New law clears way for recognition of degrees and training earned abroad

The Upper House of the German Parliament, the Bundesrat, has approved groundbreaking legislation that will recognize degrees and certifications earned abroad. Marking passage of the bill on November 4, Federal Minister for Education and Research Annette Schavan said in a statement, “This law is a milestone, and a requirement for real integration.”

Cardiac surgery, Photo: picture-alliance / Godong

The legislation will improve the assessment and recognition of professional qualifications earned abroad. The law already passed the Lower House of Parliament at the end of September.

The legislation known as the Anerkennungsgesetz comprised of more than 60 different laws and regulations will come into full force on March 1, 2012 providing a uniformed process for for the recognition of education earned abroad for professionals, employers and companies. “This shows people with degrees from other countries that we respect their life’s work and that their qualifications are needed and valued here in Germany,” emphasized Schavan.

The law also stipulates a person's legal right for an examination of equivalency of his or her foreign degrees and qualifications with German ones for some 350 skilled occupations in the German dual training system. If this tests are positive, the foreign degrees will be treated as if the testing took place in Germany. In a change, professional experience will also be evaluated more highly in the examination of equivalency.

A new central hotline at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees is to be set up when the law comes into force to provide advice to all requiring it.

“I’m happy that the Federal States have agreed to this law,” says Schavan. In an appeal to the Federal States Schavan adds, “It’s very important that the Federal States now immediately comply with the federal legislation in the professional laws under their domain. This applies to engineers, social workers, educators and teachers.”

The legislation is also an important step toward securing Germany’s much needed supply of skilled professionals. “The law is the best advertisement for professionals who want to come to Germany.”

Recognition Act