Professional Recognition in Europe
Getting a Foreign Qualification Recognised to Work in Europe
How internationally-trained professionals get their qualifications recognised to work in Europe — the German medical Approbation, nurse recognition (Anerkennung), the anabin and ZAB/Zeugnisbewertung degree checks, and the EU system for recognising regulated professions.
Working in a regulated profession in Europe usually needs your foreign qualification recognised, which is different from studying and different from a simple degree evaluation. These guides explain the main recognition routes, using Germany (the largest market) as the worked example plus the EU-wide system.
Recognition bodies, tests and fees are set by each country/authority and change; confirm the current requirements on the official source. This is general information, not professional-recognition or immigration advice.
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Guides for Europe
6 of 6 guides in this hub are for Europe.
Approbation in Germany: Getting a Foreign Medical Degree Licensed to Practise
How foreign doctors obtain the Approbation to practise medicine in Germany: the state authority, equivalence check, Kenntnisprüfung, Fachsprachprüfung and the temporary Berufserlaubnis.
Read guideNurse Recognition (Anerkennung) in Germany for Foreign-Trained Nurses
How foreign-trained nurses get their qualification recognised in Germany: the Pflegefachperson title, B2 German, the knowledge test vs adaptation course, and the three possible outcomes.
Read guideUsing anabin to Check If Your University and Degree Are Recognised in Germany
How to use the KMK anabin database to check whether your university (H+/H-/H+/-) and degree are recognised in Germany for study, jobs, the EU Blue Card and the Opportunity Card.
Read guideHow the EU System for Recognising Regulated Professions Works
Understand the EU Professional Qualifications Directive: automatic vs general recognition, competent authorities, the European Professional Card, the Regulated Professions Database, and how non-EU qualifications are handled.
Read guideDo You Need Your Degree Recognised to Work in Europe? Regulated vs Non-Regulated Professions
Whether you need formal degree recognition to work in Europe depends on whether your profession is regulated or non-regulated. Learn the distinction, how it varies by country, and where to check.
Read guideThe ZAB Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung) for Working in Germany
What the ZAB Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung) is, when you need it for non-regulated jobs, the EU Blue Card or the Opportunity Card, and how it differs from anabin and professional recognition.
Read guideStudying in Europe
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