Glossary

German: Beschleunigtes Verfahren

Accelerated procedure means that the time needed for a recognition procedure is less than usual. Companies are able to apply for the accelerated procedure for the entry of skilled workers from third countries. To do this, the company concludes an agreement with the competent central immigration office. The competent immigration office applies for the recognition procedure. It acts as the central point of contact for the company and the competent authority. Certain prerequisites are necessary for an accelerated procedure. An accelerated procedure can mean that the duration of the recognition procedure is shortened to two months. Coordination by the central immigration office means that the visa procedure can also be accelerated.

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.

German: Fortbildungsabschluss

An advanced training qualification is a professional qualification. Individuals who have successfully completed advanced training receive the advanced training qualification.

Advanced training qualifications exist which are comparable in terms of level with higher education or university degrees. For example, to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Advanced training includes:

• Master craftsperson
• Consultant
• Specialist
• Management specialist
• Business economist

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.

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.
 

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

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.

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.

German: Berufserlaubnis

Authorisation to practise a profession is state authorisation to practice. This means individuals are permitted to work in Germany in a specific profession. For example in an academic medical profession.

Authorisation to practice a profession in the academic medical professions is time-limited and generally contains further restrictions.

With an approbation, individuals are permitted to work in an academic medical profession in Germany permanently and without restrictions. For example medical practitioners may obtain authorisation to practice a profession in the recognition procedure, however this is still not an approbation.

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.

German: Sachkundenachweis
See also Befähigungsnachweis

German: EU-Konformitätsbescheinigung
Also: Konformitätsbescheinigung

The certificate of conformity is an official document within the European Union (EU). This states that the individual concerned has completed their training in accordance with the minimum EU standard. This is also referred to as conformity of training.

The certificate of conformity is required in the following situation:

• An individual has applied for recognition of their foreign professional qualification.
• This individual has acquired their professional qualification in an EU country
• The individual acquired their professional qualification or started before the country of training became a member state of the EU.

The certificate of conformity is issued for foreign professional qualifications with automatic recognition. Individuals receive the certificate of conformity from the competent authority in the country of origin.

German: Berufsurkunde
Also: Zulassungsurkunde, Erlaubnisurkunde

A certificate of entitlement confirms that an individual is permitted to practice a specific occupation. It is written evidence and is primarily issued for regulated professions. A certificate of entitlement contains the designation of occupation, the name of the individual permitted to practice the occupation and other information such as location and date.

Examples of a certificate of entitlement are:

• Authorisation to use the designation of occupation
• Approbation certificate
• Authorisation to practise a profession
• State recognition

In some cases the certificate of entitlement must also be presented in the recognition procedure.

German: Führungszeugnis
Also: polizeiliches Führungszeugnis

A certificate of good conduct is a document from an authority. it contains all of an individual's registered previous convictions.

From the age of 14, all individuals are able to apply for a certificate of good conduct. The application is submitted as follows:

• In Germany: To the municipal administration of the individual’s primary residence.
• Abroad: To the German diplomatic mission.

Most countries have a document which is comparable to the German certificate of good conduct.

German: Certificate of Good Standing
Also:
Erworbene Rechte
Zuverlässigkeitsnachweis
Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung
Letter of Good Standing
Unbescholtenheit

The certificate of good standing is an important document for recognition in many regulated professions—for recognition in a medical profession for example. The certificate of good standing allows an individual to demonstrate their personal aptitude. The document states that:

• The person applying is permitted to work in their profession without restrictions in another country.
• There are no criminal proceedings being brought against the individual.
• There are no sanctions or disciplinary measures imposed on the individual.

The certificate of good standing is issued in the country in which the person applying has most recently worked.

German: Kammer
Also: berufsständische Körperschaft, Standesvertretung

Institution which administers individuals in the same or similar profession. There are different types of chambers. For example:

• Chamber of Crafts and Trades
• Chamber of Physicians
• Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK)

A chamber undertakes government tasks and looks after the interests  of the members. A chamber has a range of responsibilities. For example:

• Specifying training content
• Establishing examination guidelines
• Issuing authorisations to practise
• A chamber may also be the competent authority for the recognition of professional qualifications.

