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Recognition of foreign qualifications in Germany

Last checked: 2026-09-16

Quick answer

Recognition is the official comparison of a foreign professional qualification with the relevant German qualification. Whether you need it depends on the profession and the immigration route.

For a regulated profession, recognition or professional authorisation is normally legally required. Examples include many healthcare professions, teaching and other occupations protected by law.

Regulated and non-regulated professions

Regulated profession

You cannot simply start practising based only on a foreign certificate. The competent authority checks your training and other legal requirements. A professional licence may be required.

Non-regulated profession

Formal recognition may not always be legally required to perform the job. It can still matter for a visa, an employer or proof of your qualification. Some immigration routes use different forms of qualification evidence.

How the procedure works

  1. Identify the correct German reference occupation.
  2. Use the official Recognition Finder to locate the competent authority.
  3. Check the required documents and translations.
  4. Submit a complete application.
  5. The authority compares your qualification with the German reference qualification.
  6. You receive a decision explaining equivalence or substantial differences.

The federal portal says the responsible authority generally assesses the documents within three to four months after all documents have been submitted. This is not a guarantee for every case.

Important distinction

Professional recognition, academic-degree comparability and permission to practise are not always the same document. Follow the result for your exact profession and visa route.

Official sources