Recognition statistics 2016

In this section the BQ-Portal provides an overview of the success rates of applications for professional recognition by professional groups, professions, regions and countries. Full equivalence is the most common outcome of the equivalence reviews in 2016.

Over 19.800 applications for recognition of foreign professional qualifications were processed in 2016 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 attested in 2016. Only 3.4% of the applicants received a negative ruling. One has to bear in mind that partial equivalence is broadly defined and, thus, ranges from “only limited” to “large overlaps between the German and the foreign qualification”. The significant differences which can be compensated through a formalised additional training (compensation measures), vary accordingly. The share of those granted full equivalence is, though, very high. They make up 66,4 % of all applicants. 

 

Glossary

Regulated professions: In order for these occupations to be exercised a full equivalence is required. This is primarily the case in health professions (e.g. doctors, general care nurses etc.) and regulated master craftsman occupations. About three quarters (74.9%) of the recognition procedures deal with regulated professions. In case it is not possible to attest full equivalence, the assessment notification imposes compensation measures which have to be fulfilled in order to acquire full equivalence.

Non-regulated professions: These include occupations that require prior vocational and advanced training qualifications such as electronics technician, mechatronics technician, office clerk etc. About one quarter (25.1%) of the recognition procedures are concerned with non-regulated professions. In case it is not possible to grant full equivalence, a partial equivalence is attested. After the fulfilment of the imposed compensation measures full equivalence can be acquired.

Equivalence quotas: The equivalence evaluation generally consists of two stages: the formal and the individual evaluation. The formal evaluation is sometimes sufficient for determining equivalence. In such cases, an official notification is issued stating that the foreign professional qualification is equivalent to the German reference qualification. If it is not possible to determine equivalence based on formal qualifications alone, the individual evaluation will take additional evidence of training and relevant work experience into consideration. Therefore the equivalence quotas in the recognition statistics base on mostly individual equivalence evaluations. 

Anerkennungsstatistik Berufsgruppen 2016 EN
The share of applicants granted full equivalence in Germany varies widely among the individual professions and among the professional groups. The proportion of applicants who received full equivalence is especially high in the sales and food production sector.
Anerkennungsstatistik Berufe 2016 EN
In terms of individual professions, the recognition rate in Germany diverges widely. Over 90% of applicants who wish to acquire a license to practice as ergotherapists receive full equivalence. In most professions, the share of those granted full equivalence varies from 40% to 80%.
Anerkennungsstatistik Regionen Teaserbild
The success rate differs depending on the region where the foreign professional qualification was obtained. The success rate for EU member states is the highest.
Anerkennungsstatistik Länder 2016 EN
Applicants from Belgium, Hungary, Libya, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Latvia, Italy and Romania have the highest chances of positive ruling since their success rate is over 85%. The highest recognition rate has Austria with about 92%. Those from Greece received a positive ruling in over 80% of the cases.
Anerkennungsstatistik -ausgewählte Berufe 2016 EN
The majority of applications for recognition are filed by foreign doctors wishing to have their license recognised to practise medicine. The range of countries of origin is enormous. Syria, a non-European country, ranked first with 633 applications processed. Romania ranked second, followed by Austria. About 250 applications processed were filed by those trained each in Egypt, Russia and Ukraine.
Anerkennungsstatistik -ausgewählte Antragsländer 2016 EN
The majority of recognition notifications is granted to applicants from Romania. The majority of the recognition notifications are issued for regulated professions, especially general care nurses and doctors. There are much fewer notifications issued for the non-regulated professions such as office clerks and electrical systems technicians.