Recognition procedure How does the recognition procedure work? During the recognition procedure, the competent authority checks whether your qualification is equivalent to the German reference occupation. The recognition process determines the comparability of your qualification. Recognition is not always required - it depends on your profession and your qualification. In the section “ Who needs recognition? ”, you can find out whether the process applies to you. How does the recognition procedure work in Germany? During the recognition procedure , the respective competent authority in Germany checks whether your foreign qualification is equivalent to a German one or whether there are substantial differences. The procedure is also known as “equivalence assessment” ( Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung ). The competent authority assesses, generally within three to four months, your documents as soon as they have all been submitted. To find out exactly how the recognition procedure works and where you can get specific information about your profession in Germany, please use the Recognition Finder (External link) in the skilled-worker section of the “Anerkennung in Deutschland” portal. There you have the option to immediately start finning in your online application, if available. On the “ Anerkennung in Deutschland (External link) ” portal, you will also learn how the digital application process works and what you need to consider when filling out the application. Result of the recognition

Who needs recognition? Do I need recognition? Depending on your country of origin, profession and desired residence title, the recognition of your foreign qualification may be necessary. Find more detailed information below. Regulated professions You can only work in regulated professions in Germany if you have a very specific qualification. This, for example, applies to many professions in the fields of health care, legal advice, and teaching in state schools. There are also regulations for certain master craftworkers who run a business. In engineering professions, there is a regulation if the professional title of “engineer” is required for the occupation. To find out whether your profession is regulated in Germany, please use the Recognition Finder of “ Anerkennung in Deutschland (External link) ”. If you wish to work in one of these regulated professions in full capacity, your will generally require the recognition of your foreign qualification, regardless of your country of origin. For non-EU nationals, the full recognition is also a requirement for certain residence titles, such as the visa for qualified professionals or for most cases of the EU Blue Card . Moreover, no points must be scored for the opportunity card if the full recognition has been acquired. The recognition occurs in the framework of a so-called recognition procedure ; you will find detailed information on this in our “ Recognition procedure " section. In regulated professions, a licence to practise is

Work contract If you successfully applied for a job, the employment contract regulates the basic conditions of your future employment relationship. Find out what you need to pay attention to. In Germany, a written employment contract is the standard. It should contain information such as salary and holiday entitlement. Carefully read the contract before signing it. If there is something you do not understand, there is no need to fret: ask the HR department or the company's human resources manager. Make sure that all information is correct. What your employment contract should include Your employment contract must include the following information: Name and address of the employer and the employee. Inception of the contract: date on which you start as an employee of the company (i.e. when does the contract’s validity commence?). Time limit: is your contract limited to a certain period of time? If it is, when does the contract end? Probation period: how long is the probation period? This is the period in which you or the company can terminate the contract on short notice. Place of work: where are you going to work? If you will be working in different locations, it should be stated in the contract. Job description: what will your tasks in the company entail? Remuneration (salary): how much money will you earn for your work? Are there any additional allowances or bonuses, for example on Christmas or for working on weekends? When does the company pay your salary – at the end or at

Preparation and consultation Good preparation is the be-all and end-all, if you want your business plans to become successful. Here, you will learn what types of new businesses there are and who can advise and support you. Advisory services Types of new businesses The business plan Financing & funding programmes

Setting up a business How do I start my own company in Germany? Here you can find information and help that will facilitate the realization of your business plans. 5 reasons Visa for a business start-up Professional requirements for founding Preparation and consultation 5 steps for starting a business

Recognition Did you already graduate from university or completed vocational training? Find out here if you must have your qualifications recognised in Germany. Who needs recognition? Recognition procedure Evaluation of foreign academic degrees State recognition in the country of training

Visa for a business start-up Would you like to bringe your business idea about in Germany? Then you might need a visa to realise your plan. Read more about the requirements and options here. Do I need a visa? Visa for self-employed business Visa for freelance business

Working environment Are you curious about the world of work in Germany? Learn more about employment contracts, periods of notice, holidays or income taxes. Work contract Salary, taxes & social security

Research Would you like to do research in Germany? Here you will find out how to start your career in research in Germany in five steps. Working in Germany as a researcher The Federal Republic of Germany is one of the most attractive countries in the world for researchers. With the freedom of science guaranteed by the constitution, excellent research infrastructures, good working conditions and career prospects, Germany offers you many opportunities to advance your career in science or in the economic sector. Germany also aims to offer prospects to scientists who do not have the possibility to work freely in their home country. Employment at a university or a non-academic research institution Of course, you can also apply for a job position at a German higher education or non-academic research institution. Many universities, as well as universities of applied sciences, are looking for international recruits. You can also combine a job as a research assistant with a doctoral thesis. Non-academic research institutions often have an international focus and offer both jobs and scholarships. Guest lectureship at a university As a guest lecturer, you can carry out teaching and research activities at German higher education institutions for a limited period of time. A guest lectureship has advantages for everyone: the students benefit from your expertise and intercultural perspective, while you, in turn, gain useful experience at a German university as well as professional and

Information for EU citizens If you are a citizen of an EU Member State, you can enter Germany without a visa, thanks to the freedom of movement. Find out here what you need to have to consider nonetheless. On this page On this page Entry and residence: this applies to EU citizens Access to the labour market and job search in Germany Requirements and funding for academic studies in Germany Entry and residence: this applies to EU citizens Are you a citizen of an EU member state planning to seek employment, study or complete vocational training in Germany? Thanks to the freedom of movement , you can travel to Germany without a visa or a residence permit and stay here for a period of three months. The only documents you will need for entering the country are either a valid passport or an ID card. There are no restrictions regarding access to employment and self-employment in Germany for you or your family. The same applies if you are a citizen of Switzerland or the European Economic Area – i.e. Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland. Right to permanent residency As an EU citizen, you automatically receive the right to permanent residence in another EU country after an uninterrupted legal residence of at least 5 years in that country. You can have this confirmed by requesting the issuance of a permanent residence card. This card can be useful when dealing with the authorities. Additional information on the subject of “permanent residence for EU nationals” can be found here (External