For many qualifications, it is helpful to have them recognised. For others, it is an actual requirement for being able to work in Germany. That depends on what your profession is:   

• Who needs recognition? In Germany, certain professions are "regulated”. Germans and foreign nationals may only work in these professions if they have a very precise qualification. This applies to professions such as doctors and lawyers. It also applies to masters of manual trades if they work as independent contractors. If you want to work in one of these regulated professions, you need to have your professional qualification recognised in Germany.  

• For whom is recognition helpful? Most professions are not regulated. For example, to work as a business manager, IT specialist or baker, you do not need any specific professional qualification. For this reason, you are not obliged to have your qualification recognised in Germany. However, it can still help – even in cases where the qualification is only equivalent in part. That way, companies can see what you are able to do from your application – and you make a good impression during the application procedure.  

Please note, however: The recognition of a foreign vocational qualification does not automatically permit you to take up employment in Germany. Certain requirements must be met to obtain a residence permit that allows you to work in Germany. The Quick Check lets you assess your prospects for working and living in Germany.     

• Step 1: Find out who provides recognition. Start by finding out which authority or professional association you have to apply to. That depends first and foremost on the profession and where you work. For example, for certain professions, the chambers of trade and industry (Industrie- und Handelskammern, IHK) or trade corporations (Handwerkskammern, HWK) are responsible. The quickest way to find out who you should contact is to use the “Recognition Finder” at anerkennung-in-deutschland.de (in German and English)

• Step 2: Advice. Talk with your local contact centre before applying. It will give you the necessary forms to fill in and help you to define which German reference profession applies to you. It will also tell you which documents you need for your application. Are you uncertain about which contact centre is responsible for you? Do you want to find out more about the application process? You will find full information about procedures for getting professional qualifications recognised as well as advice on further topics at http://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/en/index.php. You can also obtain an initial consultation by phone from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The hotline is available Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following number: +49 30-1815-1111. The consultation will provide you with initial information – in German or English – concerning the recognition of foreign vocational qualifications in Germany.

• Step 3: Prepare your application documents. Ask your local contact centre which documents you need to have translated. Fill in the application forms and send everything to your local contact centre. Your local contact centre will compare your foreign professional qualification with a German reference profession. At the same time, it will check whether there are any major differences between your professional qualification and the German one. Professional experience you have acquired can also be taken into account.  

• Step 4: Receive notification. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a notification from your local contact centre. This written notification will tell you whether your foreign professional qualification is equivalent or similar to the German qualification. If the authority has not found any equivalence, and if the application concerns a regulated profession, then you will be informed of concrete measures you can take to compensate for the differences. In the case of professions that are not regulated, the notification will state the qualifications that do exist, as well as the differences between your professional qualification and the German reference qualification; this will help you and potential employers to properly gauge your qualification.