FAQ

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The opportunity card allows persons from third countries to enter Germany for the purpose of looking for a job. Skilled workers with full recognition may receive the opportunity card directly. Partial recognition also provides benefits within the points system used for the opportunity card.

Entry for the purpose of seeking employment

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German: Anerkennung
Also: Anerkennung der Berufsqualifikation, Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung, Gleichwertigkeit

In this case recognition means that a foreign professional qualification is legally equivalent to a German professional qualification. This means that the foreign professional qualification is recognised in Germany. The equivalence is valid for a specific German reference occupation.

There are different types of recognition:

Full recognition

A foreign professional qualification is legally equivalent to the German reference occupation.

Partial recognition

A foreign professional qualification is only partially equivalent to the German reference occupation. The reason for this is that there are substantial differences between the foreign professional qualification and the German professional qualification.

In this case, there are two options in order to still achieve full recognition:

• Successful participation in refresher training
• Successful participation in a compensation measure

No recognition

A foreign professional qualification is not equivalent to the German reference occupation. The reason for this is that the differences between the foreign professional qualification and the German reference occupation are too great.

Recognition must be requested by means of an application for recognition. This then begins the recognition procedure.
 

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German: Anerkennungsverfahren
Also: Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellungsverfahren, Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung, Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung

The competent authority in Germany checks the professional qualification in the recognition procedure. The competent authority checks whether the foreign professional qualification is equivalent to the German reference occupation.

For the recognition procedure, the competent authority requires certificates and other documents relating to the content and duration of the professional qualification. Certificates and other documents relating to professional experience are also important.
 

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German: zuständige Stelle

The “competent authority” implements the recognition procedure. The competent authority can be, for example, a government agency, an office or a Chamber. The Recognition Finder can be used to determine the authority responsible for recognition in Germany.

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German: Standortberatung, Standortvermerk
Also: Advisor Note on Location Counselling [Standortberatungsvermerk], 
Counselling note [Beratungsvermerk], 
Proof of location [Standortnachweis], 
Proof of counselling [Beratungsnachweis]

Skilled workers abroad are able to seek advice on the locations where they are needed in Germany. The Service Center for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) carries out the Location Counselling. It provides support in identifying an appropriate work location (a city or federal state) and therefore the competent authority for the recognition procedure. The content and outcome of the counselling is documented in the Advisor Note on Location Counselling. The Advisor Note on Location Counselling confirms to the competent authority that the person wants to work in the named federal state. 

The Advisor Note on Location Counselling is not essential when applying for a recognition, but it is very helpful: 

• If the person comes from a third country.
• If the person has still not found an employer in Germany.

Please note: Persons from third countries can also provide proof in other ways that they want to work in Germany. For this, see page “Documents needed for the application”.

Documents for the application
Service Center for Professional Recognition

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German: Anerkennungs-Finder

The Recognition Finder is a specific tool at www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de which is used to search for information about recognition.
This allows individuals to easily find information on this website. For example, on the following topics:

• Competent authority
• Recognition procedure
• Occupational profile
• Specifics of the occupation
• Reference occupation
• Costs of the procedure
• Key documents

The Recognition Finder can be found here.

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German: nicht reglementierte Berufe

There are no state regulations in terms of authorisation to practice for non-regulated professions. This means that individuals are permitted to work in these professions without authorisation to practice. These professions include for example all professions in dual vocational education and training. People with a foreign professional qualification can work in non-regulated professions without recognition.

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German:  EU/EWR/Schweiz

EU/EEA/Switzerland is the abbreviation for: European Union/European Economic Area/Switzerland.

The member states of the European Union (EU) include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The European Economic Area (EEA) includes: All EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway.

Switzerland has entered into a treaty with the European Union. This states that Switzerland participates in the European system of professional recognition.

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German: reglementierte Berufe

There are statutory provisions relating to regulated professions. These professions include for example:

• Medical professions
• Teachers

Individuals in a regulated profession need recognition of their foreign professional qualification. They are then permitted to work in Germany in this profession. The Recognition Finder helps when searching for regulated professions.

