Increased acceptance of foreign professional certifications in Germany

Recognition of more international certifications increases in Germany

In 2021, Germany saw a significant increase in the recognition of foreign professional qualifications, with a total of 79,100 approvals – a 21% rise from the previous year, according to reports from ntv.de and dpa.

The surge was particularly noticeable in medical professions, with doctors and nurses leading the way. Doctors accounted for 11,000 recognitions, making them the second most approved medical profession, while nurses had the most approvals with 32,500 recognitions. This represented a 19% increase for nurses, accounting for 41% of all approvals in medical professions.

The majority of approvals in 2024 were in the medical field, with Ukraine and Turkey being the most represented countries. Ukraine, following Turkey, was the second most represented country, although the exact number of recognitions from Ukraine was not specified. Turkey, on the other hand, led with 9,200 recognitions.

Tunisia, India, and Syria were also among the top countries of origin for foreign professional qualifications recognized in Germany.

The increase in recognition of foreign professional qualifications is a response to repeated calls from the economy and politics to expedite the process, aiming to address the shortage of skilled workers in Germany. In 2024, there were 95,500 ongoing recognition procedures for foreign professional qualifications, more than double the number in 2016.

Since 2016, the number of recognized foreign professional qualifications in Germany has more than tripled. The trend shows no signs of slowing down, as the need for skilled workers in various sectors continues to grow.

Engineers also saw a substantial number of approvals in medical professions, with 4,400 recognitions. This underscores the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the healthcare sector.

As Germany continues to welcome professionals from around the world, the recognition of foreign professional qualifications will play a crucial role in integrating these individuals into the workforce and strengthening the country's economy.