Statement of Comparability

Here you can find answers to the questions:

• What is a Statement of Comparability?
• When is a Statement of Comparability useful or necessary?
• What does the Statement of Comparability process involve?

What is a Statement of Comparability?

The Statement of Comparability is a procedure for assessing foreign higher education qualifications which is carried out by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). This checks whether the foreign higher education qualification is comparable to a German higher education qualification. The ZAB then issues an official certificate which describes the foreign higher education qualification and the possibilities for using it for professional and academic purposes. The certificate is likewise referred to as the Statement of Comparability.

The Statement of Comparability describes the nature and duration of the higher education training and names its equivalent in the German education system, such as a bachelor's or master's. It also provides information on opportunities for further study in Germany, on using an academic degree and on obtaining vocational Recognition. The Central Office for Foreign Education assesses higher education training from all countries of the world. The legal basis for this is the Lisbon Convention.

When is a Statement of Comparability useful or necessary?

The Statement of Comparability is for use by Skilled workers with academic training in Non-regulated professions such as biologists, physicists or linguists. The Statement of Comparability does not replace the Recognition procedure required for Regulated professions.

The Statement of Comparability is useful for skilled workers from the EU/EEA/Switzerland as it certifies and describes the quality of the foreign higher education qualification in German. This makes the Statement of Comparability an advantage when applying for a job, when changing job or when negotiating salaries.

Skilled workers from third countries are permitted to enter Germany for qualified Employment if their foreign higher education qualification is equivalent to a German higher education qualification. A Statement of Comparability is usually necessary in order to determine this. This is unless the foreign institute of higher education and the qualification are recorded in the anabin database and are assessed there accordingly.

What does the Statement of Comparability process involve?

Foreign skilled workers with academic training are able to apply to the Central Office for Foreign Education for the Statement of Comparability. Various documents are needed for this which may vary depending on the Country of origin. In general, the following documents must be submitted as copies and in some cases in certified form:

• Certificate of completion for the higher education qualification in the original language
• List of subjects and grades for the entire degree
• School-leaving certificate with higher education entrance qualification
• Written confirmation of the form and duration for degree
• Final certificates for previous degrees in the original language
• Passport or personal identification

If all documents are complete and available, the Statement of Comparability takes a maximum of three months. The Statement of Comparability costs €200 and each subsequent certificate €100. The application form and further information about the Statement of Comparability are available on the website of the Central Office for Foreign Education.