Bundesportal | Training professions in the field of administration of justice; application for determination of the equivalence of a foreign professional qualification

More Information

Publisher

Bavaria

Last update or date of publication

March 2, 2026

Access to numerous training occupations in the field of law (such as paralegal or notary's assistant) is not regulated in Germany. Admission to the profession is therefore not dependent on an applicant having the equivalence of foreign vocational training with a comparable profession in Germany established.

However, recognition of equivalence enables a graduate of foreign training to present their own qualifications transparently on the domestic labor market. In the case of recognition of equivalence, persons with foreign qualifications have the same rights and obligations as graduates of domestic qualifications.

The following documents are required:
- Tabular list of completed training courses and employment in German language
- Proof of identity
- Proof of training acquired abroad
- Proof of relevant professional experience or other certificates of competence, if these are required to establish equivalence
- Declaration that no application for determination of equivalence has yet been submitted
- Documents showing that the applicant intends to pursue gainful employment in Germany equivalent to the professional qualification
  This is generally not necessary for applicants residing in a member state of the European Union, another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or in Switzerland, or for nationals of these member states.
The competent authority will indicate the form in which the documents are to be submitted and whether translations of the documents are required.

Formloser Antrag (mit Unterschrift) Dieser Assistent unterstützt Sie bei der Erstellung eines formlosen Schreibens, wenn die zuständige Stelle kein Antragsformular zur Verfügung stellt.

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Preconditions

The prerequisite for determining equivalence is that the applicant has acquired the ability to perform a comparable professional activity in Germany on the basis of their foreign professional qualification. In addition, there must be no significant differences between the proven professional qualification and the corresponding domestic professional qualification.

Hints

Equivalence can only be determined for training occupations that are covered by the scope of application of the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act or the Bavarian Professional Qualifications Assessment Act. It is therefore not possible to determine equivalence for the profession of Rechtspfleger, for example.

The competent authority will inform you of the amount of the costs charged for determining the equivalence of the training. The costs can be paid by bank transfer (also via online banking).

Basis for legal action

§ 50a Berufsbildungsgesetz (BBiG)

§§ 4 ff. Gesetz über die Feststellung der Gleichwertigkeit von Berufsqualifikationen (Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz - BQFG)

Legal Remedies

An action against the decision can be brought before the administrative court.

Procedure

The equivalence of a foreign professional qualification is determined upon application. This must be submitted to the bar association or notary's office responsible for the respective domestic professional training and otherwise to the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice.

Deadlines

none

Processing time

The competent body shall confirm receipt of the application for determination of equivalence within one month of receipt of the application. It will decide on the application no later than three months after receipt of all required documents. The deadline can be extended if necessary.