Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Service Center

Getting foreign vocational qualifications in non-craft professions recognized

Do you have a non-craft-related vocational qualification from abroad? Here you can find out where you can apply for recognition of your qualification.

Detailed description

You can have a non-craft-related vocational qualification from abroad officially recognized by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK).


This procedure is called "determination of equivalence".



Your educational qualification must be officially recognized in the country where you completed your training.



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.



For qualifications from Austria and France, there is the possibility of a simplified determination of equivalence, as special agreements exist with these countries.



Further information can be found in the "Links" section.

 

Information

Prerequisites

Detailed information about the requirements can be found in the "Links" section.

Documents required

Detailed information about the required documents can be found in the "Links" section.

Please note

Detailed information can be found in the "Links" section.

Deadlines

Detailed information about the deadlines can be found in the "Links" section.

Procedure

Detailed information about the procedure can be found in the "Links" section.

Processing time

Detailed information can be found in the "Links" section.

Fees

Detailed information about the costs can be found in the "Links" section.

Legal remedies

Not applicable

Legal basis

For the standard procedure:


§ 50a Vocational Training Act (BBiG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bbig_2005/__50a.html


Sections 2-7, Section 8 Paragraph 1 No. 1 of the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BQFG)


http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bqfg/__2.html




For the accelerated procedure for skilled workers:


§ 81a Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__81a.html


§ 50a Vocational Training Act


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bbig_2005/__50a.html


Sections 2-7, Section 8 Paragraph 1 No. 1, Section 14a of the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BQFG)


http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bqfg/__2.html

Links on hamburg.de

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Service Center

Mon-Thu 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (by phone: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-2 p.m.).

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Keywords: training Foreign qualification Equivalency assessment Professional Recognition Policy Recognition in Germany Determination of equivalence adaptation course foreign degree foreign profession training degree professional qualification Professional Qualifications Assessment Act professional access Qualifying Examination third country professional advanced training degree nostrification Occupation

Last updated: 16.04.2026