Recognition of foreign qualifications in Germany (Anerkennung): when you need it and how to apply
Translated from the Arabic original. Read in Arabic
Your qualification from home can open the door to better work and a stronger residence status in Germany, but sometimes it needs official recognition first. Many people work below their level for years because they did not know the way to recognition. This guide explains when you need it and how to start.
Regulated and non-regulated professions
The key distinction is between regulated and non-regulated professions. Regulated professions (reglementierte Berufe) may not be practised in Germany without official recognition or a licence; they include medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, law, teaching in state schools and some engineering professions with a protected title. Non-regulated professions, such as most fields of economics, IT and the sciences, can be practised without official recognition, but recognition or a credential evaluation may be required for residence, for example for the Blue Card, or helpful when applying for jobs.
The anabin database
anabin is an official database of the Standing Conference of Education Ministers that shows how foreign universities and qualifications are assessed in Germany. Look up your university and degree there. If the university is rated H+ and the degree is listed as equivalent, that is a good sign and may be enough for some visa purposes. But an anabin search is not official recognition in itself.
Credential evaluation by the ZAB
The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) issues an official evaluation of foreign university degrees (Zeugnisbewertung) for non-regulated professions, showing the level of your degree compared with the German system. You apply online and pay a fee, and the resulting document is recognised by employers and authorities.
Recognition for regulated professions
For regulated professions, the competent authority depends on the profession and the federal state: for example, the state health authorities for doctors and nurses. The authority compares your training with German training and may recognise it fully, or identify substantial differences that can be made up with a knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or an adaptation period. Most health professions also require proof of German at a professional level.
Where to start
The official portal "Anerkennung in Deutschland" (Recognition in Germany) has a tool where you enter your profession and planned place of work, and it tells you whether the profession is regulated, which authority is responsible and which documents are needed. Prepare your certificates, transcripts and course descriptions with sworn translations, as most procedures ask for them.
Advice
Start early: recognition can take months, although the authority is usually obliged to decide within a set period once your file is complete. Free recognition advice centres (IQ Network) can help you choose the right route and prepare your file.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Laws change, so check the official sources below or the competent authority for your situation. Found a mistake? Tell us.