German: Gemeinsamer Europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen (GER)

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a recommendation from the Council of Europe regarding language skills in a foreign language. The CEFR divides foreign language skills into various competence levels and levels of language. This makes language skills more comparable. The CEFR is also used as a standard for acquisition of language skills.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Self-assessment grid from Europass

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.

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.

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.

German: Weiterbildungsabschluss

A continuing education qualification is a professional qualification. An individual gains a continuing education qualification if they successfully complete formal continuing vocational education and training. The individual must also successfully pass the state or state-recognised final examination.
Continuing education qualifications following upgrading training included for example

• Master craftsperson
• Specialist

Both of these continuing education qualifications are regulated in the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code (HwO) and the Vocational Training Act (BBiG).

There are also continuing education qualifications at trade and technical schools These are regulated by the federal states. For example:

• State-certified business specialist
• State-certified technician

Specific continuing education also exists for certain specialisms in academic medical professions. For example:

• Medical specialist
• Specialist pharmacist

The relevant Chamber regulates this continuing education in so-called continuing education regulations.

German: Verfahrenskosten

The costs of the procedure are the costs of the recognition procedure. This means that individuals going through the recognition procedure must pay money to the competent authority.

The recognition procedure may also involve further costs For example for:
•    Translation of certificates
•    Certification of documents
This is because translations and certifications cost money. However, financial support is available for individuals going through the recognition procedure.
Information regarding this is available under “Financing possibilities”.

Financing possibilities

German: Herkunftsland
Also: Herkunftsstaat, Heimatland

The country of origin is the country in which an individual was born or grew up. In most cases the individual has citizenship of this country.
 

German: Ausbildungsland
Also: Ausbildungsstaat

The country in which the final certificate for a professional qualification was issued.

German: Handwerk, zulassungspflichtiges

Certain professions in the crafts and trades sector require a licence. A craft or trade which requires a licence is a trade involving potential hazards. This means that if the trade is not correctly performed, there may be risks for customers and other people. There are 41 crafts and trades requiring a license These professions include for example:

• Electrical engineer
• Carpenter
• Pastry chef

The crafts and trades which require a licence are listed in Appendix A of the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code.

Craftspeople are able to become self-employed and set up a business. A requirement of the crafts or trades which require a licence is entry beforehand in the Register of Craftsmen. Tradespeople in the crafts and trades which do not require a licence and those similar to the skilled crafts and trades not need to do this.

Master craftspersons in the crafts or trades which require a licence are entered in the Register of Craftsmen. Individuals with a foreign professional qualification must also undertake an equivalence assessment. If the equivalence of the foreign vocational qualification is established with the relevant German master craftsman qualification, then those individuals can be entered in the Register of Craftsmen. They are then allowed to run a craft trade business independently.

There are also trades and businesses which do not require a licence and which are similar to the skilled crafts and trades. Other rules then apply to self-employment.

German: duale Berufsausbildung
Also: duales System

see vocational education and training
 

German: Erwerbstätigkeit

Employment is work which is regulated by contract. Employed persons include:

• Employees
• Salaried employee
• Self-employed people
• Freelancers
• Persons in a mini job

German: Gleichwertigkeit

see recognition

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

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.

German: EU-Bescheinigung
Also: EU-Bescheinigung über Berufserfahrung, EG-Bescheinigung
English: Certificate of Professional Experience

To work in an EU state, official proof of professional experience in another EU member state is often required. The so-called EU attestation is particularly important in Germany for professions in the crafts and trades sector and in the area of industry and commerce.

The competent authority for the profession in the country of origin grants the EU attestation.

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.

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.

The European Professional Card (EPC) is an electronic procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications. It applies only to countries of the European Union (EU).

The EPC currently exists for the following professions:

• Pharmacist
• Nurse
• Physiotherapist
• Mountain guide
• Estate agent

Further information on the EPC 
Your Europe: European Professional Card - EPC

German: Ausbildungsnachweis

Evidence of formal qualifications documents that a professional qualification covers. For example:

• Certificates
• Examination certificates
• Diploma

Evidence of formal professional qualifications is issued by an authority. It must be issued in the country in which the professional qualification was obtained.

German: Prüfungsgebühren

Examination fees are the cost of participating in a state examination. This means that individuals may be required to pay money for participating in an examination.

