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Your procedure
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Your recognition procedure as Interpreter (m/f)
in Schreinerbauer, Bavaria

What I know already

  • The profession of Interpreter (m/f) is not regulated in Bavaria.
  • Recognition is necessary if you want to come to Germany to work. If you have any questions, you can find out more about entry, residence and work via the hotline Working and Living in Germany.
  • This profession in Germany is regulated by the federal states. This means the regulations may differ each federal state.

The competent authority

Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus

Your contact

Ms OStRin Verena Weisel

Referat VI.6
Postanschrift
Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus
80327 München

Quick-Info

This procedure is called: equivalence assessment (in German “Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung”).

Knowledge of German is part of your professional qualification. You require a high level of German. Additionally, you have to prove knowledge of those language(s) you want to translate into.

  • One month at the latest following receipt of your application by the competent authority: The competent authority will notify you of receipt of the documents. They will inform you if documents are missing. The procedure begins when the documents are complete.
  • After 3 months at the latest you will receive notice containing the result. In specific cases the competent authority may extend the procedure.

Documents for my application

  • Application form from the competent authority
  • If there is no application form, then apply without a standard application form
  • Proof of identity (e.g. passport or personal identification)
  • Marriage certificate (if your name has changed through marriage)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Evidence of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, certificate of entitlement)
  • Evidence of your professional experience in this profession (e.g. employment references)
  • Evidence of your other qualifications (e.g. continuing vocational training, seminars)
  • Intention to start work: You may have to prove that you want to work in Germany.
  • Information about an application for recognition already submitted. In this case state to which authority you applied.


The competent authority will inform you as to which documents you must produce as originals or submit as copies. Some copies must be officially certified. We recommend that you do not send originals by post.

You must submit your documents in German. Sworn or authorised translators must prepare the translations.


My steps to recognition

You may also apply if you are not yet living in Germany.

  • You can send the application by post to the competent authority. Do not send originals.
  • You may be able to send the application via email. Ask your competent authority before you do. Later on in the recognition procedure, you may be required to submit original copies or certified copies of the documents.
  • You are sometimes able to apply online. Later on in the recognition procedure, you may be required to submit original copies or certified copies of the documents. Use the federal state internet portal for the online application. You will then leave our information page: To the internet portal Bavaria (in German)

The competent authority receives the application. After one month at the latest, it will confirm that the application has arrived. Once the competent authority has received all the documents from you, it processes your application.

The competent authority carries out an equivalence assessment: It compares your professional qualification with the German professional qualification. As part of this, the competent authority takes into account your professional experience, other certificates and other qualifications.

The procedure takes a maximum of 3 months. In specific cases the competent authority may extend the procedure. At the end, the competent authority sends you a notice containing the result.

Outcome: Recognition

Your professional qualification and the German professional qualification are equivalent. Professionally you have the same rights as a person with the German professional qualification.

Outcome: Partial recognition

Part of your professional qualification is equivalent. There are substantial differences in another part. You are not able to compensate for these differences with your professional experience and other knowledge of the profession. You receive a notice which describes your professional qualification and the substantial differences in detail. In most cases you are able to complete refresher training and then submit a follow-up application.

Outcome: No recognition

Your professional qualification and the German professional qualification are not equivalent in any area. The differences are too large. You do not receive recognition.

You are able to take legal action against the decision of the competent authority. Details on this procedure can be found in the legal redress advice (German: “Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung”) at the end of your notice. We recommend that you speak to a counselling centre first before challenging the decision or taking legal action.

Working without recognition or with partial recognition

Do you already live in Germany and are you permitted to work in Germany? If so, you are able to work in the profession even without recognition or with partial recognition. You can find out more about entry, residence and work via the hotline Working and Living in Germany.

Partial recognition has benefits: The explanatory comments in your notice enable employers to better understand your professional qualification. Partial recognition also helps you if, for example, you wish to complete further training.

Refresher training

With partial recognition you are also able to complete refresher training. You are given a certificate as evidence of successful participation. You are then able to submit a follow-up application for recognition. You submit this with the certificate and your other documents to the competent authority. If the professional qualification is then equivalent, you receive recognition.

You are permitted to enter Germany for a refresher training. Please seek advice if you have questions, or find out more about entry e.g. via the hotline Working and Living in Germany.

State-approved examination

You may directly take part in a state-approved examination as interpreter or translator. The competent authority will inform you.


My other options

Sie möchten als Dolmetscherin oder Dolmetscher an einem Gericht oder für eine Behörde arbeiten? Das ist ein besonderes Verfahren. Informationen finden Sie hier:

As an Ethnic German Resettler, you can select between two procedures for vocational recognition:

  • You apply for the procedure described here.
  • You apply for the procedure under Section 10 of the Federal Expellees Act (German: “§10 Bundesvertriebenengesetz, BVFG”).

You can decide this. Your competent authority will advise you.

Skills analysis

Do you no longer have all of the necessary documents for the application? If so, then recognition is still possible. You can provide evidence of your professional qualification with the help of a skills analysis, e.g. by means of an oral examination or a work sample.


Further information


last update on: 23.11.2022
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The competent authority

Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus

Your contact

Ms OStRin Verena Weisel

Referat VI.6
Postanschrift
Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus
80327 München

Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus

Your contact

Ms OStRin Verena Weisel

Referat VI.6
Postanschrift
Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus
80327 München

Any questions or feedback?

Do you have a question about the recognition procedure? Or have you noticed any information that could be improved? We're happy to help.