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Route · Finish your recognition in Germany
Recognition in Germany
German: Anerkennung · Section 16d Residence Act · Section 16d Residence Act
Your qualification from home can be compared with the German one. If a part is missing, German law has residence permits that let you come and close the gap with a course, an exam or a job.
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No-obligation introductory call · Information last updated: November 2026
Usually A2 (basic German)
Up to 24 months for a course
Up to 3 years
Depends on the way
In short
- 01
Recognition means a German office compares your qualification with the German one. The result is full, partial or no equivalence.
- 02
If something is missing, there are several permits: an adaptation course or exam, a recognition partnership with a job, an exam only, or a skills analysis.
- 03
Some jobs, such as nursing or medicine, need a licence from the state. Most other jobs do not.
General information to help you get oriented. For your own case the German authorities decide, and we are happy to talk it through with you.
01
What it is
Recognition (German: Anerkennung) is an official check. A German office compares your foreign vocational training or degree with the German one. If the two are equal, you get a notice of full equivalence. If they are mostly equal, you get a partial notice that says what is missing.
Section 16d of the Residence Act (AufenthG) gives residence permits for exactly this situation. You can come to Germany to do a course, to take an exam, to have your skills checked, or to work while the recognition runs. This page explains the ways and the usual conditions.
02
Who it is for
A good fit if you
- have a vocational qualification or a university degree from your home country
- got a partial recognition notice, or expect that something is missing
- work in, or want to work in, a profession where a German licence is needed, such as nursing
- can show basic German, usually level A2, and a way to pay for your stay
You do not need to tick every box today. Many people start by finding out which parts they still need.
Another route may suit you better
- Your qualification is already fully recognisedUsually the skilled worker visa is the route to look at.
- You want to look for a job firstThe Opportunity Card lets you search in Germany.
- You have no formal qualificationVocational training (Ausbildung) may be a better start.
Not sure this is your route?Compare the route guides and see which one fits your situation.
See all routes03
When it fits best
You received a notice that a course or an exam is needed to reach full equivalence.
Your profession needs a state licence in Germany, for example nursing or medicine.
You have a job offer and want to finish the recognition while you work.
04
Conditions
There is no single permit. Section 16d has several, and each one fits a different situation. The usual basics are a valid passport, health insurance and enough money to live on. Language is usually at least basic German. The law says "sufficient" German, which is generally understood as level A2.
Adaptation course or measure
- A German office has found that a measure is needed: an adaptation course, a compensation measure or further qualification
- The measure must be suited to lead to recognition or to the licence
- Usually German at the level needed, generally at least A2
- Permit of up to 24 months, extendable by up to 12 months, with a total of 3 years at most
- You can work up to 20 hours a week in a job that is separate from the measureMore work is possible if it matches the later job and the Federal Employment Agency agrees
- If the measure is mostly in a company, the Federal Employment Agency usually has to agree
Section 16d(1) Residence Act (AufenthG)
Recognition partnership
- A state-recognised qualification of at least 2 years of training, or a state-recognised university degreeA German body confirms this
- A concrete job offer
- A written agreement with the employer: you start the recognition procedure in Germany without delay, and the employer lets you attend the courses that are required
- An employer who is suitable for training or further qualification
- German that fits the job, at least basic German (generally A2)
- The Federal Employment Agency usually has to agree
- Permit for up to one year at first, extendable to 3 years at mostWork is allowed in the agreed job, plus a side job of up to 20 hours a week
Section 16d(3) Residence Act (AufenthG)
Exam only
- You come to take the exam for recognition
- German that matches the exam, at least basic German (generally A2), unless the exam itself tests your German
- This permit does not allow work
Section 16d(5) Residence Act (AufenthG)
Skills analysis
- The responsible office has decided that a skills analysis is possible and has agreed to carry it out
- German that matches the analysis, at least basic German (generally A2)
- Permit of up to 6 months
- If measures follow, you can continue under Way 1 or Way 2; the 6 months do not count towards the 3-year maximum
Section 16d(6) Residence Act (AufenthG)
Possible results of a recognition procedureFederal law BQFG
| Full equivalenceno essential differences | Full |
|---|---|
| Partial equivalenceessential differences remain; a course or exam can close them | Partial |
| No equivalencedifferences cannot be closed by a measure | None |
In non-regulated jobs such as many trades or office jobs, you may work even without recognition. In regulated jobs such as nursing or medicine, you need the licence.
05
Steps and timing
- 01
Find the competent office
You · about 1 day
The Recognition Finder on anerkennung-in-deutschland.de shows which office checks your profession and region.
- 02
Submit your recognition application
You + competent office · varies by office
You can often apply from abroad. The office lists the documents it needs and may ask for translations.
