Professional recognition
In order to work in Germany, foreign professionals in certain occupations must have their professional or university qualifications recognized. This involves checking whether the qualification obtained abroad is equivalent to a corresponding German occupation.
Recognition is mandatory for so-called regulated professions, such as doctors, engineers, or teachers. In some cases, these professions also require professional licensure, which in turn requires a certain level of proficiency in the German language. For other, non-regulated professions, recognition is voluntary. If skilled workers from third countries wish to come to Germany to work, professional recognition is often a prerequisite for entry.
In order to have their professional qualifications recognized, skilled workers must go through a recognition procedure. This begins with the submission of an application to the authority responsible for the profession and ends with a decision on full, partial, or no equivalence. Recognition is applied for a specific German reference profession.
Even if recognition is not necessary for certain professions, the procedure is still worthwhile. For example, the certificate or recognition notice enables employers to assess the skills and knowledge of the skilled worker more confidently at a later stage.
The regional advisors at the WelcomeCenter Saxony-Anhalt provide initial advice during the process and can explain the recognition procedure in your specific case. The IQ Network Saxony-Anhalt provides in-depth advice on professional recognition. All evidence for the recognition procedure is compiled.
For skilled workers who are still abroad and would like to submit an application for recognition from there, the Central Service Agency for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) is the first point of contact.
Further information on the recognition procedure and the relevant legal basis can be found in our information center.