng BHXH một lần) at your district BHXH office if you are permanently emigrating from Vietnam. From July 2025, eligibility rules tightened: you must be permanently leaving Vietnam and either have not reached pension age or have under 15 years of contributions. The payout formula is employee (8%) + employer (14%) contributions + accrued interest, less 10% PIT. Confirm your specific eligibility at the district BHXH office before departure as rules continue to evolve.
What to Close or Keep in Vietnam
Close your Vietnamese bank account if you won't be using it, or set it to inactive.
Keep your Vietnamese driving license valid for up to 6 months after departure.
Consider converting your Vietnamese driving license to a German one.
BHYT (social health insurance) is employment-linked and terminates automatically when you leave Vietnam; no action needed to close it. If you have a voluntary BHYT policy (e.g. through Bảo Việt or PVI), cancel it formally to stop auto-renewal charges.
Close your Vietnamese work permit account after departure.
Staying Connected with Vietnam
Use remittance services like Viettel Money or Momo to send money back to Vietnam.
Contact the Vietnam Embassy in Germany for assistance with documents and emergencies.
Choose a mobile carrier that offers international roaming, such as Viettel or VinaPhone.
Use a VPN to access Vietnamese websites and services while in Germany.
Complete Doctor (General Practitioner) Guide for Germany
This page covers Vietnam-specific preparation. For the full guide including salary data, visa types, qualification recognition, and employer information:
Full GermanyDoctor (General Practitioner) Guide →Also considering other European countries?
Dedicated /from-vietnam/ pages for these destinations launch with Tier 2.