Detailed description
You can have a training qualification from abroad officially recognized in Germany by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). The procedure for recognition is called: Equivalency assessment (BQFG).
Please note: Your training qualification must be state-recognized in the country where you are training. Informal or non-formal qualifications cannot be officially recognized in Germany.
When determining equivalence, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) compares your training qualification with a specific German training qualification. The German training qualification must match your training qualification. Important criteria in the comparison are the content and duration of the training.
You will be notified of the outcome of the process. The notification lists existing and possibly still missing professional qualifications.
The notification makes your foreign training qualification transparent for the employing company and thus increases your chances on the job market. For skilled workers abroad outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, a recognition procedure is usually a prerequisite for the issuance of a visa.
There are around 350 different training qualifications in the area of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in Germany. You can find a list of training qualifications, for example, on the IHK FOSA website. To apply for equivalency assessment, you must provide proof of a German qualification. This German training qualification must match your training qualification. That is why it is important to get detailed advice before making an application.
You can get individual initial advice on the application, procedure, costs and duration as well as financial support options from the local chambers of industry and commerce (IHK). The advice centers of the network IQ (“Integration through Qualification”), the labor administration and other municipal offices provide information on the recognition of foreign qualifications.
You can also apply for equivalence assessment from abroad.
With degrees from Austria and France, there is the possibility of a simplified assessment of equivalence, as there are special agreements with these countries. To do this, you must contact your local Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
A notice:
As an employer in Germany, you can apply for an accelerated procedure for skilled workers from third countries. You apply for the procedure with the power of attorney of the specialist at the responsible foreigners authority at your company headquarters in Germany. In this accelerated skilled worker process, among other things, the determination of equivalence at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce is accelerated. Additional fees apply for the accelerated specialist procedure.