When a doctoral title is revoked, questions quickly follow about honorary doctorates and about titles that were bought. These three cases follow different rules. This guide explains each of them so you know what applies and whom to ask.
Short answer: A doctoral degree can be withdrawn by the university that awarded it if it was obtained improperly. Using an academic title without entitlement is punishable under section 132a of the German Criminal Code (StGB) with up to one year in prison or a fine (as of October 2026, gesetze-im-internet.de, in German). An honorary doctorate is not a doctorate earned through a dissertation. The procedure follows state law and the rules of the university.
The most important points
- An honorary doctorate (Dr. h.c., doctor honoris causa) is conferred as recognition. It is not a doctorate based on your own dissertation and examination.
- Using a title without entitlement can be a criminal offence under section 132a StGB. This includes academic degrees that were bought.
- A doctorate can be withdrawn if it rests on deception. Responsibility and procedure depend on state law and the rules of the university.
- The withdrawal of a doctorate has been decided by courts. The Federal Administrative Court ruled on this on 21 June 2017 (case 6 C 3/16).
- If you are unsure about your title, the university that conferred it is the right place to ask for a binding answer.
Doctorate and honorary doctorate: the difference
A doctorate (Promotion) is an examination procedure. You write a dissertation, which is assessed by the faculty, and you pass an examination or defence. The exact steps are set out in the doctoral regulations of your university. An honorary doctorate (Dr. h.c.) is conferred in recognition of outstanding achievements. It is not based on a dissertation assessed in the way a doctoral procedure requires.
For a quick overview of abbreviations, the guide to doctoral title abbreviations explains the differences between Dr. h.c., Dr. rer. nat. and other forms.
| Case | What it means | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Doctorate (Dr.) | Own procedure with dissertation and examination | Doctoral regulations of the university, state higher education act |
| Honorary doctorate (Dr. h.c.) | Recognition for outstanding achievements, conferred by a university | Rules of the conferring university |
| Title without entitlement | Using an academic degree you did not earn | Section 132a StGB (in German) |
| Withdrawal | The university takes back a doctorate it has conferred | State law and doctoral regulations, case law |
Criminal law and bought titles
A bought title means that someone pays for a doctoral degree without having completed the doctoral procedure. Such offers can come from intermediaries who promise papers or procedures for money. What matters under criminal law is using the title. Under section 132a para. 1 StGB, anyone who unlawfully uses academic degrees, titles or public dignities is punishable. The penalty is imprisonment of up to one year or a fine (as of October 2026, text retrieved from gesetze-im-internet.de, which shows no version date).
Using a title you did not earn is therefore outside the law, whether or not the university has noticed it yet. Whether proceedings are opened against an intermediary or a holder depends on the individual case and requires legal advice.
Can a doctoral title be withdrawn?
Yes. The university that conferred a doctorate can withdraw it if it turns out that the degree was obtained improperly, for example because results were falsified or foreign texts were used without citation. This is an administrative procedure. The competent body, the time limits and the steps are set by state law and the doctoral regulations. A withdrawal therefore does not happen automatically; it follows an examination by the university.
The Federal Administrative Court has ruled on the withdrawal of a doctorate (judgment of 21 June 2017, case 6 C 3/16, retrieved from rewis.io, as of October 2026). Anyone who relies on this judgment should read the full text, because the outcome depended on the specific circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use “Dr.” if I hold an honorary doctorate?
An honorary doctorate is usually written with the suffix h.c. How you use it in daily life depends on the rules of the university that conferred it. If you are unsure which form it prefers, ask the university directly.
How can I check whether my title is valid?
Start with the certificate and the details of the procedure. Then ask the university that conferred the degree. It can tell you which doctoral regulations applied and whether the procedure was completed. A certificate alone is not proof of validity if there is doubt.
Is a foreign PhD recognised in Germany?
Whether you may use a foreign doctoral degree in Germany depends on the rules for foreign titles. The guide on Dr. or Ph.D. titles explains the basics. A binding answer comes from the competent authority.
What if I used a title by mistake?
Correct the entry as soon as you notice the error and clarify the matter with the university. How the legal position looks in your case is a question for legal advice, not for this guide.
In the procedure, the person concerned should have the chance to comment. This is a general principle of administrative procedure. If you receive a decision, read not only the outcome but also the reasons, the deadline stated and the note on available legal remedies.
Can a withdrawal be reversed?
There is no general answer. Whether a legal remedy is available, which deadlines apply and how a court would decide depends on state law and the individual case. Write down any deadline from a notice straight away and get legal advice before you act.
Do I have to list a title on my CV?
A title belongs on a CV only if you hold it lawfully. An honorary doctorate is shown with the suffix h.c. and the name of the university that conferred it. For a doctorate, name the university, the subject and the year of conferral, so that the entry can be checked.
What to do now
- Gather your certificate and the doctoral regulations that applied to your procedure.
- Ask the university that conferred the degree whether it is recorded there and whether any withdrawal procedure is pending.
- If an intermediary offered you a title or you use a bought title, get legal advice from a lawyer before taking further steps.
- Use the title only in the way the university and section 132a StGB allow.
Related reading
- PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements
- Dr. or Ph.D.: Which doctoral title you may use in Germany
- Doctoral title abbreviations explained
- Promotion finanzieren: Stelle, Stipendium oder Eigenmittel im Vergleich (in German)
Sources: Section 132a StGB, misuse of titles, professional designations and insignia (retrieved October 2026, in German); Federal Administrative Court, judgment of 21 June 2017, case 6 C 3/16 (retrieved October 2026, in German). Doctoral regulations and state higher education acts are available from the university and the state legislation.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