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German: Drittstaat

A description of a country which does not belong to one of the following:

• European Union (EU)
• European Economic Area (EEA)
• Switzerland

For entry to Germany, skilled workers from third countries need a visa.

Immigration

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German:  Professional qualification

Professional qualifications are qualifications for which evidence of training is provided by means of evidence of formal qualifications or qualification certificates These lead to a clearly defined profession. Evidence of a professional qualification may also be provided by professional experience gained in Germany or abroad.

These are examples of professional qualifications:

• Vocational qualification
• Advanced vocational education and training
• Approbation or authorisation to practise a profession
• Authorisation to use the designation of occupation

The recognition procedure exists for professional qualifications from abroad. This checks the equivalence of the vocational qualification.
Recognition procedures for higher education qualifications exist only for higher education qualifications leading to a regulated profession. For example: Dentist
There is no recognition procedure for higher education qualifications which do not lead to a regulated profession. The statement of comparability exists for these higher education qualifications. This is the case, for example, for geologists.

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German: Aufenthaltstitel

Individuals from third countries require state authorisation if they are seeking to enter Germany and wish to stay here. This authorisation is called a residence permit.

There are 3 temporary residence permits:

• Residence permit
• EU Blue Card
• Visa

There are 2 permanent residence permits:

• EU permanent residence
• Settlement permit

In Germany applications for a residence permit are submitted to the Immigration Office. When abroad, applications for a residence permit are submitted to the German diplomatic mission.
Further information is available from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

Informationen zur Einreise für Personen aus Drittstaaten

Information relating to entry requirements and right of residence

EU and the EEA citizens do not require a residence permit. Swiss citizens must register their residency in Germany.

Information is available here for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

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German: wesentliche Unterschiede

In the recognition procedure the competent authority checks whether there are substantial differences between a foreign professional qualification and the German reference occupation For example in terms of:

• Duration of training
• Knowledge and competencies delivered
• Skills learned

For those individuals who do not receive full recognition, these differences are specified in the recognition notice. They are called substantial differences.

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German: Anerkennungsbescheid
Also: Gleichwertigkeitsbescheid, Bescheid über Gleichwertigkeit, Bescheid zur Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung, Anerkennungsurkunde

A recognition notice is a document from the competent authority relating to an application for recognition. It contains the result of the recognition procedure. A recognition notice is legally binding.

In the case of full recognition, authorisation to practice a professional activity may be combined with the recognition notice, for example:

• Approbation (licence to practise medicine in Germany)
• Authorisation to practise a profession
• Authorisation to use the designation of occupation
• Certificate of state recognition

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German: Anerkennungsantrag
Also: Antrag auf Anerkennung

The application for recognition is generally made via an application form. This allows individuals to apply for recognition of their foreign professional qualification.

The application for recognition is sent to the competent authority together with the necessary documents. Or it can be submitted in person. The application for recognition can be downloaded from the website of the competent authority.

Occasionally, an application for recognition is not available for download. If so, the person must apply without an application form. In this case the person must write a letter to the competent authority. The person must apply for the recognition procedure in the letter. The competent authority will provide information on how this is done.
 

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German:  Berufsbildung

Vocational education and training includes all measures relating to vocational education and training and advanced vocational training. Vocational education and training is part of the German education and training system.

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German: Zeugnisbewertung

Auch: Statement of comparability

An statement of comparability for foreign higher education qualifications is a document from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). The document describes a higher-education qualification from abroad.

The recognition procedures are only for higher-education qualifications which lead to a regulated profession. For those higher-education qualifications which lead to a non-regulated profession there is the statement of comparability. An statement of comparability compares the foreign qualifications with the German qualification following a degree. The assessment of higher education certificates gives information about the vocational and academic opportunities provided by the qualification.

The statement of comparability is requested from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).

