You can have a training qualification from abroad officially recognized in Germany by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). The procedure for recognition is called: Equivalency assessment (BQFG).

Please note: Your training qualification must be recognized by the state in the country where you trained. Informal or non-formal qualifications cannot be officially recognized in Germany.

During the equivalence assessment, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) compares your training qualification with a specific German training qualification. The German training qualification must match your training qualification. Important criteria for the comparison are the content and duration of the training.

You will receive notification of the outcome of the procedure. The notification will state any existing and any missing professional qualifications.
The certificate makes your foreign training qualification transparent for employers and thus increases your chances on the job market. For skilled workers abroad outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, a recognition procedure is usually a prerequisite for obtaining a visa.

There are around 350 different training qualifications in the area of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in Germany. You can find a list of training qualifications on the IHK FOSA website, for example. To apply for an equivalence assessment, you must identify a German training qualification. This German training qualification must match your training qualification. This is why it is important to obtain detailed advice before submitting an application.

You can obtain individual initial advice on the application, procedure, costs and duration as well as options for financial support from the local Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK). The advice centers of the IQ network ("Integration through Qualification"), the employment service and other local authorities also provide information on the recognition of foreign qualifications.

You can apply to the relevant Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). There are 79 IHKs in Germany. For 76 IHKs in Germany, the IHK FOSA in Nuremberg is responsible for centrally determining equivalence. Exceptions are the IHK Hannover, the IHK Braunschweig and the IHK Wuppertal-Solingen-Remscheid.

You can also apply for equivalence assessment from abroad.

In the case of qualifications from Austria and France, there is the possibility of a simplified equivalence assessment, as special agreements exist with these countries. To do this, you must contact your local Chamber of Industry and Commerce. You can find out which IHK is responsible for you under "Further information".

Please note
As an employer in Germany, you can apply for an accelerated skilled worker procedure for skilled workers from third countries. You apply for the procedure with the authorization of the skilled worker at the responsible immigration authority at your company headquarters in Germany. In this accelerated procedure for skilled workers, the equivalence assessment at the IHK is accelerated, among other things. There are additional fees for the accelerated skilled worker procedure.