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.

German: Gebührenbescheid

A fee notification is an official letter from an authority concerning administrative costs, for example costs for the recognition procedure. A fee notification states the authority's services and the costs.

German: Folgeantrag
Also: Nachfolgeantrag, Wiederaufnahmeantrag

A follow-up application is a new application for recognition, made following a refresher training. Here the competent authority checks whether the substantial differences have been compensated for by the refresher training.

If the substantial differences have been compensated for, the competent authority determines the full recognition.

German: Niederlassungsfreiheit

The right for citizens of the European Union (EU) to work independently and permanently in another EU country. These individuals are permitted to have a trade or business. They are also permitted to work independently in commercial, craft trade or liberal occupations.

Freedom of establishment in a regulated profession in Germany is only possible with recognition of a foreign professional qualification. This applies for example to medical practitioners.
If individuals only want to work in Germany for a specific period of time, they need no recognition. The freedom to provide services then applies.

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.
 

German: Berufsfachschule

Full-time vocational school is a type of school providing vocational education. In a full-time vocational school, pupils are able to train in an entirely school-based training occupation.
Other courses are also available at a full-time vocational school in which, for example, only parts of the vocational education and training are taught.

German: Heilberuf

Individuals in a medical profession take care of the health of people or animals.

Individuals are only permitted to work in their profession with an approbation, authorisation to practise a profession or authorisation to use the designation of occupation. For example:

• Medical practitioners
• Dentists
• Registered general nurse

A summary of all medical professions is available here.

German: Gesundheitsberuf

The term “Healthcare occupations” refers to all professions in which a person is cared for or receives medical assistance. They involve a multitude of professional activities and tasks. These professions are governed differently under the law, and certain prerequisites are in place regarding access to professions and within the recognition procedure. However, in almost all cases a recognition procedure must be completed.

Individuals in a healthcare occupation take care of the health of other people.

Healthcare occupations include academic and non-academic medical professions. For example:

• Medical practitioner
• Optician
• Dental technician

German: Herkunftsmitgliedstaat

Home member state is the term for a country of origin in the European Union (EU).

Citizens of the EU are permitted to enter other EU countries and be resident there. There is a law for this. The law is called: EU Directive 2004/38/EC.
 

see Intention to start work

German: Absicht der Arbeitsaufnahme
Also: Erwerbstätigkeitsabsicht, Arbeitsabsicht; Nachweis, Darlegung, Glaubhaftmachung der Arbeitsabsicht

Persons seeking to work in Germany can apply for recognition of their professional qualification from abroad. Persons from third countries must provide proof of their intention to seek work in Germany.

The competent authority may demand proof of the intention to work. A competent authority will then also know the location or federal state in which the person is seeking to work.

The proof of the intention to work includes, for example,: 

• The location note of the Service Center for Professional Recognition (ZSBA)
• Contact with an employer in Germany: e.g. contract of employment, confirmation of employment, applications, invitations to interviews
• Business idea for self-employed work
• Application for entry visa to work in Germany

Exceptions: Persons from the EU/EEA/Switzerland do not need to provide proof. They simply need to declare the location in which they are seeking to work in Germany. Persons coming from a third country and who already live in the EU/EEA/Switzerland are also not required to provide proof. However, the location note can be helpful. It confirms to the competent authority that the person wants to work in the named federal state. E.g. if the person has still not found an employer in Germany.

Documents for the application

Service Center for Professional Recognition

Abbr: Internal Market Information System (IMI)

Electronic system of the European Union (EU) for exchanging information. The IMI enables public bodies in the European Economic Area to exchange information over the internet.
For example, the competent authority for recognition is therefore able to receive information directly from the competent authority in the country of origin.

German: Kenntnisprüfung

A knowledge test is a compensation measure for individuals from third countries, who are completing the recognition procedure for regulated medical professions.

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

The competent authority conducts the knowledge test.
The knowledge test relates to the content of a German state final examination. All the content of such a final examination may be tested. However it is not essential that all content is examined.

The legal or professional requirements for being able to work in Germany as a foreigner.

The Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz—AufenthG) regulates access to the labour market. Different regulations exist for citizens of different countries. What’s important here is the reason for the residence (see residence permit). Freedom of movement applies to residents from EU/EEA/Switzerland.

