The short answer: the law governing specialist medical training does not recognise an additional qualification (Zusatzbezeichnung) or a specialist title (Facharzt) in “aesthetic medicine”. Anyone who performs aesthetic treatments may nevertheless show this – but not with just any wording. Courts have recently objected to several designations as misleading. This guide sets out what the specialist training regulations provide for, what you may announce and where the line is drawn.
In the (model) specialist training regulations of the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer) (version of 3 July 2026), the word “Ästhetische” (aesthetic) appears in exactly two designations. The first is the specialist title Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (Plastische, Rekonstruktive und Ästhetische Chirurgie) in the field of surgery, with 72 months of specialist training, 48 of them in this specialty.
The second is the additional training qualification Plastic and Aesthetic Operations (Plastische und Ästhetische Operationen). It requires recognition as a specialist in otorhinolaryngology or in oral and maxillofacial surgery, takes 24 months and relates to surgical and non-surgical procedures in the head and neck region.
There is no additional training qualification in “aesthetic medicine” among the 48 additional training qualifications, nor is there a specialist title of that name. What is legally binding for you is the specialist training regulations of your State Chamber of Physicians (Landesärztekammer).
This is no obstacle to the treatment itself: for aesthetic injections, the licence to practise medicine is sufficient; what is owed is the specialist standard of care. The details are set out in the guide Who may inject Botox and hyaluronic acid?.
| Statement | Condition under section 27 of the model professional code of conduct |
|---|---|
| Designations under the specialist training regulations | Only in the form permitted there – that is, the specialist, sub-specialty or additional designation exactly as it was awarded. |
| Qualifications under other public-law provisions | May be stated; according to the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer), these also include certificates from the State Chambers of Physicians (Landesärztekammern) for curricular continuing education. |
| Main areas of practice (Tätigkeitsschwerpunkte) | Must be expressly identified as such, must not be capable of being confused with specialist training designations, and require that the activity is carried out more than just occasionally. |
| Organisational information | Permitted, for example consultation hours or details about the practice. |
What is contrary to professional rules is “in particular advertising that is laudatory, misleading or comparative”. The State Chamber of Physicians (Ärztekammer) may request documents in order to review an announcement. What is binding is the professional code of conduct of your State Chamber of Physicians (Landesärztekammer); whether it will accept a main area of practice in aesthetic medicine in your wording is best clarified with the chamber in advance.
| Decision | Designation | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main (OLG Frankfurt am Main), 22 January 2026 – 6 U 362/24 | “Arzt für Ästhetische Medizin” (physician for aesthetic medicine) in the curriculum vitae of a specialist in general medicine | Misleading: according to the court, a considerable part of the public understands this as a specialist title. The physician must counteract the misconception by means of reasonable clarification; a general ban on advertising would be disproportionate. Not final, according to the Wettbewerbszentrale (German Centre for Protection against Unfair Competition) in February 2026. |
| Higher Regional Court of Hamm (OLG Hamm), 12 May 2026 – 4 UKl 3/25 | “Fachärzte für ästhetische Medizin” (specialists in aesthetic medicine), “Fachärzte für ästhetische Behandlungen” (specialists in aesthetic treatments) – information given by a chatbot on the website | Misleading; the operator is liable for the answers given by its chatbot. Appeal on points of law admitted. |
| Regional Court of Bochum (LG Bochum), 20 December 2023 – I-13 O 74/23 | “Arzt für ästhetische Eingriffe” (physician for aesthetic procedures) | Misleading because, according to the court, it creates the impression of recognised specialist training. Not final, according to the Wettbewerbszentrale (German Centre for Protection against Unfair Competition) in January 2024. |
| Higher Regional Court of Hamm (OLG Hamm), 3 June 2008 – 4 U 59/08 | Entry under the heading “Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie” (plastic and aesthetic surgery) without clarifying information | Misleading. The entry with the complete, correct specialist title and additional qualification was not. |
| Federal Court of Justice (BGH), 29 July 2021 – I ZR 114/20 | “Praxis für Kieferorthopädie” (practice for orthodontics) of a dentist without a specialist dentist title | Leading decision: advertising for permitted services must remain possible, but the misconception must be counteracted by means of reasonable clarification. |
The line behind this: what matters is not whether a term is protected by law, but how patients understand it. Anyone who puts a specialty after “Arzt für …” (physician for …) easily creates the impression of regulated specialist training. According to the professional societies, terms such as “Schönheitschirurg” (cosmetic surgeon) or “Beauty Doc” are not protected – but that does not mean that they may be used freely: courts examine in each individual case whether they are misleading.
| Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|
| State your actual qualification | Your own specialist title in the form in which it was awarded creates clarity and prevents the misconception. |
| Describe services instead of creating titles | Statements such as “treatments with botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid” say what you do without claiming a specialty. |
| Identify a main area of practice as such | Only if you carry out the activity to a considerable extent – and preferably after consulting the chamber. |
| Present continuing education as continuing education | A course certificate documents continuing education. It does not confer a designation. |
| Check all channels | Website, curriculum vitae, practice sign, portals, social media – and automated answers: whoever operates a chatbot is liable for the information it gives. |
On academic degrees: in 2010, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) approved the use of a lawfully awarded “Master of Science Kieferorthopädie” (Master of Science in orthodontics) (I ZR 172/08). That was an individual case; we are not aware of any decision on a master’s degree in aesthetic medicine.
No. The (model) specialist training regulations of the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer) do not list an additional training qualification or a specialist title of that name. There is the specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, and the additional training qualification in plastic and aesthetic operations for ENT specialists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
It is not protected in the sense of an awarded designation – which is precisely why it is delicate: on 22 January 2026, the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main (OLG Frankfurt am Main) assessed the statement as misleading in the case of a specialist in general medicine (6 U 362/24; not final, according to the Wettbewerbszentrale (German Centre for Protection against Unfair Competition) in February 2026).
No. This specialist title does not exist; on 12 May 2026, the Higher Regional Court of Hamm (OLG Hamm) prohibited the designation as misleading (4 UKl 3/25, appeal on points of law admitted).
The model professional code of conduct permits main areas of practice (Tätigkeitsschwerpunkte) identified as such, provided that the activity is carried out more than just occasionally and there is no confusion with a specialist training designation. The professional code of conduct of your State Chamber of Physicians (Landesärztekammer) is decisive – agree the wording with the chamber.
It documents continuing education and may be stated as such. It does not confer a designation or a title.
Lawfully awarded academic degrees may in principle be used; the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) approved this in 2010 for a “Master of Science Kieferorthopädie” (Master of Science in orthodontics). We are not aware of any decision on a master’s degree in aesthetic medicine.
The State Chambers of Physicians (Ärztekammern) and – by way of competition law – associations such as the Wettbewerbszentrale (German Centre for Protection against Unfair Competition) as well as competitors. Most of the judgments mentioned go back to such actions.
As at: 12 October 2026. This article provides an overview and is not a substitute for legal advice. The specialist training regulations and the professional code of conduct of your State Chamber of Physicians (Landesärztekammer) are binding.
Learning aesthetic medicine: getting started for physicians
Read →GuideWho may inject Botox and hyaluronic acid? The legal position in 2026
Read →GuideBilling Botox and hyaluronic acid under the GOÄ (German medical fee schedule)
Read →GuideHow do you recognise a good Botox or filler course?
Read →OverviewAesthetics courses for doctors: all courses with prices
View →