How to Get Your Foreign Degree Recognized in Lower Saxony (Anerkennung)

Many newcomers arrive in Lower Saxony with a bachelor’s, master’s, or professional qualification from another country and ask a simple question: “Is my degree valid here?” The answer depends on what you want to do. For some goals, such as applying for a master’s programme, you mainly need academic recognition. For others, such as working as a doctor, engineer, or teacher, you may need formal professional recognition from a specific authority.

This guide explains the basic steps to get your foreign degree recognized in Lower Saxony. We look at academic recognition for further study, professional recognition for working in regulated professions, and useful tools such as the anabin database and the ZAB “Zeugnisbewertung” (statement of comparability). The aim is to give you a clear overview so you can plan your next steps calmly and realistically.

Why Recognition of Foreign Degrees Matters

Germany has a structured education system. Employers, universities, and authorities often need to know how a foreign degree compares to a German degree. Recognition is about this comparison. It does not change what you have studied, but it explains how your qualification fits into the German system [10][13].

Recognition can be important in several situations:

For further study: Universities need to know whether your bachelor’s is equivalent to a German bachelor’s and whether you meet subject requirements for a master’s programme [5][10].
For regulated professions: In jobs like doctor, nurse, pharmacist, teacher, or certain engineers, you need official recognition from a competent authority before you can work with the full professional title [1][10][12].
For employers: Even when recognition is not legally required, a statement of comparability can help employers understand your level, for example that your degree is comparable to a German master’s [5][14].
For residence and integration: In some residence permits for skilled workers, the fact that your degree is recognised, or listed as comparable in anabin, is an explicit legal requirement [5][13].

In Lower Saxony, the responsible authority depends on your goal and job. However, some tools are used in almost all cases, especially the anabin database and, for many higher education degrees, the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).

Key Concepts: Academic vs Professional Recognition

Before starting, it helps to understand the difference between academic and professional recognition. The German information portal “Anerkennung in Deutschland” explains that these are two different procedures with different goals [5][19].

Academic Recognition

Academic recognition is mainly relevant when you want to study at a German university or use your previous degree to enter a higher level (for example a master’s). Each university decides individually whether your previous qualification gives you access to a specific programme [5][10].

Typical examples of academic recognition:

Using a foreign school certificate to get a place in a bachelor’s programme.
Using a foreign bachelor’s degree to apply for a master’s programme at a university in Lower Saxony.
Proving that your degree is at bachelor or master level with a ZAB “Zeugnisbewertung” when applying for a PhD.

Academic recognition is always linked to a study place. You usually apply directly to a university, and they decide which semester you can enter, which modules count, and whether you need additional qualifications.

Professional Recognition

Professional recognition is needed if you want to work in a regulated profession. Regulated means that the law says you need a specific qualification and permission to work in that job. Classic examples are health professions, social work, teachers in public schools, architects, and certain technical professions [1][10][12].

Professional recognition is usually handled by sector specific authorities. In Lower Saxony, this could be:

state offices responsible for health professions and professional licences,
chambers such as the Chamber of Physicians or Chamber of Engineers,
the IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) for certain vocational qualifications [1][4][15].

For many non regulated jobs, such as IT, marketing, or some research positions, formal professional recognition is not compulsory. Employers can decide themselves whether your degree is suitable. In practice, a ZAB statement of comparability or a clear anabin entry can still make your application easier to understand [5][13][14].

Using anabin to Check Your University and Degree

The anabin database is a central tool for evaluating foreign qualifications. It is run by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) and collects information on foreign schools, universities, and degrees. The database helps authorities, universities, and employers classify foreign qualifications in the German system [2][6][9][13].

In anabin you can check:

whether your university is recognised and how it is rated (for example “H+”, “H+/-” or “H-”),
how your specific degree type is evaluated (for example comparable to a German bachelor or master),
which German qualification level your degree roughly corresponds to [2][5][9].

To use anabin, visit the information portal here: anabin – information portal for foreign educational qualifications.

A simple way to start:

Choose the higher education section in anabin.
Search for your university under “Hochschulen”. Check whether it has the status “H+”. This usually means that the institution is recognised in Germany [2][9].
Search under “Abschlüsse” for your degree type (for example “Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering”).
Check how the degree is classified. The description will often mention whether it is comparable to a German bachelor or master and whether there are any remarks [5][20].

If your university and degree are clearly listed as comparable, this is a strong sign that recognition will work smoothly, for example for skilled worker visas or when asking employers to understand your profile. If your degree is not in anabin, or you need an official paper with signature, the next step may be to apply for a ZAB “Zeugnisbewertung”.

Getting a ZAB Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung)

The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) is the central authority for the evaluation of foreign qualifications in Germany. One of its main services is the “Zeugnisbewertung”, an official statement of comparability for foreign higher education qualifications [3][6][10][16].

The statement of comparability:

names your foreign degree, university, place, and date of graduation,
describes the duration and type of your studies,
confirms whether university and qualification are recognized,
states the equivalent level in the German system (for example bachelor level or master level) [3][14].