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)

German: Freie Berufe

Many professions are so-called liberal professions. These are professions which, by law, require a specific qualification or in which an individual works scientifically or artistically. The liberal professions include for example:

• Medical practitioner
• Lawyer
• Tax accountant
• Architect
• Journalist
• Physiotherapist

Individuals working in the liberal professions (freelancers) offer their services or work to other people for money. They are normally self-employed and work independently. This means that they have no employer.

Liberal professions are not trades or businesses (German: Gewerbe) For many liberal occupations, recognition of a foreign professional qualification is required.

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

German: Eheurkunde
Also: Heiratsurkunde

A marriage certificate is an official document which certifies a marriage.
A marriage certificate is issued by the relevant registry office. A divorce is also entered in the marriage certificate.
 

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.

Medical fitness is important for some regulated professions for an application for recognition. For example, for professions in the areas of public health, security and in the social and education sector. The competent authority requires proof of medical fitness for these professions This applies before starting a compensation measure. However, in some cases, evidence first needs to be presented to a new employer. An individual is medically fit when they can work physically and psychologically in their profession.

In most cases proof of medical fitness can be provided by means of a doctor's certificate. This certificate states that the professional activity will not be impaired by the health of the individual. This certificate must not be more than 3 months old.

It may be the case that the competent authority only requires a personal declaration regarding the state of an individual's health.

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.

German: Bescheid
See recognition notice.

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.

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

German: Partieller Berufszugang

A foreign professional qualification may differ significantly from a German professional qualification. Recognition is then not possible. However, sometimes the competent authority is able to approve so-called partial access to a profession. Partial access to a profession permits a person to work in Germany. The following prerequisites apply for working with partial access to a profession.

• The person has a professional qualification from a state of the EU/EEA or from Switzerland.
• The person is permitted to work in the profession without restriction in the country of training.
• The professional qualification from abroad comprises only part of the German professional qualification.
• The foreign professional qualification is not equivalent to the German professional qualification. The substantial differences are too large. In this case a compensation measure covers the entire German training.

The competent authority grants authorisation for partial access to a profession. An application must be made for this. This authorisation permits a person to work in Germany. However, the person is only permitted to perform certain activities. The person must also use the professional title from their country of training.

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.

German: Positivliste

The positive list is a list of all shortage occupations. It is recompiled regularly by the Federal Employment Agency (BA).

In Germany there are specific occupations with not enough employees. These professions are known as shortage occupations.
 

German: Berufsausübung

Working in a profession in which you are qualified.

German: Berufserfahrung
Also: Berufspraxis

Working lawfully in a profession and gaining professional experience in the process. In Germany or in another country.

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.

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.

German: Berufsverzeichnis
Also: Berufsregister, Berufsliste, Verzeichnis

A list of individuals permitted to work in a profession in a specific region. For example: the Register of Craftsmen or Directory of Architects. A professional register is generally maintained by the relevant Chamber.

A professional register is therefore important for recognition of a foreign professional qualification: In some regulated professions an individual may only work if they are entered into the relevant professional register. This may also apply to the use of the designation of occupation. Entry into the professional register does not take place until after successful recognition.

German: Profi-Filter

The Profi-Filter is a specific tool on the website of www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de. The Profi-Filter provides particular search functions for these individuals:  

• Experts
• Specialist advisers

This enables these individuals to search specifically for important information. For example:

• Competent authorities
• Professions subject to statutory regulation
• Professions subject to specific regulations
• Occupation groups (based on the standardized national classification of occupations 2010 (KLDB 2010) of the Federal Employment Agency and the Federal Statistical Office.

Many people want use the website to find out about recognition of their professional qualification. For these individuals, the Recognition Finder is better suited for this purpose.

German: Befähigungsnachweis
Also: Certificate of competence

The following is important for some independent activities and trades and businesses (German: “Gewerbe”): The individual must have specialist knowledge or the competency in specific activities. The individual must provide written evidence of their specialist knowledge or competency. Only then will the individual receive authorisation for the practice of specific activities in the profession. The document providing this authorisation is called a qualification certificate or certificate of competence.