Further information on the statement of comparability

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German: Weiterbildung

Practising and extending your own skills and knowledge following training. The following types of continuing training exist:

• Continuing vocational education and training
• General continuing education
• Political continuing education
• Continuing education at universities (also referred to as continuing academic training)

Continuing vocational education and training includes courses for consolidating and supplementing vocational knowledge. The learning involved in continuing vocational education and training is formal, non-formal, and informal.

Today, the terms “advanced vocational training” and “continuing education” are frequently used synonymously in a vocational context
In practice, continuing vocational education and training can include the following:

• Retraining
• Upgrading training (e.g. master craftsman courses)
• Updating training

An examination may need to be taken at the end of continuing training. At the end of continuing education you generally receive evidence of participation or of passing the examination. This evidence is referred to as, for example:

• Certificate of participation
• Certificate
• Reference

This evidence helps in the recognition procedure. This is because individuals can often use this to compensate for substantial differences between their professional qualification and the German reference occupation.

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German:  Ausbildungsberuf

An occupation for which training is provided via regulated vocational education and training. There are 2 types of training occupations

• dual training occupations
• school-based training occupations

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German: Berufsausbildung

Vocational education and training is training in a specific regulated profession. In vocational education and training, trainees learn all of the vocational knowledge and skills required.
There are 2 types of vocational education and training:

• Dual vocational education and training
• School-based vocational education and training

In each case the vocational education and training is governed by a training and examination regulation.

Dual vocational education and training takes place in a training company and in vocational school. Dual training occupations include for example:

• Vehicle mechatronics technician
• Management assistant for retail services
• Carpenter

The school-based vocational education and training takes place in a full-time vocational school or an alternative type of vocational school. School-based training occupations exist in the areas of technology, health and nursery education. Such occupations include, for example:

• Registered general nurse
• Nursery teacher
• State-certified IT technical engineer

Vocational education and training in Germany takes 2 to 3.5 years. This depends on the occupation but also on the school leaving certificate. The duration of training is often shorter in the case of the upper secondary school-leaving certificate.

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German: duale Berufsausbildung
Also: duales System

see vocational education and training
 

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German: Externenprüfung

The external examination is a specific examination for dual training occupations.

The external examination enables individuals without vocational education and training to complete a vocational qualification in a training occupation. They must fulfil the following conditions:

• The individual has already worked in the profession in which they are sitting the examination.
• The period of working was at least 1.5 times as long as the duration of training in this profession.
• They must pass the external examination.

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German: staatlich anerkannt (Bezeichnung)
Also: staatliche Anerkennung

In Germany, there are professions with additional qualification designations. These might be, for example, “state-recognised” or “state-certified”. These qualification designations form part of the designation of a vocational qualification or of specific advanced vocational training, For example, “State-recognised social education worker” or “State-certified business specialist”. These designations are legally protected. Only persons who have achieved this qualification may refer to themselves as such.

The designation “state-recognised” does not indicate recognition of a foreign professional qualification!

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German:  Eignungsprüfung
Also: Defizitprüfung

An aptitude test as a compensation measure for individuals involved in a recognition procedure.

An aptitude test allows individuals in a regulated profession to compensate for substantial differences between a foreign professional qualification and a German reference occupation.

The following is examined in an aptitude test: Knowledge and skills which are important in the German reference occupation and for which no evidence is provided by documents.
The aptitude test takes into account the professional qualification. An aptitude test is not a new final examination. In an aptitude test, only those areas are tested in which substantial differences have been established.

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German: Anpassungslehrgang

An adaptation period is a compensation measure for regulated professions. An individual trains in the areas they are lacking for recognition of a foreign professional qualification. Successful participation enables the individual to compensate for the substantial differences compared to the German reference occupation. The individual is then still able to receive full recognition of their foreign professional qualification.

During an adaptation period, the individual works in the relevant regulated profession. They are supervised by a person qualified in this profession. For example by someone who is a registered general nurse in a hospital.

