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Work and recognition

Getting foreign qualifications recognised

Did you train for a profession or study? Here we explain when you need recognition, which office is responsible and who advises you for free.

Draft: This page has not yet been reviewed by our experts.

Short answer

Which office assesses your qualification depends on your profession. In regulated professions, such as health professions or teaching, you need recognition to be allowed to work. In many other professions it is voluntary but helps with job applications. For university degrees there is also the ZAB statement of comparability (Zeugnisbewertung). Free advice helps you find the right office.

Step by step

  1. Clarify your profession and goal

    If your profession is regulated in Germany, you need recognition to work in it. Otherwise it is voluntary but makes your qualification understandable for employers.

  2. Find the responsible office

    The Recognition Finder on anerkennung-in-deutschland.de shows the office for your profession and place of residence. Free advice is available from the NRW recognition counselling service and the Federal Employment Agency’s central recognition service.

  3. Gather your documents

    Usually you need certificates, a list of subjects and grades, proof of work experience and translations. The responsible office tells you which form is required, for example certified copies.

  4. Apply and clarify the costs

    Most procedures cost money. Ask the Jobcenter or the Employment Agency beforehand whether they can cover the costs.

  5. Use the decision

    If full equivalence is confirmed, add the decision to your job applications. If only partial equivalence is found, it shows what is missing; there are adaptation qualifications for this.

Documents you need

  • Final certificate and diploma
  • List of subjects and grades
  • Proof of work experience
  • German translations, if requested
  • Passport or ID card
  • CV

Deadlines and costs

Costs: vary by office. The ZAB statement of comparability costs 200 euros for the first application and 100 euros for each further one.

Duration: for the ZAB statement, about three months after receipt of the complete application and fee is usually given; other procedures vary.

Advice: the NRW counselling service and the Federal Employment Agency’s initial advice are free.

Common pitfalls

  • Certificates are missing, e.g. because you fled – there are other ways to prove qualifications; get advice
  • Expensive translations – clarify first which documents really need translating
  • Confusing the ZAB statement with recognition – it is a comparison, not a licence to practise
  • Costs not clarified in advance – ask the Jobcenter or Employment Agency before you apply

Frequently asked questions

Do I need recognition to work?
Only in regulated professions, for example health professions or teaching. In many other professions you can work without recognition.
What does recognition cost?
It depends on the office. The ZAB statement costs 200 euros. Ask beforehand whether the Jobcenter or the Employment Agency will cover the costs.
Who advises me for free?
The NRW recognition counselling service, the Federal Employment Agency’s central recognition service and we at D-Bridge.

This might also help

Want your qualification recognised?

Bring your certificates. We’ll work out together who is responsible.

Book an appointment +49 176 84918760