Many African newcomers arrive in Germany with a degree, a nursing diploma or years of training, and then hear: “Your qualification needs to be recognised.” It sounds like a wall of paperwork. It is a process, and it is manageable once you know the steps.
What Is Anerkennung?
Anerkennung means recognition. The German authorities compare your foreign qualification with the German one for the same profession. If there are no major differences, your qualification is recognised as equivalent, and you get the same professional rights as someone trained in Germany.
Do You Actually Need It?
It depends on your profession:
- Regulated professions (for example doctors, nurses, teachers, pharmacists, lawyers, engineers in some states) require recognition before you can work in them.
- Non-regulated professions (for example many office, IT and business jobs) do not need recognition to start working. It can still help with employers and salary.
- If you are applying for a visa from outside the EU, recognition or a degree evaluation can be needed for your EU Blue Card or other skilled-worker route.
Two Different Things
Professional recognition
This is the full comparison of your training with the German profession. It is done by the competent authority for your job and region.
Degree evaluation (Zeugnisbewertung)
For university degrees, the ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education) issues a statement that explains how your degree compares with a German one, for example Bachelor or Master level. According to the official recognition portal it usually takes up to three months once your documents are complete, and the fee is a modest amount. You can also check your university in the free anabin database.
How the Process Works
- Find your office. Use the “Recognition Finder” on the official portal Anerkennung in Deutschland. It tells you which authority is responsible for your profession and city. You can apply from abroad.
- Collect your documents (see the list below).
- Submit your application online or by post, and pay the fee.
- Wait. The portal says the procedure usually takes 3 to 4 months once the file is complete.
- Receive your decision. It can be full recognition, partial recognition, a requirement for a compensation measure, or a refusal.
What if It Is Only Partly Recognised?
This is common, and it is not the end. For regulated professions you may be asked to take an adaptation course or an exam to close the gap, for example a knowledge test for nurses or doctors. After you pass, you are recognised and can apply for your licence to practise.
Documents You Will Usually Need
- Passport or ID
- CV in a table format
- Degree or diploma certificates and the transcript of grades
- Proof of professional experience (employer letters)
- Certified translations into German by a sworn translator
- Proof of your German language level, where your profession requires it
Your exact list depends on the office, so check it in the Recognition Finder before you start copying.
What Does It Cost?
The official portal says a recognition procedure can cost several hundred euros, and translations and certifications add to that. There is financial help: for example from the Federal Employment Agency, the federal recognition grant (Anerkennungszuschuss) and some state programmes. Ask for advice before you pay for everything yourself.
Tips for African Applicants
- Get certified copies early. Collecting documents from home universities can take weeks, so ask family or the registrar to help.
- Keep every original and send certified copies only.
- Use free advice. The “Recognition Counselling” centres in many cities help you with the forms at no cost.
- Work while you wait. Many people take a job in a related, non-regulated role while recognition is processed. See our guide on job hunting in Germany.
- Looking for work first? The Opportunity Card is another route to Germany for qualified people.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Procedures, fees and processing times differ by profession and federal state, so always confirm with the competent authority or a recognition counselling centre.