Guide to recognition in Germany ```

How to Have a Foreign Qualification Recognised in Germany

Did you obtain a school-leaving qualification, vocational qualification or university degree outside Germany and now wish to use it in Germany? This guide explains how to find the competent recognition authority, which documents are commonly required and when you may need certified translations into German.

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Important: dito Beglaubigungen does not carry out recognition procedures and cannot decide whether a foreign qualification will be recognised. We can assist you with the certified translations required for your application.

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Basic information ```

What Does Recognition of a Foreign Qualification Mean?

A recognition or assessment procedure examines how a qualification obtained abroad compares with a German qualification. The appropriate procedure depends on whether you hold a school-leaving qualification, vocational qualification or university degree.

During a professional recognition procedure, the competent authority compares your foreign vocational qualification with the corresponding German reference occupation. The assessment may take account of the duration and content of your training, your professional experience and any additional qualifications.

School-Leaving Qualification

Foreign school-leaving qualifications are usually assessed by the certificate recognition office or another competent authority in the relevant German federal state.

Vocational Qualification

The competent authority depends on the German reference occupation, the intended place of work and whether the profession is regulated in Germany.

University Degree

Depending on the intended use, you may need to check the anabin database or apply for a Statement of Comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education.

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Identify the correct procedure ```

What Type of Qualification Do You Want to Have Recognised?

The term “recognition” is used for several different procedures. Before arranging translations or submitting an application, you should first establish which assessment or recognition procedure applies to your particular qualification and intended purpose.

Foreign School-Leaving Qualification

Recognition of a school-leaving qualification may be required for vocational training, further education or admission to a university in Germany.

School-leaving certificate
Subject and grade overview
Evidence of completed school years
University entrance qualification

Foreign Vocational Qualification

In regulated professions, professional recognition is generally required before you can work in the profession or use the protected professional title in Germany.

Vocational training certificates
Subject and training-hour overviews
Professional licences
Evidence of professional experience

Foreign University Degree

The appropriate procedure for an academic degree depends, among other factors, on whether you intend to work in a regulated or non-regulated profession.

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree certificate
Diploma or degree certificate
Transcript of Records
Diploma Supplement

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The first step ```

How Do You Find the Competent Recognition Authority?

Germany does not have one single authority responsible for the recognition of every foreign qualification. Responsibility depends in particular on the type of qualification, the intended profession, the purpose of the application and, in some cases, the federal state or intended place of work.

For professional recognition procedures, the Recognition Finder provided by the official “Recognition in Germany” portal is an important starting point.

Identify the type of foreign qualification
Select the corresponding German reference occupation
Enter your intended place of work or residence
Find the competent authority and procedure information
Check the authority’s list of required documents

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Understand the differences ```

Professional Recognition or Statement of Comparability?

Not every foreign qualification is assessed using the same procedure. The following overview provides initial guidance.

Qualification or Purpose	Possible Procedure	Typical Contact Point
Regulated profession	Assessment of equivalence and, where applicable, the granting of professional authorisation	The competent chamber, authority or federal-state office, depending on the profession
Non-regulated profession	Formal recognition is not always compulsory. An assessment may nevertheless be useful for employers or public authorities.	For university degrees, anabin or the ZAB may be relevant
Foreign university degree	Database research concerning the university and degree or an individual Statement of Comparability	anabin and the ZAB
Foreign school-leaving qualification	Assessment of comparability with a German school-leaving qualification	The competent certificate recognition office in the relevant German federal state
Application to a German university	Assessment of the university entrance qualification and application documents	The relevant university or, where applicable, uni-assist

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Step by step ```

How the Recognition Process Usually Works

The exact procedure varies depending on the qualification and competent authority. In many cases, however, the following steps provide a useful overview.

Clarify the Intended Purpose

Determine whether you need the qualification for employment, university admission, vocational training, a visa or another official purpose.

Find the Competent Authority

Use official information portals to identify the authority, chamber, university or recognition office responsible for your application.

Obtain the Document List

Ask which originals, copies, translations, certifications and additional supporting documents must be submitted.

Arrange the Translations

Have all requested documents translated completely into German by a translator who meets the authority’s requirements.

Submit the Application

Submit the application form together with all required documents in the prescribed format and within any applicable deadline.

Wait for the Assessment

The competent authority assesses your qualification and may request additional documents or explanations.

Receive the Decision

Depending on the procedure, the result may be full recognition, partial recognition, a formal assessment or a refusal.

Complete Any Additional Measures

If substantial differences are identified, you may be required to complete an examination, adaptation period or additional training.

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Preparing your application ```

Which Documents Are Commonly Required?

The competent authority determines which documents you actually need to submit. Depending on the qualification and procedure, several documents may be required to demonstrate your education, examination results and professional experience.

Qualification Documents

School-leaving certificate
Vocational training certificate
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree certificate
Diploma or university degree certificate
Examination and graduation certificates

Subjects and Academic Results

Subject and grade overviews
Transcript of Records
Diploma Supplement
Training-hour or course overviews
Curricula or training regulations

Personal Documents

Passport or identity document
Evidence of a change of name
Marriage certificate, where relevant
Curriculum vitae
Evidence of residence or intended place of work

Professional Evidence

Employment references
Certificates of professional activity
Professional licences
Further-training certificates
Evidence of professional experience

Additional Documents

Language certificates
Police clearance certificate
Medical certificates
Information on previous applications
Other profession-specific documents

Formal Supporting Documents

Certified copies
Certified translations
Apostille, where required
Legalisation, where required
All stamps, endorsements and annotations

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Documents translated into German ```

When Do You Need a Certified Translation?

