A doctorate in dentistry (German: Promotion in Zahnmedizin) leads to the title Dr. med. dent. How long it takes, how you fund it and which health insurance fits depends mainly on whether you work as an employee at a university, receive a scholarship or do your doctorate without fixed funding. This guide places these questions in context with verified figures and sources.
Short answer: The duration of a doctoral position is legally limited. A fixed-term qualification contract may run for up to six years under Section 2 WissZeitVG. A full-time post in pay grade E 13 under the TV-L collective agreement ranged from 4,759.37 to 6,764.69 euros gross per month, according to the table as of October 2026. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points
- The title is Dr. med. dent. The doctoral regulations (Promotionsordnung) of your faculty set access, procedure and submission.
- A doctoral post makes you an employee. You are then usually covered by statutory health insurance through your employer, as long as your annual pay stays below the insurance threshold.
- A scholarship is not an employment contract. You usually pay health insurance yourself. The minimum contribution for voluntary statutory insurance was 222.80 euros per month in 2026.
- A qualification post may be fixed-term for up to six years under Section 2 WissZeitVG.
- The doctoral title and the licence to practise (Approbation) are two separate things. A doctorate does not replace the licence.
How long does a doctorate in dentistry take?
There is no fixed duration. The doctoral regulations set the formal requirements, while supervision and your work plan shape the rest. Posts do have a legal framework, though. Under Section 2 (1) of the WissZeitVG (Act on Fixed-Term Contracts in Academia), a post for your own academic qualification may be fixed-term for up to six years. A scholarship runs for the period stated in the award letter from the funding body.
| Funding route | Frame for duration | Governing rule |
|---|---|---|
| Academic post at a university | Fixed term for qualification of up to six years | Section 2 (1) WissZeitVG |
| Doctoral scholarship | Period stated in the award from the funding body | Award letter |
| Doctorate without post or scholarship | No statutory limit, requirements per doctoral regulations | Doctoral regulations of the faculty |
What does a doctoral post pay under the TV-L?
Many doctoral posts at universities follow the collective agreement for the German federal states (TV-L). Whether your post is graded in pay grade E 13 is stated in your contract. The table below shows monthly gross pay per step, taken from a published version of the table valid from 1 April to 31 December 2026 (as of October 2026). From 2027 the amount may change, so check the current pay table.
| Pay grade E 13 | Monthly gross pay (euros) |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | 4,759.37 |
| Step 2 | 5,106.09 |
| Step 3 | 5,366.89 |
| Step 4 | 5,873.56 |
| Step 5 | 6,573.97 |
| Step 6 | 6,764.69 |
Worked example: health insurance costs on a half post
Assumption: a half post at step 1, which means 2,379.69 euros gross per month. The figures only cover the employee share of health and long-term care insurance. Income tax, pension and unemployment insurance are not included.
- Health insurance: 8.75 percent employee share, made up of the general rate of 14.6 percent and an average additional contribution of 2.9 percent, which is 208.22 euros.
- Long-term care insurance: 1.8 percent of the 3.6 percent rate, which is 42.83 euros. If you are childless and 23 or older, you also pay the 0.6 percentage point childless surcharge. That makes 2.4 percent, or 57.11 euros.
For your net pay, use the tax and contribution calculator of the German Federal Ministry of Finance at bmf-steuerrechner.de. Also check the insurance threshold. In 2026 it was 6,450 euros per month, based on an annual salary of 77,400 euros. From step 5 onwards a full-time post is above this monthly limit. You are then no longer compulsorily insured and may be voluntarily insured in statutory or private cover (Section 6 SGB V). The annual salary counts, and special payments are included.
Which health insurance fits a post and a scholarship?
With an employment contract you are an employee, and your employer pays its share of social insurance. With a scholarship you are not an employee, so voluntary insurance is usually the option. Family insurance only applies if the conditions of Section 10 SGB V are met. The income limit for this was 565 euros per month in 2026. More on the routes is in our guide Health Insurance for PhD Students in Germany.
Assumption: basic scholarship of 1,750 euros plus research costs allowance of 100 euros per month, without family allowance. The amount paid out is therefore 1,850 euros per month. The minimum contribution to voluntary statutory health insurance was 222.80 euros in 2026, and long-term care insurance without the childless surcharge was 47.46 euros. Together that is 270.26 euros, about 14.6 percent of the amount. With the childless surcharge, long-term care insurance rises to 55.37 euros.
Post or scholarship: what suits you?
- Post: you work in a team, have a contract that sets working hours and tasks, and your employer handles social insurance contributions.
- Post: the fixed term is limited. An extension is only possible if the contract or the law allows it.
- Scholarship: you have more freedom in choosing your research and your time, but usually pay your health insurance yourself.
- Scholarship: selection runs through the funding body, which sets deadlines, documents and criteria.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do a doctorate while still studying?
The doctoral regulations of your faculty decide whether and when a thesis is accepted. Ask the doctoral office before you accept a post or a scholarship, because the duration and your insurance depend on it.
Is the doctoral title required for the licence to practise?
No. The doctorate does not replace the licence and is not a requirement for it. The two are separate. If you are interested in both, plan the steps one after the other and seek personal advice on your career path.
Who pays for health insurance during a doctoral post?
With a post and an employment contract, your employer pays its share and you pay the rest. With a scholarship you usually pay the full contribution yourself, unless you are covered as a family member. Whether you are above the insurance threshold depends on your individual case.
What happens if the doctorate takes longer?
The fixed term under Section 2 WissZeitVG limits the post, not your work. Extensions are only possible if the contract or the law provides for them. Raise this early with your supervisor and the personnel office.
Are there scholarships specifically for dentistry?
The large foundations that support doctoral students fund all subjects. Which one is an option depends on subject, background and criteria. An overview of funding routes is in our guide PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements.
What to do next
- Read the doctoral regulations of your faculty. Note access rules, deadlines and language requirements.
- Compare the offers, post or scholarship, each with its term, payment and insurance.
- Ask in writing for pay grade, step and share of a full post, and calculate the social insurance costs.
- Clarify with your health insurer which cover applies to your situation before the contract starts.
Related guides
- PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements
- Health Insurance for PhD Students in Germany
- Scholarships for students: types, providers, requirements
- Doctorate in medicine (Promotion in Medizin, in German)
- Doctoral titles and abbreviations (in German)
Sources: Destatis, press release on doctorates 2025 (dated 2 Oct 2026, in German); WissZeitVG Section 2, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German, retrieved October 2026); Section 6 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German, retrieved October 2026); GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 calculation values (in German, as of 1 Jan 2026); Heinrich Böll Foundation, scholarship amounts (in German, as of October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
