Recognition of Professional Qualifications

Have you already completed professional training or a degree in another country? If so, you should start by checking whether you can work with it in Germany or whether you require recognition of your professional qualifications.

Special recognition services examine whether your certificate is adequate for you to perform a certain profession in Germany. This examination is also called the recognition process.

What are the requirements for the recognition process?

You should be able to prove a complete professional qualification from another country and should provide as much evidence for it as possible, in the form of certification and documentation.
However, you do not require German citizenship or a residence title for recognition. You can also seek recognition if you are still in the asylum process.
It is also possible to make your application when you are still abroad.

Advice in German and English is available via the Hotline Working and Living in Germany of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The telephone number of the Hotline is +49 30-1815-1111

There are specialist advice centres to help you with everything to do with recognition. Go to the "Recognition in Germany" website to find your nearest specialist advice centre!

What are the stages of the recognition process?

The video clearly and simply explains what you need to do if you wish to have your education certificate recognised. The film gives a step-by-step explanation of how the recognition process generally works. Watch the video...

What does the process cost?

As a rule, you must cover the costs of the process yourself.

Subject to certain conditions, some employment agencies and job centres are prepared to cover the costs of the process. Travel costs may also be partially reimbursed. That must be clarified by the employment agency or job centre before the start of the recognition process.

Do not be put off if initially you must pay the costs! Try to clarify whether those costs can be covered. Recognition of an education certificate is worthwhile in many cases, as holding a recognised professional qualification improves your prospects in the employment market.

Specialist Advice Centres in Bavaria

If you have any questions about the subject of Recognition, you can ask a specialist advice centre for advice! Bavaria has many advice centres with trained professionals who can help you. The association Tür an Tür [next door] in Augsburg, the Handwerkskammer [Trade Association] in Munich or many employment agencies will be happy to answer your questions.

Here you can find a selection of advisory services that can support you with seeking recognition of your education certificates from other countries.

Advice Centres

Augsburg Tür an Tür
Würzburg IHK Advice Centres

Professional advice centres in North Rhine-Westphalia

There are many advice centres in North Rhine-Westphalia that can support you with recognition. These external links to advice centres should help you to find a nearby advice centre.

Drop-in Centres

IQ Network Credential Recognition
IQ Recognition Consulting online
Advice Centre Locator NRW
Advice on further training NRW