Anerkennung
Recognition of qualifications (Anerkennung)
In Germany some jobs are regulated: you need your foreign qualification recognised, or a licence, before you can work in them. For everything else, recognition is optional for the job itself, but a visa may still ask you to prove your qualification, and recognition makes you count as a skilled worker. Pick your occupation to see how it works.
Healthcare & care
Pflegefachkraft (Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger:in)
Regulated profession — recognition required
Arzt / Ärztin (Approbation)
Regulated profession — recognition required
Pflegefachkraft (Altenpflege)
Regulated profession — recognition required
Physiotherapeut:in
Regulated profession — recognition required
Hebamme / Entbindungspfleger
Regulated profession — recognition required
Apotheker:in (Approbation)
Regulated profession — recognition required
Zahnarzt / Zahnärztin (Approbation)
Regulated profession — recognition required
Medizinische:r Technolog:in für Radiologie (MTR)
Regulated profession — recognition required
Ergotherapeut:in
Regulated profession — recognition required
Logopäde / Logopädin
Regulated profession — recognition required
Notfallsanitäter:in
Regulated profession — recognition required
IT & tech
Fachinformatiker / Softwareentwickler
Not regulated — recognition optional but useful
IT-Sicherheitsexperte / Cybersecurity
Not regulated — recognition optional but useful
Data Scientist / Machine Learning Engineer
Not regulated — recognition optional but useful
Engineering
Skilled trades
Elektroniker:in
Not regulated — recognition optional but useful
Fachkraft Metalltechnik / Schweißer
Not regulated — recognition optional but useful
Mechatroniker:in
Not regulated — recognition optional but useful
Anlagenmechaniker:in SHK
Not regulated — recognition optional but useful
Kfz-Mechatroniker:in
Not regulated — recognition optional but useful
Tischler:in / Schreiner:in
Not regulated — recognition optional but useful
Dachdecker:in
Not regulated — recognition optional but useful
Industriemechaniker:in
Not regulated — recognition optional but useful
Hospitality
Transport & logistics
Education
Frequently asked questions
What is Anerkennung in Germany?
Anerkennung is the official recognition of a foreign professional qualification: an authority compares it with the German reference occupation. For regulated professions (nurse, doctor, teacher and others) you need it, or a licence, before you can work. For other jobs it's optional for the job itself, but a visa may still ask for proof of your qualification, and recognition makes you count as a skilled worker (Fachkraft).
Which jobs need recognition to work in Germany?
Regulated professions: healthcare (nurses, doctors), teaching and some others. Most IT, engineering and trade roles don't need it to work, though your visa may still require evidence of your qualification, and recognised training can help with pay. The official Recognition Finder tells you which applies to your occupation.
Can I start recognition before moving to Germany?
Yes. You can start the assessment from abroad through the official portal. If you meet its conditions, a recognition partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft) lets you come first and finish the recognition in Germany while you work.
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