According to ZAB, this document is often used when applying for jobs, seeking professional recognition, or applying for certain residence titles for skilled workers, especially when your degree is not listed clearly in anabin or the employer wants extra security [3][5][13][16].

You can find full information and the online application form on the ZAB website: ZAB – Statement of Comparability for foreign higher education qualifications.

How the ZAB Online Application Works

Since February 2024, the ZAB application process is fully digital. You create a user account on the ZAB website, fill in an online form, upload scans of your documents, and pay the fee by credit card or PayPal. When the evaluation is finished, the statement is made available as a PDF in your account [7][17][21].

Typical steps include:

Prepare documents such as your degree certificate, transcript, passport, and possibly translations by a certified translator.
Create an account on the ZAB application portal and start the online form [7].
Upload PDF scans of your documents and answer questions about your study programme.
Pay the fee and submit your application. Processing may take several weeks, depending on volume and complexity [14][17].
Download your statement of comparability once it is ready and keep it safe for future use.

The fees and processing times can change, so always check the latest information on the ZAB website before applying. Remember that the ZAB statement does not automatically replace professional recognition. However, it is a core document that many authorities and employers in Lower Saxony use as a reference [3][10][14].

Read more: Step-by-step guide to enrollment and admin for new students at Uni Oldenburg

Recognition of School Certificates for Study in Lower Saxony

If you want to start a bachelor’s degree in Lower Saxony, the question is often whether your school leaving certificate (for example high school diploma) is equivalent to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. For this, different recognition procedures exist, usually at the level of the federal state.

The education ministry of Lower Saxony publishes an orientation guide for the recognition of foreign school, vocational, and higher education qualifications, including information about which offices are responsible for which groups [0]. At the same time, the nationwide portal “Anerkennung in Deutschland” explains that the responsible certificate recognition office for school certificates can be found through the anabin database or state specific portals [11][18].

In practice, many prospective students will go through uni-assist or directly through the university admissions office. Uni-assist checks foreign school certificates according to guidelines from the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK) and decides whether you are eligible for direct university access, access via a Studienkolleg, or not yet eligible [1][5][11]. Universities in Lower Saxony then base their admission decisions on this evaluation.

Because school recognition is complex and strongly depends on your specific certificate and grades, it is important to follow the instructions on the application pages of your target university. Our article on university administration at Uni Oldenburg gives a concrete example of how this works for one institution in Lower Saxony.

Professional Recognition for Working in Lower Saxony

When you want to work in your learned profession in Lower Saxony, especially in a regulated field, you often need professional recognition (Berufsanerkennung). The Lower Saxony Ministry for Social Affairs and Integration explains that legal foundations and procedures for recognition are described centrally at the information portal “Anerkennung in Deutschland”. This portal is a guide to the relevant authorities for almost all professions [1][19].

Where to Start: The “Anerkennung in Deutschland” Portal

The federal information portal Anerkennung in Deutschland is operated by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). It explains recognition law, provides multi language information, and has a step by step search function “Recognition Finder” where you enter your profession and where you want to work. The portal then shows whether recognition is necessary and which authority in Lower Saxony is responsible [1][5][19].

The portal also explains differences between professional recognition for vocational qualifications, academic degrees, and school certificates. It includes special information for people who are still abroad and want to have their qualification recognized before coming to Germany, using the Central Service Center for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) [8][19].

Recognition in Lower Saxony: NiZzA, IHK, and Other Authorities

In Lower Saxony, professional recognition procedures are handled by different bodies depending on the profession:

NiZzA (Niedersächsisches Zentrum für Anerkennung) coordinates recognition procedures for many health and social professions and lists contact persons according to surname initials [4].
Industry and Commerce Chamber (IHK Hannover) is responsible for recognising vocational qualifications in industry, trade, and services for its region and offers free counselling as part of the “Integration through Qualification” programme [15].
Other chambers and professional bodies (for example Handwerkskammer, medical chambers, teaching authorities) are responsible for craft professions or specific regulated occupations.

The official migration portal and state websites emphasise that you should always clarify which authority is responsible before sending documents. They also stress that recognition decisions may be full, partial, or negative. In many cases, a partial recognition leads to requirements such as adaptation periods, additional exams, or further training [1][8][10][12].

Practical Step-by-Step Plan for Newcomers in Lower Saxony

Because there are many different paths, it is helpful to follow a simple plan and ask for counselling when necessary. Here is a practical step-by-step overview you can adapt to your situation.

