But how can skilled workers from abroad have their professional qualifications recognized in Germany, and what should they look out for?
Turkey and Ukraine lead in recognized professional qualifications
According to the Federal Statistical Office, qualifications from Turkey (9,200) and Ukraine (6,400) were recognized particularly frequently in 2024. While Turkey remained in first place as in the previous year, Ukraine moved up to second place - the number of recognitions more than doubled.
Degrees from Tunisia (5,300), India (4,900) and Syria (4,300) were also strongly represented. In contrast, fewer qualifications from Bosnia and Herzegovina (4,000) and the Philippines (3,600) were recognized.
Nursing professions in particularly high demand in Germany
By far the most frequently recognized profession was nursing specialist. Around 32,500 recognitions were awarded in this field in 2024 - this corresponds to 41 percent of all procedures.
The other places are taken by:
- Doctors: 11,000
- Engineer:inside: 4,400
- Teachers: 2,800
- Physiotherapists: 2,200
The number of recognized educators also increased significantly. Of all positively approved applications, 59 percent were from women and 41 percent from men. It is striking that 87% of the recognitions concerned qualifications from third countries outside the European Economic Area.
Record figures positive for labor market
A total of around 95,500 recognition procedures were received in 2024 - more than ever before. Of these, 82,000 procedures were completed, 97% of which were positive.
Experts see the rising figures as an important signal for the German labor market. In the next 15 years, around a third of the workforce will retire. Without qualified immigration, there is a risk of gaps in important sectors - particularly in care and healthcare.
Who can apply for recognition?
In principle, anyone with a professional qualification obtained abroad can apply for recognition of their qualification - regardless of nationality or Residence permit. The prerequisite is that you want to work in this profession again in Germany.
It is also important that you can prove your qualification with a degree certificate. Residence in Germany and German citizenship are not a prerequisite for the recognition procedure.
To which professions does the Recognition Act apply?
A recognition procedure is often necessary so that foreign skilled workers can use the professional qualifications they acquired in their home country in Germany.
The basis is the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act. It applies nationwide for professions under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
- In total for over 600 professions under federal responsibility, including dual training professions and many regulated professions (e.g. doctors, pharmacists, nurses).
- Professions regulated by state law, such as teachers, engineers or educators, are subject to the laws of the respective federal states.
- University degrees in non-regulated professions (e.g. biology, linguistics) as well as school-leaving qualifications and academic achievements are also not included.
How does the procedure work?
The procedure is divided into several steps:
- Advice: This step is not mandatory, but is recommended by official bodies. A consultation provides all the essential information on the recognition procedure and informs applicants in advance whether financial support is possible.
- Application: First of all, those affected must submit an application to the competent authority. Which authority is responsible depends on the profession in question - for example, the state medical association for doctors or the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for many training professions.
- Examination of documents: Among other things, training and work certificates, proof of the duration of training and, if necessary, translations by sworn translators are required.
- Equivalency test: Experts check whether the qualification is comparable to the German qualification. If the qualification is not equivalent, compensatory measures (e.g. adaptation courses or examinations) may be required.
- Notification: At the end of the process, a notification of recognition is issued - either with full equivalence or with conditions.
Depending on the profession and federal state, the processing time can take several months - depending on the responsible authority. With the accelerated skilled worker procedure, employers and applicants can go through the process much faster.
- Duration: usually 3-4 months, longer for complex procedures.
- Costs: 100-600 euros plus translation costs.
- Support: e.g. via the recognition grant from the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS).