- 03
Receive the notice
Competent office · often several weeks to months
The notice says: full, partial or no equivalence. A partial notice lists what is missing.
- 04
Choose your way
You + office or employer · varies
Often you can choose between an adaptation course and an exam. Some professions allow only one of them.
- 05
Apply for the right permit
You + German mission · waiting time varies
Book your appointment early. Which permit you need depends on the way you choose.
Finish the measure
You + training provider or employer · up to 24 months for a course
Do the course, take the exam or work in the agreed job. Then you can ask for the final recognition or the licence.
Time before you travelVaries by profession and country
Talk to our team06
Documents
- Passportvalid for the whole stay
- Biometric photos
- Application form and CV
- Diploma, transcript and training certificatewith translations if the office asks
- Recognition notice, if you already have one
- Proof of work experiencecan help to close differences
- Proof of the course, exam or analysis: place, date and cost
- Certificate of German, usually A2 or higher
- Proof of money, for example a blocked account
- Job offer or work contract
- Written agreement between you and the employer
- Confirmation of your qualification by a German bodyfor example ZAB
Your certificates need the right stamps. An apostille (an official confirmation stamp) or legalisation by the German mission: it depends on the country that issued them. See the rules for your country
07
Life in Germany
24 months
first permit for a course or measure
20 h
side job a week in most ways
Up to 3 years
longest stay in a measure or partnership
1 year
first permit in a recognition partnership
08
Costs
| Visa feenational visa, paid at the German mission | € 75 |
|---|---|
| Residence permit in Germanyfirst permit | € 100 |
| Recognition procedureset by the competent office | varies |
| Course or exampaid to the provider | varies |
| Living costs in Germanyshown with a blocked account or other proof | see mission |
|---|
Official fees as of November 2026. They can change. Fees for recognition and for courses differ by office, profession and provider.
09
Your future in Germany
After full recognition, you can work as a skilled person. The time each step takes depends on your situation and on the law at that time.
- 01With recognition
Skilled worker permit
Usually the skilled worker visa or permit for your qualified job.
- 02After some years of skilled work
Permanent residence
Usually possible after several years of work with the right permit.
- 03Later
Family and citizenship
Family reunion is generally possible with a work permit. Citizenship usually after 5 years of legal residence.
10
Tips for a strong application
- Start the recognition early. The notice shapes everything that comes next.
- Ask for the list of missing parts. A partial notice says exactly what to learn. Plan the course or exam around it.
- Keep your German growing. A2 opens the permit, higher levels open jobs and make exams easier.
- Keep copies and translations ready. Clear, complete files are easier to decide.
11
Questions
In a regulated job, such as nursing or medicine, you need a state licence to work or to use the title. In a non-regulated job, such as many trades or office jobs, you can generally work without recognition, but recognition still helps with the permit and the salary.
Not always. Some people start the procedure from abroad. In a recognition partnership you start it in Germany, without delay after arriving. The exact order depends on the way and on the office.
Generally yes, up to 20 hours a week in a job separate from the course. More work is possible if the job matches your later profession and the Federal Employment Agency agrees.
Then a course or exam usually cannot close the gap. Other ways exist, such as vocational training or a different route with your skills. Read the notice carefully and ask the office what is possible.
The rules for family members depend on your permit. Family reunion guide
For health and care jobs, only the Federal Employment Agency may recruit and place workers from certain countries (Section 38 Employment Ordinance). Check the current country list. We can only give you general information on this route.
In a course or a recognition partnership, the maximum is generally 3 years. A skills analysis is up to 6 months and does not count towards those 3 years.
Words on this page
- Recognition (Anerkennung)
- A German office compares your qualification with the German one.
- Regulated profession
- A job where you need a state licence or title, for example nursing or medicine.
- Adaptation course
- A training period that closes the gap named in a partial recognition notice.
- Skills analysis (Qualifikationsanalyse)
- A practical test of your skills, used when documents are missing.
- BQFG
- The federal law on recognition of foreign vocational qualifications.
Routes to Germany
Related routes
Skilled worker visa
Work in Germany with recognition and a job offer.
Skilled worker visa: Read the guide
About DastN
Placement and relocation from Berlin
DastN GmbH is a placement and relocation company in Berlin. We connect skilled people with employers in Germany and help with the steps on the way.
DastN GmbH
Kurfürstendamm 194, 10707 Berlin
HRB 230821 B
Founded in Berlin in 2021
Sources
- Residence Act (AufenthG), Section 16d, gesetze-im-internet.de
- Federal Recognition Act (BQFG), gesetze-im-internet.de
- Residence Ordinance (AufenthV), Sections 45 and 46: fees
- Recognition in Germany (Federal Government portal) with Recognition Finder
- Make it in Germany: Recognition of qualifications
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