The adaptation period is sometimes also additional training. An adaptation period lasts for a maximum of three years. The duration depends on which differences are specified in the recognition notice and on what the individual still has to learn.

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German: Meisterin oder Meister
Also: Meisterqualifikation

Master craftsperson training is the name of German advanced vocational education and training.

Master craftspersons undertake advanced vocational training for specific tasks. They learn, for example, how to run a company. Master craftspersons exist in a range of different areas. For example:

• Trades and crafts sector
• Industry
• Agriculture

Advanced training as a master craftsperson exists in a range of occupations. In most cases individuals require completed vocational education and training.

This advanced vocational training also exists for individuals without vocational education and training, but with professional experience. This advanced vocational training also exists for individuals with a university degree. Participation in advanced vocational training of this type depends on the regulations of the respective profession.

In the crafts and trades which require a licence only one individual with a master craftspersons qualification is permitted to run a company and train trainees.

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German: Qualifikationsanalyse

A skills analysis is a particular way of providing evidence of a professional qualification. This evidence is provided subject to the following conditions:

• The individual has made an application for recognition of their professional qualification.
• The individual is seeking to work in a dual training occupation or as a master craftsman or woman.
• The individual is unable to submit key documents through no fault of their own.
• The competent authority doubts the authenticity of the documents submitted.
• The competent body has offered a skills analysis.

Practical evidence of vocational knowledge and skills is provided in a skills analysis. For example: Work sample, professional discussion or trial work in a company. 

The individual must not be at fault themselves for the loss of their documents. The competent authority may require the individual to take an oath on this. The skills analysis is in the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act and in the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code.

Frequently asked questions about skills analysis

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German: Referenzberuf
Also: Referenzqualifikation

The reference occupation is a German professional qualification. In the recognition procedure the competent authority compares a foreign professional qualification to the German reference occupation.

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German: Bescheid
See recognition notice.

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German: Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung
Also: Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung

In Germany, the competent authority checks whether a foreign professional qualification is equivalent to the German reference occupation. This check is called the equivalence assessment and is conducted as part of the recognition procedure.

For this check, the competent authority needs all documents relating to the foreign professional qualification. For example:

• Vocational qualification certificate
• Evidence of professional experience

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German: Gleichwertigkeit

see recognition

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German version: Fachkraft

The following persons are regarded as skilled workers under the Skilled Immigration Act:

• Persons with completed vocational education and training which is equivalent to at least a two-year vocational education and training course in Germany. Foreign vocational education and training over a short period can be equivalent to qualified vocational education and training in Germany if the training shows no substantial differences or if these can be compensated for.
• Persons with a higher education qualification which is comparable to a higher education qualification in Germany.

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German: Anerkennungspartnerschaft

A recognition partnership is a type of residence permit for people from third countries. The purpose of the residence in this case is to do the recognition procedure in Germany and to conclude the process with full recognition after a maximum period of three years.

A recognition partnership enables people from third countries to enter Germany without prior recognition of their foreign professional or vocational qualification. Once a person from abroad has found a job, they conclude an agreement with the employer. In this agreement, a commitment is made to apply for recognition immediately upon entry to Germany. The prospective skilled worker is able to enter the country and start employment at once. Certain tasks are not permitted if the profession is regulated. The employer supports the skilled worker with recognition. The employer must also allow any training which is necessary for recognition.

More information on recognition partnerships and their requirements is available here:

How does a recognition partnership work?

Advantages of recognition

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German: Anpassungsqualifizierung

Refresher training allows individuals in non-regulated occupations to compensate for substantial differences between their foreign professional qualification and the German reference occupation. They are then still able to receive full recognition of their foreign professional qualification. For this, however, they must first submit a follow-up application to the competent authority.

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German: Ausgleichsmaßnahme
Also: Anpassungsmaßnahme

A compensation measure allows individuals in a regulated occupation to compensate for substantial differences between a foreign professional qualification and a German reference occupation.

