FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a recognition procedure?

The Skilled Workers Immigration Act grants foreign professionals the right to have their educational qualifications assessed for equivalence with the corresponding German reference profession. Recognition means that a foreign professional qualification is legally equivalent to a German professional qualification and is therefore recognized in Germany.

What are the benefits of the recognition procedure?

Recognition provides comparability with German educational qualifications. Consequently, foreign professionals can position themselves as recognized professionals in the labor market.

Who is the recognition procedure suitable for?

The recognition procedure is suitable for professionals and specialists who have obtained an official educational qualification in their home country. The training must be at least two years long.

Can professionals or specialists from a third country work in Germany without a recognition procedure?

Under certain conditions, this is possible. Such conditions include at least two years of work experience in non-regulated professions with a specific salary threshold or, for example, positive ratings of the educational institution and the degree in the ANABIN database. There are also exceptions for IT professions. Consult with us for more information.

What requirements must professionals from third countries meet to work in Germany?

Foreign professionals (from third countries) need, in addition to a recognized (or partially recognized) educational qualification, an employment contract or a declaration of intent from the employer, approval from the Federal Employment Agency (does not apply to the Blue Card), and an appropriate visa for employment.

Visa for Employment

Which nationals need a work permit?

For all EU citizens, as well as citizens of the EEA and Switzerland, the “freedom of movement for workers” applies in Germany. They do not need a special work permit (authorization to take up employment).
People from third countries need a permit to work in Germany.

The Skilled Workers Immigration Act (FEG)

The law that allows professionals to officially work in Germany is called the Skilled Workers Immigration Act. It came into force in Germany in 2020 and aims to make it easier for companies in Germany to employ professionals from third countries. Since 2023, the law is based on three pillars:

The Skilled Workers Pillar
The Experience Pillar
The Potential Pillar

The Skilled Workers Pillar remains the central route for the immigration of skilled workers from third countries.

1. Skilled Workers Pillar:

§18 Residence Act – Skilled Workers Immigration

Specific job offer
Approval from the Federal Employment Agency
Possibly professional practice permit
Equivalence of qualifications

Requirements include, in addition to the recognized qualification, an employment contract as well as equal employment conditions as for nationals.

With a recognized qualification, any third-country national can, in principle, work in any qualified employment in non-regulated professions. That is, skilled workers can generally perform any qualified employment. For example, an office management specialist can also be employed in logistics

We support you with residence permits according to the Residence Act:

§18a Residence Act – Skilled Workers with Vocational Training
§18b Residence Act – Skilled Workers with Academic Education (with or without EU Blue Card)

2. The Experience Pillar

§ 6 Employment Regulation – Employment with professional practical experience:

Non-EU citizens who have at least two years of work experience and have obtained a state-recognized vocational qualification in their home country no longer need formal recognition of their qualification in Germany. However, an employment contract is required. The salary threshold is 45% of the contribution assessment ceiling.

3. Potential Pillar

§§20a, 20b Residence Act – Opportunity Card

Non-EU citizens who do not yet have a German employment contract can obtain an Opportunity Card. This is based on a points system. Selection criteria include qualifications, language skills, ties to Germany, and age.