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Immigration · Qualifications

Getting a foreign qualification recognised

For regulated professions, recognition is not paperwork you tidy up later. It is the thing that decides whether you can work at all.

Reviewed · Last updated August 2026

6 min read

Einfach Germany editorial team

Quick answer

Regulated professions — medicine, nursing, teaching, law and others — require formal recognition before you may practise. Non-regulated professions do not, though an assessment still helps employers. The Recognition in Germany portal identifies the responsible body for your profession, and anabin shows how your institution and degree are assessed.

Important

Immigration rules can depend on your nationality, qualification, employment, family circumstances and current law. Verify requirements with the relevant German authority or mission before you apply or pay anything.

1. Regulated or not: the first question

In a regulated profession you may not work under the professional title without recognition. In a non-regulated one you may apply for jobs immediately, and recognition is optional but useful for demonstrating what your qualification is worth.

Whether your profession is regulated is a factual question with a definite answer, and the Recognition in Germany portal answers it.

2. Who decides, and what they want

Responsibility is spread across chambers, state authorities and professional bodies, and it depends on the profession and the federal state. The portal names the competent body for your combination.

Expect to provide certified translations, transcripts and evidence of practical experience. Where the assessment finds partial equivalence, an adaptation course or examination may bridge the gap.

Good to know

Start before you move if you can. Recognition frequently takes months, and beginning it from abroad turns dead waiting time into progress.

3. anabin, for academic qualifications

anabin is the official database maintained by the Central Office for Foreign Education. It shows how German authorities assess foreign institutions and qualifications, and it is what visa and university staff consult.

It is in German and takes a little navigating, but it is the primary source. We do not reproduce its contents here: it changes, and an out-of-date copy would be worse than a link.

4. Frequently asked questions

Only for regulated professions. In other fields you can apply for work directly, though an assessment can still help an employer understand your qualification.

Often several months, and longer if documents have to be obtained or translated. Starting from abroad is usually worthwhile.

Official information

Rules and amounts change. Always verify current requirements using official sources.

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Einfach Germany is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with the German government.