To secure a spot, students must commit to working for ten years in districts facing a shortage of specialists.
17-year-old Maria Karl from Frontenhausen voluntarily assisted veterinarian Marina Beisl during farm visits. As an intern, she listened to the hearts and lungs of calves or handed instruments to the doctor. The student enjoyed the variety of the work and could easily imagine herself in the profession. However, admission usually required a perfect score on final exams. Meanwhile, the number of doctors specializing in large animals has been dwindling in rural areas. The rural veterinary quota could be the solution to this problem.
Veterinarian Deficit Primarily Observed in Northern Bavaria
Vast areas of Northern Bavaria are now underserved by veterinarians for cattle. Ten years ago, there were 1,200 such specialists in Bavaria; today, only 740 remain. The reasons for this decline include high workloads: long commutes to farms, the necessity of being constantly available for emergency calls, and the physical toll of working with bulls that often exceed a ton in weight. In particular, 24/7 on-call shifts are difficult to balance with childcare and family life.
While demand for veterinary study placements remains high, many graduates move into small animal clinics or government agencies after finishing their studies, leading to a shortage in livestock farming.
The Rural Quota as Part of the Solution
Iris Fuchs, President of the Bavarian State Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons, also considered the introduction of the so-called rural quota a step in the right direction. She noted that other federal states envied Bavaria for this new regulation. She highlighted the positive aspect that the quota helps attract veterinarians who did not meet the rigid grade requirements. She now advocates for defining districts in need at the administrative level, as the precise identification of deficit zones must be finalized by 2030.
During the competitive selection for quota spots, bonus points are awarded for relevant vocational training (such as being a farmer or livestock breeder) and completed internships. Interviews and practical assessments are of significant importance. However, only five out of more than 300 veterinary medicine spots in Munich are allocated through this quota. Thus, this measure can only serve as a small supplement to solving the overall labor shortage.
Criticism of Long-Term Commitments
Veterinarian Josef Beisl, who manages a practice alongside his daughter Marina, also praised the initiative. However, he criticized the fact that young people must commit to working in a rural clinic for ten years. Including the six years of study, this involves a 16-year commitment. He also pointed out the difficulty of specialists being assigned to specific districts: “The choice of workplace is restricted, which contradicts my understanding of the veterinary profession as a freelance vocation.”
Farmers Support the Initiative
For farmer Anton Sporrer from Simbach am Inn, the decisive factor is how dedicated a person is to their craft and whether they work with heart, rather than having a perfect transcript. He emphasized that those who could not achieve the highest grades should also be given a chance to master their dream profession.
Other Approaches: Large Clinics with Employed Staff
Marina and her father Josef Beisl have found their own ways to adapt to the future. Their practice employs five veterinarians, allowing the workload for night shifts and weekend calls to be distributed among many staff members. Furthermore, they offer flexible working time models, which is particularly convenient for mothers.
They also host many interns to spark interest in the profession, as in the case of Maria Karl. She is a strong student and could likely achieve an excellent diploma, but she still finds the rural quota useful as it reduces stress levels and places more emphasis on the personal qualities of candidates. Perhaps after school, Maria will choose veterinary medicine and share the Beisl family’s view that it is the most wonderful profession in the world.
The application deadline for veterinary studies at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich under the rural quota runs until February 28, 2026.Source: br.de
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