Recognition statistics 2015
Full equivalence is the most common outcome of the equivalence reviews
Over 17.000 applications for recognition of foreign professional qualifications were processed in 2015 in Germany. The competent authorities responsible for the recognition procedure compare the applicants’ foreign qualification to the corresponding German qualification in order to determine their equivalence. The key criterion for granting equivalence is that as a result of foreign vocational training the applicant has acquired the knowledge and skills necessary for practising that profession in Germany. In addition to formal learning outcomes, relevant work experience or other evidence of competence are taken into consideration.
In most of the cases, full or partial equivalence could be established. Only 2.6% of the applicants received a negative ruling. One has to bear in mind that partial equivalence is broadly defined and, thus, varies from only limited to large overlaps between the German and the foreign qualification. The significant differences, which can be compensated through the formalized additional training (compensation measures), vary accordingly. The share of those granted full equivalence is, though, very high. They make up 74% of all applicants.
The share of those granted full equivalence in the health and sales sector stands at more than 75%. The success rate in the law and administration sector is, on the contrary, extremely low due to significant differences in the law and administration systems among the countries.
In terms of individual professions, the recognition rate in Germany diverges widely. Over 90% of applicants who wish to have their license to practice as a veterinarian, speech therapist or dentist recognized receive full equivalence. In the most professions, the share of those granted full equivalence varies from 40% to 90%.
The success rate of recognition procedures in Germany differs depending on the region where the foreign professional qualification was obtained. In particular, the share of cases where full equivalence was established ranges from 84% of qualifications obtained in the EU member states to 60% of qualifications obtained in candidate states for EU membership.
Applicants from Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and France have the highest chances of positive ruling since their success rate is over 90%. The highest recognition rate has the Netherlands with about 96%. Those from Italy, Austria, Romania and Hungary received a positive ruling in over 89% of the cases.
The majority of applications for recognition are filed by foreign doctors wishing to have their license to practice medicine recognized. The range of countries of origin is enormous. Syria, a non-European country, ranks first with 483 applications processed. Romania ranked second, followed by Austria. Some 250 applications processed were filed by those trained each in Egypt and in Russian Federation.
The majority of recognition notifications is granted to the applicants from Romania. The majority of the recognition notifications are issued for the regulated professions, especially general care nurse and doctor. There are much fewer notifications issued for the non-regulated professions such as office clerks and electrical systems technician.
