Midwives – Qualifications – Recognition

Competent authority

Österreichisches Hebammengremium
Landstraßer Hauptstrasse 71/2

1030 Wien

Phone: + 43 1 71728163
e-mail: kanzlei@hebammen.at

Costs and fees

Fees are approximately 300 Euro.

General information

The National Board of Austrian Midwives (Austrian Midwives Association, Österreichisches Hebammengremium) is the competent authority for the recognition of equivalence of a diploma acquired in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for midwives.

Working in Austria or employing persons without the state recognition and without an entry in the Austrian Registry of Midwives is an administrative offence, punishable by a fine. It may also be subject to personal liability consequences under criminal and civil law.

Last update

1 January 2024

Legal basis

sections 12, 42, 42a, 42b of the Hebammengesetz (HebG)

Procedure

Entry in the Austrian Registry of Midwives: A written application can be submitted in person or by post.

Recognition of equivalence of a diploma: A written application can be submitted in person, by post or electronic (e.g. by e-mail with an electronic signature).

In case of significant differences between the national qualification and the Austrian qualification, recognition can be granted only on the basis of compensation measures such as completion of adaptation training or an aptitude test in an Austrian training institution. In this case the recognition process can be expected to take four months.

If there is no training or test required, the recognition process can be expected to take three months.

Required documents

  • Application
  • Filled and signed Form: Hebammenregistereintragung
  • Austrian residence permit or Austrian postal address with an authorised recipient for formal delivery (written authorisation!)
  • Formal qualification confirming officially recognized and successfully completed training in an EU Member State, EEA-State or in Switzerland
  • Evidence of citizenship, valid passport or personal identification document (copy)
  • Police clearance certificate from the country of origin, issued within the last three months. Please note: Police clearance certificates from Croatia and Slovenia issued by Ministry of Justice only. An Austrian Criminal Record Certificate is only accepted in connection with the police clearance from the country of origin.
  • Medical certificate (issued by a general practitioner within the last three months) confirming that the applicant fulfills all health requirements for the profession
  • In case the applicant's name differs from the name shown on the diploma or on the certificate, a wedding or divorce certificate or any other official document proving the change of name must be submitted
  • If possible/available proof of professional experience
  • Attestation certifying that the applicant is legally established in a Member State for the purpose of pursuing the activities concerned and that she/he is not prohibited from practising, even temporarily, at the moment of delivering the attestation
  • One picture (as used for passport)

All documents and certificates must be submitted in German or English, either as an original or as a copy authenticated by a court, a notary public or a municipal authority. Only the translations by a certified court translator are accepted.

Translations from Hungary are accepted only, if they are issued by Országos Fordító és Forditáshitelesítö Iroda (OFFI).

Non authenticated copies or untranslated documents are not accepted. After processing, all original documents will be returned immediately.

Requirements

Diploma for midwives, issued on the basis of a state certified training. Diploma have to be issued by the Government of an EEA-State or of Switzerland.

Responsible for the content

Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection
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