Skip to content
Professional Facility Guide

Required documents to open a physiotherapy center

Select a country to see the official documents, licenses, and facility standards needed to open a physiotherapy center.

25
Countries
16
Arab countries covered
2026-09
Last verified
🇩🇪

Germany

Prepared facility-licensing dossier
Licensing authority
State health authority (Heilmittelpraxis) + Gewerbeanmeldung / professional registration + associations for billing
Legal form
Freelance practice (freiberuflich) or company; Heilmittel practices follow state (Land) rules
Typical timeline
4–12 months including Approbation/Berufserlaubnis of the director
Typical fees
Practice notification + chamber + liability insurance + Kassenzulassung if billing statutory insurers
Area / layout
Hygiene, accessibility and room standards of the Land; barrier-free access is often expected
Technical director
Staatliche Anerkennung as Physiotherapeut/in (Approbation or Berufserlaubnis)
Official & Useful Links
Recognition in Germany
Required documents checklist
  • Professional recognition (Anerkennung) of the director
  • Gewerbeanmeldung or freelance registration as required by the Land
  • Practice notification to the health office (Gesundheitsamt)
  • Berufshaftpflicht (professional liability) insurance
  • Lease, fire and hygiene concept
  • Kassenzulassung / association membership if you will treat GKV patients
  • Staff qualifications and employment contracts
Facility & equipment requirements
  • Without German professional recognition of the director, the practice cannot open — language (B2/C1) is part of that path.
Staff licensing
  • Each treating physiotherapist needs German professional authorisation; assistants work under supervision.
Licensing steps — in order
1

Director Anerkennung → register the practice with the Land → insurance and hygiene → optional GKV admission → open

Important tip

Do not sign a long commercial lease before the director’s Anerkennung is granted. Banks and landlords often require it.

Guidance only — not a licence. Confirm fees, area minima, and portal names with the official regulator before you apply or spend on fit-out.