In the process, these individuals learn skills they are still lacking for recognition of a foreign professional qualification or they complete an aptitude or knowledge test. After successfully participating or passing the tests, these individuals then still receive full recognition of their foreign professional qualification.

A range of compensation measures exist. The legal regulation depends on the profession and on the nationality. There are the following, for example:

• Adaptation period
• Aptitude test
• Knowledge test

The knowledge test must be taken, for example, in healthcare occupations if you come from a third country.

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German: persönliche Eignung
Also: Reliability

Personal aptitude is important in some regulated professions for an application for recognition. For example, for occupations in the areas of public health, security and in the social and education sector. In this case, the competent authority requires evidence of personal aptitude for the recognition application or before starting a compensation measure. However, in some cases, evidence first needs to be presented to a new employer. An individual is personally suited when: The person has committed no criminal offences and is reliable

Evidence of personal aptitude may be provided, for example, by:

• Certificate of good conduct
• A criminal records extract or equivalent evidence from the country or origin.
• Declaration of whether criminal proceedings are pending before a court, for example insolvency proceedings.
• for citizens of the EU/EEA/Switzerland: Certificate of Good Standing

All evidence must be a maximum of 3 months old.

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German: Berufsabschluss

An individual has a vocational qualification if they have completed vocational education and training and have successfully passed a state or state-recognised final examination. Evidence of the vocational qualification is provided by the certificate.

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German: EU-Berufsanerkennungsrichtlinie
Also: Berufsanerkennungsrichtlinie, Anerkennungsrichtlinie

The official name for the EU Recognition Directive is: Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications. The directive regulates the recognition of professional qualifications between countries of the European Union (EU) with respect to regulated professions.

The most important rules are:

• The foreign professional qualification must be equivalent to the German professional qualification.
• The competent authority must take into account professional experience in the recognition procedure.
• Professional experience may compensate for substantial differences between the foreign professional qualification and the German reference occupation.
• Individuals with insufficient professional experience are also able to compensate for substantial differences via compensation measures.

The directive entered into force on 15 October 2005 and was reformed by Directive 2013/55/EU.

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German: Dienstleistungsfreiheit

The freedom to provide services permits individuals who are independently providing services in a country of the European Union (EU) to also provide these in every other country of the EU. However, this only applies to independent activities. These are independent commercial, skilled craft or freelance activities which are offered to others. The freedom to provide services applies only to temporary and occasional activities. It is not a permanent option and does not apply to salaried employees. This is governed by the freedom of establishment.

The activity only needs to be reported beforehand in writing to the competent authority in Germany for regulated professions such as medical practitioner.

Those wishing to work independently in Germany must go through recognition of their professional qualification in Germany. This also applies to salaried individuals.
 

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German: automatische Anerkennung

Some regulated professions are automatically recognised within the European Union (EU). These professions are always equivalent. This is because, in the EU, uniform standards exist in the vocational qualification in these professions. Individuals in these professions are therefore permitted to work in all countries of the EU. They must, however, have completed the training in a country which is part of the EU.

Automatic recognition applies to the following occupations:

• Medical practitioner
• Dentist
• Veterinarian
• Pharmacist
• Nurse
• Midwife and obstetrician
• Architect

A list of these professions is provided in the appendix of the EU Recognition Directive (2005/36/EU).

An application for recognition must also be made to the competent authority for automatic recognition. However, in the recognition procedure there is no assessment of equivalence.

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German: Approbation

Approbation is official state authorisation to practice. With an approbation, individuals are permitted to work permanently and without restrictionsin an academic medical profession in Germany.
For example:

• Medical practitioners
• Pharmacists

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German: Berufszulassung

Authorisation to practice a profession is permission from one of the official competent authorities to work in a profession. Or authorisation from an official competent authority permitting use of a specific designation of occupation.

Authorisation to practice must be applied for from the competent authority. The individual is only permitted to work in the profession if they have been granted the authorisation to practice.

