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Academic qualifications

Did you successfully graduate from university abroad? Find out whether your academic degree corresponds with the German standards.

If you have a foreign academic qualification and want to work in a regulated profession (e.g. as a doctor or lawyer) in Germany, you need to have your foreign academic qualification recognised. In our sections “Who needs recognition” and “Recognition procedure”, you will find detailed information on this matter.

You do not need the recognition certificate if you want to work in an academic, non-regulated profession, such as computer scientist, mathematician or economist. If you wish to emigrate from a third country in order to work in Germany, and you require a work visa, such as the EU Blue Card, you must provide proof of your foreign academic qualification being comparable to a German academic qualification. To provide such proof, you can choose one of the following options.

Positive results in the anabin database

The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) operates the anabin database, which provides information on the evaluation of foreign educational qualifications and universities. The database is currently available in German. 

Instructions for using the anabin database

This guide explains step by step how to use the anabin database.

Explainer video: Compare academic qualifications via anabin

Statement of Comparability

The Statement of Comparability is an official document which describes your foreign academic qualifications and indicates the level of the German academic qualification to which your foreign qualification is comparable. The individual statement can be requested from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) in Bonn. You must request an individual Statement of Comparability if your university is listed in the anabin database as "H+", but your degree in particular is not listed.

An individual Statement of Comparability can be helpful. It is advantageous when applying for a job, changing jobs, or negotiating salary. With a statement in the German language, employers can better classify the foreign academic qualification. The Statement of Comparability can also be used when applying for a visa.

Information concerning the evaluation procedure, including a list of required documents and costs, can be found here. For further questions concerning the evaluation, please contact the Central Office of Foreign Education (ZAB) (email: zabservice@kmk.org).

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Please note that the processing time can be up to three months, if you have provided all the necessary documents. If you apply for an evaluation in order to receive an EU Blue Card, the processing time will take two weeks. Please attach a copy of your work contract in this case.

Do you have any questions?

Let us advise you on your opportunities to work and live in Germany. Our experts will support you with questions regarding job search, visa, recognition and learning German. 

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