Germany Professional Equivalence Procedures and Equivalence Inquiry
According to the laws determined by the German government, professional qualifications acquired abroad are recognized within the scope of professional equivalence processes. Within the scope of German professional equivalence processes, professional experience acquired by foreign nationals outside Germany can be considered equivalent to qualifications at German educational institutions.
Since 1 April 2012, the possibilities for the recognition of professional qualifications acquired abroad have been improved within the scope of the German Federal Republic’s Equivalence Act. The improvements to the German Equivalence Act include the legal right to request an examination of the equivalence of professional qualifications acquired abroad with the reference German education in the relevant field.
Foreign nationals who want to go to Germany for work purposes can work as qualified personnel in Germany if the professions they specialize in are deemed equivalent to German qualifications.
How to Make an Equivalence Inquiry in Germany?
The official institution that deals with professional equivalence processes in Germany is the Vocational Training Council of the Federal Republic of Germany.
You can check your German equivalence by using the equivalence finder page on the website https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/tr/interest/finder/profession to obtain information about professions in Germany.
Foreign nationals who make a German equivalence inquiry can find the reference profession in Germany for the profession they have. The relevant persons can learn whether their profession is regulated by law and determine whether they necessarily need equivalence.
Is Professional Equivalence Required for Every Profession?
In Germany, equivalence is mandatory for some professions and optional for other professions. The professions for which equivalence is mandatory in Germany vary depending on the person’s country of citizenship and the type of profession.
Depending on the preference, official authorities offer career opportunities to those who have completed the professional equivalence process, and job offers are made for the professions that will be needed according to the city in which they are located.
How to Apply for Professional Equivalence in Germany?
People who want to have their professions in Turkey recognized as professionally equivalent in Germany must find their profession by logging into the website of the Vocational Education Institution of the Federal Republic of Germany. Professions are listed by writing the profession in the box on the professional equivalence finder website. After choosing a profession, the responsibilities and duties related to the relevant profession appear on the next screen. In the next step, certain questions on the site must be answered. The institution from which the person should receive equivalence is determined according to the answers they give to the questions.
To apply for professional equivalence in Germany, you must go to the relevant institution and submit documents such as your professional CV, diplomas, transcripts, professional equivalence application form, a health report proving your suitability for the profession, a letter of intent and a passport.
The documents required for the German professional equivalence application must be translated into German and submitted with a notary approval.
Which Professions Have Equivalence in Germany?
In Germany, people need to have a certain level of expertise and professional competence for professions that have equivalence. In Germany, professional equivalence processes are carried out legally.
Professions with equivalent qualifications in Germany are listed below.
- Germany Doctorate Equivalence Procedures
- Germany Nursing Equivalence Procedures
- Germany Legal Equivalence
- Germany Veterinary Equivalence Procedures
- Germany Teacher Equivalence
- Germany Dentistry Equivalence Procedures
- German Paramedic Equivalence
- German Civil Engineer Equivalence
- German Physiotherapy Equivalence
- German Pharmacy Equivalence
How to Get German Doctoral Equivalence?
The German doctoral equivalence process is carried out by the German Federal Republic Vocational Education Board, which is an official state office. Foreign nationals who have the title of doctor have an indefinite validity for the approval process for the German doctoral equivalence.
Foreign doctors who want to work in hospitals in Germany or open their own clinics are required to have a German doctor’s equivalence. Those who will apply for a doctor’s equivalence in Germany must have received the title of doctor in their own country.
How to Get Dentist Equivalence in Germany?
German dentist equivalence is achieved by applying to the Vocational Education Board of the Federal Republic of Germany. Individuals who have a dentist diploma in their own country and are continuing their careers can apply for dentist equivalence in Germany and have the opportunity to practice their profession in Germany.
German dentist equivalence is a one-time application and is defined as indefinite. Dentists who have been approved for German dentistry equivalence can work in hospitals or their own practices in Germany.
How to Get German Legal Equivalence?
People who are practicing as lawyers in Turkey can work in legal positions in Germany by obtaining lawyer equivalence in Germany. Lawyers who have obtained law equivalence through the Vocational Training Institute of the Federal Republic of Germany can provide legal services to individual clients or companies, associations or institutions.
Foreign nationals who can obtain German law equivalence can receive job offers from the German Law Academy. Individuals who have a diploma in law are given the opportunity to obtain German law equivalence.
How to Get Veterinary Equivalence in Germany?
Foreign nationals who have a veterinary specialization and plan to work in Germany are required to obtain German veterinary equivalence. Foreign veterinarians who can receive official approval from the Vocational Education Board of the Federal Republic of Germany can work in Germany.
People who are experts and qualified in the veterinary profession apply for German veterinary equivalence by submitting documents such as professional resume, diploma, transcript, German language certificate, passport. People whose applications are approved can work in veterinary clinics in Germany as expert veterinarians or can open their own clinics.
How to Get German Teacher Equivalence?