There is specific theoretical and practical training for a qualification certificate. There is often also an examination (for example an expert knowledge examination). Following this the individual receives the qualification certificate or the certificate of competence as an official document. For some activities, the individual must also provide evidence that they are personally or medically suitable This applies for example to the following activities:

• Security guard
• Insurance broker
• Driving instructor

An individual may also have acquired specialist knowledge in their profession. In this case vocational education and training is just as valid as a qualification certificate or certificate of competence. This is also the case for a foreign professional qualification. The competent authority checks whether the foreign professional qualification can be recognised for a qualification certificate or certificate of competence.
 

German: Faire Anwerbung Pflege Deutschland
 

When searching for an employer, general nurses from third countries should look out for the “Fair Recruitment of Careworkers for Germany” quality seal. 

The quality seal helps them to find employers who guarantee good working conditions for general nurses from abroad. General nurses can be confident that recruitment processes in companies with the quality seal will be fair and transparent.

Fair Recruitment of Careworkers for Germany

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.
 

German: Anerkennungsgesetz

The Recognition Act regulates the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. The Recognition Act states that individuals with a foreign professional qualification in Germany have the right to a recognition procedure.

The official name of the act is: Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications Act
There is the Recognition Act of the Federal Government and the Recognition Acts of the 16 Federal States. Important parts of the Recognition Act are the Law for the Amendment of the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BQFG) and the adaptations to special laws and regulations relating to occupations.

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.

German: Anerkennungszuschuss
Also: Anerkennungszuschuss des Bundes, „Zuschuss“

The recognition grant provides financial support for the recognition procedures of foreign professional qualifications or higher education degrees.

Financing

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

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

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.
 

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.

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.

German: Handwerksrolle

List kept by Chambers of Crafts and Trades of the owners of businesses in the crafts or trades which require a license.

In Germany, individuals in the crafts and trades sector are able to start a business. In the crafts or trades which require a license they must have specific advanced vocational education and training qualification to do this. This training is called Master craftsman training. Master craftsmen must be entered in the Register of Craftsmen. They then receive the craftsman's card.

Individuals with foreign advanced vocational education and training as a master craftsperson in the crafts and trades sector are able to submit an application for recognition for this professional qualification. The recognition allows them also to be entered in the Register of Craftsmen. However, this does not confer the title of master craftsperson!

German: Gewerbeanmeldung

In Germany, a trade or business must be registered with the trade office. The official certification for a trade or business is referred to as: Trading licence.

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.

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

German: Engpassberufe
Also: Mangelberufe

For specific occupations in Germany there are not enough employees. This means that there are not enough individuals being trained in these occupations. These professions are known as shortage occupations.

Shortage occupations primarily include technical professions and some healthcare and nursing professions. Shortage occupations are entered in the positive list.
 

German:  Einheitlicher Ansprechpartner (EA)

The Single Point of Contact is an electronic service from the administrative bodies. The service provides information and support with authority procedures. This also includes the recognition procedure and those procedures required for independent cross-border service provision. In Germany, there is a central Single Point of Contact in each federal state. Individuals from an EU country are able to submit their documents for their recognition procedure using the relevant online portal. The Single Point of Contact forwards these documents to the competent authority.

Your Single Point of Contact can be found here.

Find your Point of Single Contact

German: Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz

The Skilled Immigration Act (also known as the “Law on the further development of skilled worker immigration”) facilitates immigration from third countries. It makes it easier for skilled workers who have completed vocational education and training or a higher education qualification and for people with practical professional knowledge to move to Germany.

Regulations on the immigration of skilled workers

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.

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.

Practical evidence of vocational knowledge and skills is provided in a skills analysis.

For example:

• Work sample
• Professional discussion
• 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

German: Fachsprachenprüfung, Fachsprachprüfung
Also: Specialist language exam

Those applying for recognition in a healthcare occupation, such as doctor of medicine, pharmacist or physiotherapist, must also demonstrate specialist German language skills. Specialist German language skills means: you also have sufficient knowledge of German in the medical sector.

The specialist language examination is an oral and written examination. It generally involves a discussion between patient and doctor. Those who pass the specialist language examination receive a specialist language certificate. There are different examination levels. The specialist language levels are determined by the occupation.

