Provided is a method for fabricating a light emitting device. The method for fabricating the light emitting device includes forming a buffer layer including a compound semiconductor in which a rare-earth element is doped on a substrate, forming a light emitting structure including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer, which are successively stacked on the buffer layer, forming a first electrode layer on the light emitting structure, removing the substrate, and forming a second electrode layer under the light emitting structure.