In order for people who have a teacher qualification in their own country to work as teachers in Germany, they must receive German teacher equivalence issued by the Vocational Education and Training Council of the Federal Republic of Germany.
People who can receive German teacher equivalence can work in primary schools, secondary schools and high schools in Germany.
How to Get Nursing Equivalence in Germany?
Foreign nationals who are nurses by profession and who are not German citizens must obtain German nurse equivalence in order to continue their profession in Germany.
To work as a nurse in hospitals, clinics, private health centers and elderly care centers in Germany, you need a German nurse equivalency. There are employment opportunities for nurses in Germany every year.
How to Get Engineer Equivalence in Germany?
People with professions such as computer engineers, electrical engineers, civil engineers, food engineers, automotive engineers and artificial intelligence engineers must obtain German engineer equivalence in order to continue their professions in Germany.
People who have engineer equivalence in Germany can receive job offers in line with their needs. A certain number of foreign engineers are hired every year within the scope of Germany’s engineer recruitment.
How to Get Paramedic Equivalence in Germany?
Applications for German paramedic equivalence are made to the Vocational Training Council of the Federal Republic of Germany.
People who receive German paramedic equivalence have the right to work in emergency services and ambulance services in Germany. People who have a residence permit in Germany can benefit from employment opportunities for paramedic recruitment in Germany if they achieve equivalence.
How to Get Physiotherapy Equivalence in Germany?
With German physiotherapy equivalence, it is possible to work in hospitals, clinics and private medical centers in Germany. People who are physiotherapists in their own countries apply to the Vocational Education Council of the Federal Republic of Germany for German physiotherapy equivalence.
Germany has a developed healthcare system. Foreign nationals who are experts in their fields are hired at certain intervals each year through the recruitment of healthcare personnel in Germany.
What are the Required Documents for Professional Equivalence Application in Germany?
The documents required for the German professional equivalence application are listed below.
- Germany professional equivalence application form
- Passport of the applicant
- Diploma or certificate proving professional competence
- Transcript of the vocational training program
- Academic and professional resume
- A valid Germany visa
- Health report
- Document proving German language proficiency
- Application letter of intent
What is the German Equivalence Certificate Proficiency Exam?
The German equivalence certificate proficiency exam is an analysis exam applied for qualified professions, craftsmanship professions or professions with advanced training. Foreign professionals who want to obtain work equivalency in Germany can be subject to a work trial process and professional interviews within the scope of the German equivalence certificate proficiency exam.
In order to pass the German equivalency certificate proficiency exam, it is possible to attend vocational adaptation courses or take the test and pass.
What Happens If Your Application for Professional Equivalence in Germany Is Rejected?
People who immigrate to Germany from third-class countries must complete the professional equivalence process. People whose application for professional equivalence in Germany is rejected must graduate from universities in Germany or complete vocational training courses.
If the profession of the person who wants to have his/her profession recognized as equivalent in Germany is not covered by the legal regulation, the person must obtain a residence permit through work and have a work report with an H+ evaluation grade. Equivalence procedures in Germany can be carried out by obtaining a residence permit in Germany, working and demonstrating successful performance. Studying at a university in Germany and having a diploma does not require the professional equivalence procedure in Germany.
Can Anyone Who Receives German Professional Equivalence Get a Work Visa?
Foreign nationals need to obtain a work visa to work in Germany. In order to apply for a German work visa, the equivalence process for the professions of the person must be completed in Germany.
Applications for a German work visa are made to German foreign missions in the country of residence. People who enter Germany with a German work visa apply for a residence permit by going to the immigration offices. It is possible to work and reside legally in Germany for the duration of the residence permit validity.
How Much Is the Professional Equivalence Fee in Germany?
The German professional equivalence fee can be up to 600 Euros. The application fee, which varies depending on the type of profession to be applied for, is determined by the Vocational Education Board of the Federal Republic of Germany and sent to the applicant. In addition to the application fee, there may be additional costs such as translation fees and notary fees.
How Long Does It Take to Get Professional Recognition for Germany?
After the application for German vocational equivalence is made, the preliminary assessment is completed within 1 month. The applicant is notified by the Vocational Training Board of the Federal Republic of Germany regarding the documents and requests any missing documents. After the entire application process is completed, the final assessment can take up to 3 months. When the application assessment is completed, the applicant is contacted. In some cases, the assessment process can be extended for up to 1 month.
Is it necessary to know German to obtain professional recognition in Germany?
It is not necessary to know German to obtain professional equivalence in Germany. According to the German professional equivalence procedures, the reference profession in Germany is compared with the applicant’s profession by the Vocational Training Board of the Federal Republic of Germany. In some professions, knowledge of German is required to obtain professional equivalence.
What are the most sought-after professions in Germany?
Considering the pandemic conditions in Germany, the most sought-after professions in 2022 are listed below.
Physiotherapist
Doctor
Nurse
Paramedic
Pharmacist
Dentist