You do not have to register for the specialist language examination. Those required to sit a specialist language examination are informed by the competent authority.

There is a cost for the specialist language examination.

The specialist language examination is sometimes not required:

• You are fluent in the German language. This will be determined by the competent authority.
• The professional qualification comes from a German-speaking university.
• The professional qualification comes from a German-speaking school after a minimum of 10 years of training.
• The professional training took at least three years and was conducted in German.

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 is available here.

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!

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.

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

German: Fachschule

Trade and technical school is a type of school providing vocational education. Here, an individual with completed vocational education and training and with professional experience can undertake continuing vocational education and training. This continuing VET can be completed on a full or part-time basis. Trade and technical schools also offer the following continuing vocational education and training:

• Additional or development training courses
• Continuing updating education and training measures

Trade and technical schools are regulated by the federal states

German: Gewerbe

A trade or business refers to a commercial activity operated independently and at one's own risk. For example: Running a restaurant, a shop or a craft trade business. An individual with a trade or business does not have an employer.

A trade or business must be registered. The trade or business must be registered before it commences.

Freedom of trade exists in Germany. Each individual is permitted to practise a trade or run a business. For some trades or businesses however, a specific authorisation, a licence or a certificate of competence is required in order to be permitted to carry it out independently. In certain cases the trade or business is also specifically monitored. These trades or businesses are also referred to as regulated trades or businesses. These include, for example:

• Security services
• Insurance broker
• Care services

There are other regulations for such trades and business in the craft trades.

Many trades and businesses are governed by the Trade Regulation Act. It is important to understand the regulations before commencing trade or starting a business. Information regarding this is available from the trade office (Gewerbeamt) and the tax authority (Finanzamt). Many trades or businesses also require recognition of a foreign professional qualification.

There are independent activities which are not classified as trades or business. These include the so-called liberal professions. For example:

• Lawyer
• Artist
• Scientist

Professions in the sectors of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries are also not trades or businesses. Other regulations apply to these professions.

Trade Regulation Act

German: Handwerk

In the trades and crafts sector, individuals primarily engage in professions involving craft trade activities. There are around 130 craft trades. These include, for example:

• Baker
• Hairdresser
• Watchmaker
• Electrical engineer
• Photographer

Training in the crafts and trades sector is completed with a journeyman examination after 3 to 3 1/2 years. Following this, there is the opportunity to complete advanced vocational training as a master craftsperson.

Individuals with a craft trade are able to work independently. This means that they are permitted to run their own craft trade business.

In a craft or trade which requires a license you must be a master craftsman. This is also the case with an equivalent foreign professional qualification (recognition procedure). You must also have been entered in the Register of Craftsman beforehand. The Crafts and Trades Regulation Code regulates these requirements.

You can also run your own craft trade business in trades or crafts which do not require a licence and in those similar to the skilled crafts and trades . For this you must have previously been entered in a register or you must register a trade or business with the trade office. Recognition is not required in this case.

The crafts and trades requiring a license and those similar to the skilled crafts and trades are specified in the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code in Appendix B.

Both apply to individuals with a foreign professional qualification.

Crafts and Trades Regulation Code

Appendix B of the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code

German:  Ausbildungsbetrieb

Businesses and companies in which trainees are able to complete dual vocational education and training. The practical element of vocational education and training takes place in the training company.

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

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

German: Berufsbezeichnung
Also: Berufsbezeichnung führen

The professional title is the name of a profession. Some professional title may only be used with state authorisation for use of the professional title. These professions include for example:

• Engineer
• Physiotherapist
• and other professions in the healthcare sector.

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.

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.

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.

German: Vocational school

Vocational school is a type of school providing vocational education. A vocational school is where the school-based element of dual vocational education and training occurs.

German: Arbeitserlaubnis

“Work permit” is not an official term and there is no separate document for this. The official term is permission to commence gainful employment. This permission is granted by the Immigration Office by means of a note in the residence permit. Individuals from third countries require this permission in order to be allowed to work in Germany. This means that individuals from third countries are only permitted to work in Germany if they have a note relating to this in the residence permit.

EU and the EEA citizens require no residence permit to be able to work in Germany. Swiss citizens require only the Swiss residency permit.

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