One digital application for all

Skilled workers from around the world can use the Recognition Finder from “Anerkennung in Deutschland” to submit applications online for recognition of their foreign professional qualifications. This is made possible as a result of the digital application service – a cooperation between the federal government, the federal states and the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). Ten federal states and the IHK FOSA have already been connected, along with many professions.

Aline Martin and Sven Mückenheim are working on the project on behalf of BIBB. In the interview they explain the role of “Anerkennung in Deutschland” and the challenges involved in setting up and expanding the digital recognition application service.

The digital application service is now a familiar concept, but what is it all about?

Sven Mückenheim: It is all about implementing the Online Access Act (OZG). This aims to digitalise all administrative services in Germany – including recognition, as there were no comprehensive digital offers here either. Initial deliberations began in the area of education and training in 2019. Experts were brought together for a “recognition digitalisation lab.” The experts attempted to design the ideal user journey, taking the doctor of medicine profession as an example.

Following a technical preliminary study, 2020 saw the launch of the implementation project led by the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia and financed by the federal government. The goal was to develop a digital service to which all federal states, where possible, would connect – this was referred to as a “one for all solution”..

Aline Martin: And obviously, if possible, all professions too. This is because there is a large number of federal and federal state professions and therefore also different recognition procedures. Similar professions were therefore clustered together at an early stage to obtain the best possible overview of all professions and procedures.

Following this, working groups were formed comprising specialists from the federal government and the federal states in order to develop digital application routes. Paper versions of application forms were studied in detail, legal requirements were again examined and an attempt was made to create standardised digital applications for the participating federal states.

Sven Mückenheim: These applications obviously also had to be developed and tested, and requirements for technical aspects had to be put in place to connect the authorities. And behind all this there is of course also a large organisational structure which involves the participating federal states and supports the strategic planning.

How does “Anerkennung in Deutschland” specifically contribute to this? 

Aline Martin: We initially grouped together the professions, or more specifically recognition procedures, in a meaningful way. We succeeded in dividing the professions and their recognition procedures into ten clusters. The focus for the relevant working groups was then on designing the specific application routes. We worked intensively on this together with the BMBF (now BMBFSFJ¹), the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the experts from the federal government and the federal states. This involved, for example, participating in the working groups, resolving technical issues and contributing expertise from the recognition portal. Our work on the Recognition Finder means we are familiar with the requirements and recognition procedures for all professional qualifications and have a comprehensive overview of professions and procedures in all federal states..

Sven Mückenheim: The Recognition Finder was also identified early on as an ideal starting point for the digital application. This is the place where we explain to our target group – the international skilled workers – what the specific recognition procedures are for their respective professional qualifications. At no other point can this information be accessed so comprehensively and in such a focused way. The recognition portal has also been established globally since 2012 and is easy to find and widely used by the target group. The result is that skilled workers are now able to start the online application directly from the Recognition Finder. Everything functions seamlessly and makes the application process easier. Our national overview and our knowledge and systematization of professions obviously helped in implementing such a large-scale digital service.

Aline Martin: And this is precisely what the application service builds upon. The user journey in the Recognition Finder now no longer ends with information about the procedure and who you have to contact. Instead, users can start the online application straight away with all the information they need. This shows the federal government and federal states working hand in hand.

In your view, what were the key milestones for the digital application process?

Aline Martin: One milestone is obviously the development of largely standardised applications nationwide – and achieving this for around 880 occupations. The first “visible” milestone was without doubt the go-live of the online application for doctors of medicine in North Rhine-Westphalia. Many competent authorities and federal states have been added since then. Currently, competent authorities from ten federal states are online with a range of different professions.

Sven Mückenheim: In a major project such as this, we identify the many invisible “internal” milestones. These include organisational, technical, specialist and legal tasks. The MAGS NRW² led the entire process through to the ultimate availability of the application service. The BMBFSFJ supports the project. Looking back, this involved very close and productive collaboration. By working with all federal states involved, it has been possible to align applications and requirements in terms of language and content. This really is a major benefit for skilled workers, competent authorities and advisers..

Aline Martin: Also, we must not forget IHK FOSA coming online in May 2025. Skilled workers are now able to submit their applications online nationwide for more than 250 occupations in trade and industry. There was also the transition which came before this to “full-scale operation”. In other words, the application service is established and running on a permanent basis.

What are the next stages in the expansion of the digital service?

Sven Mückenheim: Currently, 13 federal states are participating in the application service. However, this does not yet mean that applications for all professions in all federal states are available digitally. On the contrary, the technology needs to be put in place for the individual federal states to also be connected. The federal states are certainly working towards this with real commitment, however a large number of technical and legal steps also need to be overcome. Unfortunately, this takes a lot of time. And the connection isn't the end of it. We have created the digital application together. The federal states, however, also have to be able to consistently receive the data digitally and process it in software systems. Only in this way can the professional work itself be made faster and easier.

Aline Martin: This also includes consideration of the entire process from the information, application and processing of the competent authorities through to the notice and record filing process. However these are tasks which do not fall directly within the scope of the application service and the objectives of the OZG.

Sven Mückenheim: However, a joint federal state development of this type might also offer a good basis for further technical components. The BMBFSFJ, North-Rhine Westphalia and the other federal states are also working on this point together. BIBB is also involved.

Aline Martin: One good aspect and overarching milestone is also that the application service now provides a good starting point for further ongoing joint development with the aim of further accelerating and simplifying recognition procedures.

The interview took place in October 2025. Aline Martin and Sven Mückenheim are research assistants in BIBB division “Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications”. Contact for questions: Feedback on the portal

International skilled workers submit their application via the Recognition Finder: In the last step, ‘Your procedure’, they will find the button ‘Online application’.

¹ BMBFSFJ: Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
² MAGS NRW: North-Rhine Westphalian Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs