Information on your details

Counselling provides answers to the following questions:

• Which profession suits my studies?
• What happens during the assessment for the Statement of Comparability?
• Do I need recognition after all?
• Which documents must I submit and in what form?
• Can I receive financial support?
• What are the training options?

Our recommendation: First seek counselling and then apply for a Statement of Comparability. In this way any mistakes in the application and delays in the processing can be avoided.

Some information is required for the counselling. The counsellor can help you better with it. This information is important:

• What is the exact name of your degree in your country of training?

You can bring these documents to the counselling:

• Your certificate
• Subject overview about all studies
• Diploma Supplement
• Evidence of your professional experience (e. g. employment references or timebook)
• Your proof of identity
• Your current contact details
• Your CV
• Evidence of your knowledge of German
• If you have already applied: the notice and letters from the competent authorities

If any information or documents are missing, don’t worry. You only need all the documents for the application itself.

Do you already have documents translated into German? If so, bring these with you to the counselling.

If any information or documents are missing, don’t worry. The counsellors can help you already. They will also tell you which documents you need in original or copy. You only need all the documents for the application itself.

No, you do not need to have all your documents translated for the counselling. Do you already have some German documents? If so, bring these with you to the counselling. The counsellor will tell you whether you need to have further documents translated for your application.

Yes. Various institutions are able to provide financial support for your recognition procedure. Funding is available, for example, for recognition procedure fees, for certification of documents or for travel costs. Some providers also cover the cost of training after the recognition procedure.

Get advice on the options available to you! The recognition counselling centres and your competent authority will be happy to provide you with information.

Important: You must first apply for financial support and then apply for recognition. This is the only way the costs can be covered.

Financial support

The competent authority is the agency or institution which implements the recognition procedure. The competent authority will also inform you about the procedure and whether an application is necessary. This happens before you apply. You will find the competent authority on the following page (Everything about the procedure).

We recommend that you contact a counselling centre before submitting your application.

The ZAB assesses your higher education qualification. A Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications is an official document. It describes your foreign higher education qualifications and certifies the professional and academic possibilities you can pursue in Germany.