Privatdocent (in German: Privatdozent ) is an academic qualification of German tradition in Europe. It appoints teachers who wrote a Habilitation, but which (still) did not receive a pulpit of teaching or research. For this reason, the privatdocent does not receive any remuneration on behalf of the government. However, it is a required passage to obtain a pulpit.

The title of privatdocent was instituted in Prussia towards 1810, it will become current only starting from 1860. This academic title exists in Germany, Austria, Suisse, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Finland, Sweden.