RECOGNITION AND VALIDITY OF PROFESSIONAL TITLES IN GERMANY
Because university programs in each country have different content, individuals who want to work in a country other than their country of study face various challenges. One of these challenges is obtaining the equivalence and recognition of their diplomas. Those who wish to work in Germany and have studied in a country other than their country of study must meet certain requirements when practicing their profession. Individuals who wish to work or pursue higher education in Germany must first ensure that their diplomas or professional titles from foreign education are recognized or validated in Germany.
In this article, we would like to briefly explain the processes for recognizing and equivalencing professional titles and school diplomas in Germany.
1. Why are Professional Equivalence and Diploma Recognition Procedures Necessary?
Recognizing a professional title in Germany is necessary to ensure that the professional title obtained through education received outside of Germany is equivalent to the professional title obtained in Germany and to ensure that the profession can be practiced in Germany. Otherwise, the relevant profession cannot be practiced in Germany.
The recognition of professional titles obtained through education received abroad is regulated by the German Recognition Act. This law governs the recognition of diplomas obtained from education abroad and certificate programs providing professional development. Furthermore, each state may have its own laws. Therefore, it is crucial to contact the relevant authorities in Germany, either in the place of residence or in the place where the professional activities will be performed, and to submit the application.
2. How to Apply for Recognition and Equivalence?
To obtain recognition and equivalence procedures in Germany for a professional title obtained through education received abroad, it is necessary to apply to the relevant professional institutions or organizations (professional chambers, etc.). Therefore, it is first necessary to identify the institutions or organizations that perform recognition and equivalence procedures for the relevant professional field. Authorized organizations are generally professional associations or professional chambers.
For professions such as law or medicine, where entry into the profession requires approval by state institutions, the regulations of the state in which the application is made must be taken into account.
3. What are the Required Documents for Application?
The documents that must be submitted to the relevant institution/organization during the application process are as follows:
Application form,
Valid passport,
Diplomas (bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees), certificates, and other documents related to the field of study,
Documents regarding the duration and content of the education (transcripts and supplements),
Documents regarding vocational training and professional-related work,
Detailed CV,
Medical report.
In addition to all these documents, other documents may be requested by the relevant institutions. All required documents must be notarized in their original form and translated into German. Documents requiring translation must be translated by authorized translators of the institutions where the application is made. Please note that otherwise, duplicate translation costs will be incurred.
4. How Does the Application Process Work?
As part of the application, the equivalent of diplomas obtained through education received in a foreign country to those received in Germany will be examined. The content of the courses taken during the education received is compared with the content of the courses taken during the education received in Germany. Based on this, any missing courses or courses specifically required for practicing a profession in Germany are identified. The applicant is granted the right to take an exam to complete the missing courses. Professional experience is also taken into account when determining the required courses.
5. Application Fee
The application fee varies by state and the institution/organization to which the application will be made. Therefore, we cannot provide a standard fee. The application fee amount is determined by the institution/organization to which the application will be made.
6. Is German Language Proficiency Required for Equivalence Procedures?
Recognizing diplomas and obtaining their equivalence grants a person the right to practice a profession in Germany. Therefore, proficiency in German is essential. The requirements for language courses and the certification of language proficiency vary depending on the professional group in which they will be employed. Individuals are required to document their language proficiency through a language certificate.
Consequently, obtaining diploma equivalence and the recognition of professional titles in Germany are carried out within specific procedures. The processing time can vary depending on the individual's language skills. Therefore, individuals wishing to practice their profession in Germany should prioritize their language proficiency and seek assistance from experienced consultants in diploma equivalence procedures.
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Attorney Sinem Orhan (Dip.-Jur)
0553 774 02 23
info@anil-coskun.com
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