Foreign-language educational and professional documents often have to be translated into German for recognition procedures. The competent authority will tell you which documents require translation and what formal requirements apply.

German authorities frequently require translations prepared by translators who are publicly appointed, sworn or authorised in Germany. The completed translation normally includes a certification statement, the translator’s stamp and signature.

Before commissioning a translation, obtain written confirmation of which documents must be translated and whether the authority accepts translations produced in the country of origin.

Submit Documents for Review View Document Types

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Relevant certified translations ```

Have Your Educational Documents Translated for Recognition

Recognition procedures commonly require translations of certificates, degree documents and academic transcripts. The following pages provide more information about the relevant document types.

Certified Translation of a School Certificate For school-leaving qualifications, vocational training, further education or certificate recognition Certified Translation of a University Entrance Qualification For university admission and the assessment of a foreign school-leaving qualification Bachelor’s Degree Certificate and Diploma Certified translation of academic degree documents Master’s Degree Certificate and Diploma Certified translation of Master’s degree documents for authorities, employers and universities Diploma and University Degree Certificate Degree certificates, diplomas and related academic documents Study Certificates and Transcripts of Records Subjects, grades, credits and other evidence of academic achievement Certified Translation of an Apostille Translation of an apostille together with the associated document All Documents for Certified Translation View further certificates, official records and supporting documents

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Formal requirements ```

Certified Translations, Certified Copies and Apostilles

These terms are often confused, but they refer to different procedures and serve different purposes.

Certified Translation

The translator confirms the accuracy and completeness of the translation by means of a certification statement, stamp and signature.

Officially Certified Copy

An authorised body confirms that a copy corresponds to the original document presented. The document itself remains in its original language.

Apostille or Legalisation

These procedures confirm the authenticity of a public document for international use. Whether they are required depends on the issuing country, destination country and intended purpose.

Where possible, arrange for the apostille to be attached before commissioning the translation. If the apostille forms part of the document to be submitted, it will generally also need to be translated.

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Order online ```

How to Obtain Your Certified Translation

To prepare a quote, we initially only require a complete and clearly legible scan or photograph of your documents. Please ensure that all pages, stamps, signatures, reverse sides and attachments are visible.

Upload Your Documents

Send us complete scans or clearly legible photographs of your documents using our online request form.

Review and Quote

We review the language, volume, legibility, stamps, endorsements, apostilles and required format of the translation.

Translation and Certification

After you accept the quote, an appropriately authorised translator prepares and certifies the translation.

Receive Your Translation

Depending on the agreed service, you receive a digital copy in advance and the certified hard copy by post.

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Frequently asked questions ```

Questions About the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

Which authority is responsible for recognising my foreign qualification?

This depends on the type of qualification, the intended profession, the purpose of the application and, in some cases, the federal state or intended place of work. For professional recognition, you can use the Recognition Finder on the official “Recognition in Germany” portal.

Does every foreign qualification have to be formally recognised in Germany?

No. Recognition or professional authorisation is generally required for regulated professions. In non-regulated professions, formal recognition may not be compulsory. However, an assessment may still be useful or required by an employer, authority or visa office.

Do all foreign certificates have to be translated into German?

Not automatically. The competent authority decides which documents and translations are required. You should therefore request a complete document list before commissioning the translations.

Who may translate documents for a German recognition procedure?

German recognition authorities often require translations prepared by publicly appointed, sworn or authorised translators. The precise requirements are set out in the instructions issued by the competent authority.

Can I have my documents translated in my country of origin?

This is not accepted in every procedure. Some authorities only accept translations prepared by certain translators or by translators authorised in Germany. Confirm the requirements with the competent authority before commissioning the translation.

Is a ZAB Statement of Comparability the same as professional recognition?

No. A Statement of Comparability places a foreign university degree within the German education system. An additional professional recognition or authorisation procedure may be necessary if you intend to work in a regulated profession.

Is an anabin database entry sufficient?

This depends on the intended purpose and the requirements of the receiving authority. In some cases, the information in anabin is sufficient. In other cases, an individual Statement of Comparability or a separate recognition procedure may be required.

Do I need an apostille for my certificates?

Not in every case. Whether an apostille or legalisation is required depends on the country of issue, the type of document and the competent authority’s requirements. Obtain confirmation before arranging the apostille.

Do I have to send my original documents to dito Beglaubigungen?

A complete and clearly legible scan or photograph is initially sufficient for the quote and, in many cases, for the translation. The recognition authority decides whether you later need to submit original documents or officially certified copies.

Can dito Beglaubigungen help me submit the recognition application?

dito Beglaubigungen does not carry out recognition procedures and cannot determine which German authority is responsible for your qualification. We can assist you with the certified translations requested by the competent recognition authority.

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Do You Need Certified Translations for Your Recognition Procedure?

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Upload your certificates, degree documents and academic transcripts online. We will review your documents and provide a free, non-binding quote for the required certified translations.

Request a Quote

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