Clarify your goal: Do you want to study, work in a regulated profession, or simply show your qualification level to employers? Your goal decides whether you need academic recognition, professional recognition, or both.
Check anabin: Use the anabin database to see how your university and degree are classified. Take screenshots or notes for future use [2][5][9].
Use “Anerkennung in Deutschland”: Go to the portal and search for your profession and place of work. Note the name and contact details of the responsible authority in Lower Saxony [1][5][19].
Decide on a ZAB statement: If your degree is not clearly listed in anabin, or if you need an official document for employers or visa purposes, consider applying for a ZAB “Zeugnisbewertung” [3][14].
Prepare documents: Collect diplomas, transcripts, detailed course descriptions, work experience evidence, and translations by sworn translators where necessary.
Ask for counselling: Use recognition advice centres in Lower Saxony (for example NiZzA, IHK counselling, migration counselling) to check which path is realistic and which documents you really need [1][4][15][19].
Improve your German in parallel: Recognition often goes more smoothly when you also work on your language skills. Our article on learning German in Lower Saxony explains your main options, and our TestDaF guide helps if you plan to study in German later.
Submit your recognition or evaluation application: Follow the instructions from the responsible authority or the ZAB portal, pay any fees, and wait for the decision.
React to the decision: If recognition is full, congratulations. If it is partial, ask about bridging measures such as adaptation periods, exams, or additional courses.

Common Questions and Pitfalls

Do I always need official recognition to work? No. Many jobs in the private sector are not legally regulated. Employers may hire you based on their own assessment, often supported by a ZAB statement or clear anabin entry. However, for regulated professions you must follow the legal recognition path [10][13][19].

Do I need translations of all documents? Usually yes. Authorities and universities normally require translations by sworn or publicly appointed translators. Some may accept English documents, but this is not guaranteed. Check the exact rules on the website of the authority or university before paying for translations.

How long does recognition take? It depends. ZAB evaluations can take several weeks or months; professional recognition procedures can also take time, especially in complex health professions. Starting early and sending complete documents reduces delays [3][14][17].

What if my qualification is only “partially equivalent”? Partial recognition is not a failure. It normally means that part of your training matches German standards, but other parts are missing. Authorities often suggest measures such as exams, adaptation periods, or additional training to close the gap [1][8][10]. In Lower Saxony, qualification advice centres can help you plan a realistic path.

Is recognition the same as a job offer? No. Recognition confirms that your qualification meets certain standards, but you still need to apply for jobs, write a CV, and attend interviews. For help with the German job market, you can later explore resources on writing a German CV and preparing for interviews when these topics are added to this website.

References

[1] Ministry for Social Affairs, Labour, Health and Equality of Lower Saxony. “Anerkennung ausländischer Berufsqualifikationen.” Overview of legal basis, recognition portal, and counselling options in Lower Saxony.
[2] anabin – Infoportal zu ausländischen Bildungsabschlüssen. Description of database purpose, evaluation of foreign institutions and qualifications, and support for authorities and individuals.
[3] ZAB – Zeugnisbewertung für ausländische Hochschulabschlüsse. Official description of the statement of comparability, its contents, and use cases in Germany.
[4] Niedersächsisches Zentrum für Anerkennung (NiZzA). Department pages on recognition of foreign professional qualifications and contact allocation by surname initials.
[5] “Anerkennung in Deutschland” – Federal information portal on recognition. Sections on higher education qualification assessment, profession search, and explanations of academic vs professional recognition.
[6] Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). General profile as the central authority for evaluation of foreign qualifications in Germany.
[7] Netzwerk IQ. News item “ZAB: Zeugnisbewertung für ausländische Hochschulabschlüsse ab heute digital” (15 Feb 2024) on fully digital application procedure and online user accounts.
[8] Migrationsportal / Zentrale Servicestelle Berufsanerkennung (ZSBA). Information for skilled workers abroad about professional recognition before entering Germany.
[9] Federal Foreign Office. “What is ANABIN?” Description of the anabin database and its role in assessing foreign educational certificates.
[10] Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). “Anerkennung ausländischer Abschlüsse” and related pages on ZAB as central evaluation authority.
[11] Lower Saxony Ministry of Education. “Anerkennung ausländischer Bildungsabschlüsse (Zeugnisse).” Orientation guide to recognition of school, vocational, and higher education certificates in Niedersachsen.
[12] Bildungsportal Niedersachsen. Pages on regulated, state regulated professions in Lower Saxony and associated access requirements.
[13] Make it in Germany. “Evaluation of foreign academic degrees.” Explanation of the role of anabin and ZAB for skilled worker immigration and job applications.
[14] Anerkennung in Deutschland (professional section). “Bewertung von Hochschulabschlüssen.” Description of the ZAB statement of comparability and its use for academic and professional purposes.
[15] IHK Hannover. “Anerkennung ausländischer Abschlüsse.” Information on recognition procedures for industry, trade, and services and free counselling through the IQ network.
[16] ZAB. “Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen.” Role of ZAB as service provider for institutions, authorities, and individuals.
[17] Federal and foreign office announcements about the fully online ZAB procedure and digital delivery of statements of comparability.
[18] Anerkennung in Deutschland. “Schulabschlüsse.” Explanation of certificate recognition offices and link to anabin for finding responsible authorities.
[19] Anerkennung in Deutschland – main portal. General guidance for professionals and counsellors on recognition procedures in Germany, including multi language resources.
[20] European and German equality and labour information sites describing the use of anabin for employers and employees when assessing foreign qualifications.
[21] ZAB online application portal documentation. Technical description of user accounts, PDF upload, and secure payment options for Zeugnisbewertung.