What does professional recognition mean – Nostrification?
A foreign professional qualification is recognized in Germany if it is equivalent to a German qualification. This will be checked when applying for the diploma recognition procedure.
Everyone who obtained a state-recognized professional qualification abroad can apply for recognition. By recognizing the qualification, foreign workers receive the same professional rights as persons with a German professional qualification.
When is the degree recognition required?
Recognition is necessary for foreign skilled workers if they want to work in Germany in a regulated profession. For unregulated professions, recognition of practicing the profession is not mandatory, but it is useful.
How is professional recognition acquired?
In the recognition procedure, the competent body checks the identity of the foreign professional qualification. It compares the training with that of the German reference occupation. The professional qualification is recognized as the same if there are no significant differences based on valid regulations on education or retraining. Work experience and other knowledge and skills are also taken into account. These include e.g. personal abilities and affinities as well as knowledge of the German language.
Submitting a request for degree recognition
KV workers who want to recognize foreign professional qualifications must submit a request to the competent service. This can also be done from abroad, through the representative offices of our SELECTA company. The recognition process usually takes 3 to 4 months. Employers can use the expedited procedure for skilled workers from third countries to shorten the procedure and at the same time clarify immigration issues with the competent service for foreigners.
What results can the recognition process have?
The competent service informs about the result of the recognition procedure, the Decision may read as follows: A foreign professional qualification is recognized if the competent body does not find significant differences in comparison with the German reference profession and thus establishes the sameness. If significant differences are found during the process, then the professional qualification is only partially recognized. In any case, the process of nostrification can continue until the full recognition of foreign qualifications.
In that case, the competent body determines the fund of hours of theoretical and practical classes as a compensatory measure, which can compensate for significant differences. Upon successful completion, full recognition of qualifications follows. A foreign professional qualification will not be recognized if significant differences in relation to the German reference occupation cannot be compensated.
Regulations in the EU
Simplified regulations on recognition apply to certain professional qualifications from the EU/EEA/Switzerland. For the following professions, there is automatic recognition in accordance with the EU directive on professional recognition: doctor, medical specialist, dentist, dental specialist, veterinarian, pharmacist, nurse, midwife, architect.
It is possible to apply for a European professional license for the following occupations: pharmacist, tourist guide, real estate agent, nurse, physiotherapist.
Counseling center – cost sheet
Along with the fees for the recognition procedure (from 600 euros to 1,000 euros, in individual cases and more) there are often additional costs for translations, notarizations, apostilles, as well as all other costs that may arise from the nostrification process. . The Federal Employment Agency offers applicants a federal scholarship from the funding program. If you want to apply for recognition, please contact us. The SELECTA 3 E project offers you additional information and advice.