An authorisation to practice a profession includes for example:

• Approbation or authorisation to practice a profession. For example: Medical practitioner
• Use of a designation of occupation. For example: Registered general nurse
• Entry into the Register of Craftsmen

This applies to professions in the trades or crafts which require a license. Only then is the individual permitted to refer to themselves as a master craftsperson or to start to trade or establish a business themselves.

The competent authority provides information regarding professions within their area of jurisdiction involving authorisation to practice.

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German: Sprachzertifikat
Also: Sprachdiplom, Sprachtest, Sprachnachweis, Deutschzertifikat

Evidence of German language skills is required for many regulated professions. This evidence is provided by a so-called language certificate or language diploma. The person must pass a language test successfully and will then receive a language certificate or a language diploma. A language certificate certifies the level of German language skills. The level is determined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (GER) There are different language levels. Each profession requires a specific level of language. The competent authority provides information about the level of language required for the specific profession and about the language certificate.

Language certificates for German include:

• The language diploma from the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
• Goethe Institut German language certificate
• The European Language Certificate (TELC)
• German as a foreign language test (TestDaF)

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German: Fortbildung
Also: berufliche Fortbildung, Aufstiegsfortbildung

Advanced vocational training enables individuals with vocational education and training to acquire or to practice vocational knowledge and skills. This enables these individuals to improve their professional training and their professional prospects in the labour market.
In Germany, there is also advanced training for individuals without vocational education and training. However, these individuals must normally have professional experience.

Advanced training courses are regulated by the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) or by the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code (HwO). A distinction is made between upgrading training (e.g. master craftsman courses), retraining and updating training.
There is also an examination the end of the advanced training. Those who passed the examination receive an advanced training qualification.

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German: amtliche Beglaubigung

An official certification confirms that a copy corresponds the original. To do this, the copy and original of the document are compared with each other. This is confirmed on the copy with a certification note or stamp. A certified copy can often be used instead of the original. In Germany, authorities or notaries can officially certify a copy.

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German: Übersetzerin oder Übersetzer (öffentlich bestellt/ermächtigt)
Also:
ermächtigte Übersetzerin/ ermächtigter Übersetzer
vereidigte Übersetzerin/vereidigter Übersetzer
beeidigte Übersetzerin/beeidigter Übersetzer

Translators translate one language into another. Sometimes a translation of official documents requires confirmation of the accuracy of the translation. If so, an official attestation clause and signature are then added to the document. Only authorized translators are permitted to issue this confirmation in Germany. They have been authorised by a court to do this. In Germany translators have a range of different titles They can be

• publicly appointed ("öffentlich bestellt")
• court appointed ("gerichtlich bestellt")
• (generally) authorized ("(allgemein) ermächtigt")
• (generally) sworn) ("(allgemein) vereidigt/beeidigt")

In most cases an application for recognition includes documents which need to be translated. A list of translators is available online in the federal state administration of justice department's database of interpreters and translators.

Sometimes competent authorities do not allow translations from a translator who has been publicly appointed abroad. It is therefore important to ask the competent authority about this before a translation: Can I have my documents translated in my country of origin?
The German embassies in other countries provide information about the contact details of publicly appointed or authorized translators abroad.

Database of interpreters and translators

German embassies in other countries

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German: Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz (BQFG)

The Professional Qualifications Assessment Act is an important element of the Recognition Act. The Professional Qualifications Assessment Act exists in Germany at federal level and in the 16 federal states. It is always Article 1 of the Recognition Act for the Recognition of Professional qualifications. It regulates the recognition procedure.

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German: Spätaussiedler
Also: Aussiedler, Russlanddeutsche

Ethnic German resettlers are people of German descent who immigrate to Germany from the former Soviet Union or from eastern Europe. These persons are officially recognised as ethnic German resettlers.

The ethnic German repatriates certificate enables them to apply for a special procedure for professional recognition. Another name for the ethnic German repatriates’ certificate is Expellee Identification Card.