Guide “Paths to recognition” 

For people who have completed their education abroad, a recognition process is often necessary before they are allowed to work in their profession in Germany. This process can seem complex at first glance - but with good preparation, patience and the right information, it can easily be managed. 

In the guide “Paths to recognition”, we answer the most important questions about the recognition procedure in Germany.

#2 How to apply for recognition?

The recognition process is a crucial step for working in your trained profession in Germany - especially if it is a regulated one, such as in the healthcare sector. Recognition of foreign professional qualifications follows a clearly structured procedure. The goal is to determine whether your education is equivalent to the corresponding German profession (known as the “reference profession” or Referenzberuf).

So how does the recognition process work in practice? This article outlines the key steps in the process.

Step 1: Find the reference profession and responsible authority

In Germany, your qualification can only be recognized for one specific profession. To find out which German reference profession matches your qualification - and which authority is responsible for recognition - use the Recognition Finder on the official information portal of the Federal Government:

www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de

Step 2: Apply and submit the required documents

The application for recognition is submitted to the competent registration, a number of supporting documents. These usually need to be submitted in their original language and as certified German translations.

The documents that need to be submitted for the recognition procedure depend on the reference profession and the country of origin. An overview can be found on the website of the competent registration authority.

Always required:

• Completed application form (with specification for equivalence assessment, if needed)
• Valid proof of identity (e.g. passport)
• Complete curriculum vitae
• Degree certificate including transcript or content description

Often required: 

• Proof of professional experience and additional qualifications
• Declaration of previous recognition applications (if applicable)
• Proof of intent to work in Germany (e.g. job offer, rejection letters)

Required depending on the profession (e.g. healthcare professions):

• Medical certificate of health suitability
• Police clearance certificate 
• Proof of personal suitability
• Proof of German language skills (often B1 or B2 level)
• Authorization to practice the profession in the country of education.

Additional documents may be required, especially if information on your training content is missing or unclear.

Important: Naver submit original documents – these are usually not returned. Instead, submit certified copies - including translations, as these are usually expensive.

Step 3: Deadlines and processing time

Once your documents have been fully submitted, the so-called equivalence assessment (Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung) begins. This determines whether your foreign education is essentially comparable to the German counterpart.

The following legal deadlines apply (according to §13 BQFG NRW):

• 1 month: Confirmation of receipt by the authority
• 3 months: Notification of result, starting from the date of complete submission

Note: If documents are missing or further checks are needed, processing times may be extended.

Step 4: Result: The notification of recognition (Anerkennungsbescheid)

After three to four months, you will receive a written notification with one of the following outcomes:

• Full Recognition: Your qualification is deemed equivalent—you can apply for your professional license or certificate (if required).
• Partial recognition: Differences have been identified - a compensatory measure (e.g. adaptation course or knowledge test) is required.
• No recognition: If equivalence is denied and no compensatory options are available, the reasons will be stated in the decision.

Tips for a successful application

Translations
Documents must often be translated by a publicly appointed or sworn translator in Germany. A list of authorized translators can be found on the websites of the state justice administrations. 

Make sure that the translation are made from the original document, and a copy of the original is attached and bound. The translation must include the note: “Translated from the original”.

Certified Copy
Some documents must be submitted as officially certified copies. These can be issued by local authorities (e.g. Bürgeramt) or notaries.

Find out in advance from the competent registration authority which form of documents are required.

Online application
For some professions, recognition can be applied for online. You can check whether this option is available for your reference profession and authority via the Recognition Finder.

Advisory and support services
The recognition process can be complex and lengthy. Fortunately, there are numerous advisory and support services available in Germany to help you. These include:

• The portal www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de offers multilingual information and access to advisory services for international skilled workers. 
• Jobcenters and federal employment agencies n provide financial assistance for translations, preparatory courses, or exams under certain conditions.
• The mibeg institute offer an online information event (in German) on the recognition procedure and various seminars on preparing for the recognition examinations every Tuesday at 9.30 am.

Conclusion: A Clear Path to Professional Recognition

While the process of recognition in Germany can be challenging, it is entirely manageable with the right preparation and support.

Step by step, you are moving closer to your professional goals. Thousands of skilled professionals have already taken this route—now it’s your turn.

With persistence, preparation, and purpose, your future in Germany begins now.