Guides · Recognition
Anerkennung: where recognition is required and how to get it
Recognition answers two separate questions: "Can I do this job in Germany?" and "Can I get a visa for it?" In regulated occupations both depend on recognition; in non-regulated ones working is free but the visa still needs an assessment. Below: the distinction, the steps and a verified table by occupation.
Updated: 3 September 2026
Regulated and non-regulated occupations
Some occupations in Germany are regulated by law: nurse, midwife, physician, physiotherapist, early-years educator. Without recognition you cannot work in them; an employer cannot hire you even if it wants to.
Other occupations are not regulated: welder, electrician, truck driver, cook, software developer. Working in them does not require recognition — the employer decides. The visa is a separate matter, covered next.
Recognition and the visa
The skilled-worker visa via vocational training (§18a AufenthG) requires your training to be assessed as equivalent to German vocational training even in a non-regulated occupation. So you do not need recognition to work as a welder, but you need an equivalence assessment to get a visa as one.
Two facilitations exist. First, the experienced-worker route: with at least two years of professional experience and a state-recognised vocational qualification of at least two years, a visa can be issued without German recognition, subject to a salary threshold. Second, the Anerkennungspartnerschaft (since 2024): you agree with an employer, enter Germany and complete recognition while working. Both have conditions; clarify which fits you with the employer and the consulate.
Steps
- Find your occupation and the competent authority: the Anerkennungs-Finder on anerkennung-in-deutschland.de names the authority by occupation and federal state. For university degrees, the anabin database.
- Prepare documents: diploma and transcript, proof of professional experience (employer letters, social-security records), ID, CV. All translated into German by a sworn translator and, at most authorities, notarised/apostilled.
- Apply: by post or digitally. Fees vary by authority, typically a few hundred euros. Some programmes and employers cover them.
- Outcome: full equivalence, or partial equivalence plus a compensation measure (adaptation training / knowledge test). Once the file is complete, the statutory decision period is usually three months; missing documents stop the clock.
- Regulated occupations add: a language certificate (mostly B2) and a professional licence (e.g. Berufserlaubnis / Anerkennungsurkunde in healthcare).
Status by occupation
The table below comes from Kelyvaro's occupation catalogue; every row is verified against official sources. The matching engine uses the same data: in a regulated occupation without recognition, a posting stays in your list with a warning — it does not disappear.
| Occupation | Field | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse | Healthcare | Required |
| Midwife | Healthcare | Required |
| Physiotherapist | Healthcare | Required |
| Physician | Healthcare | Required |
| Geriatric care worker | Care and education | Required |
| Nursing assistant | Care and education | Required |
| Childcare educator (Erzieher) | Care and education | Required |
| Bricklayer | Construction | Not required |
| Concrete and reinforcement worker | Construction | Not required |
| Joiner / cabinetmaker | Construction | Not required |
| Structural carpenter | Construction | Not required |
| Painter and decorator | Construction | Not required |
| Tiler | Construction | Not required |
| Scaffolder | Construction | Not required |
| Construction machine operator | Construction | Not required |
| Electrician | Electrical, plumbing and metal | Not required |
| Plumbing and heating technician | Electrical, plumbing and metal | Not required |
| Welder | Electrical, plumbing and metal | Not required |
| Structural metalworker | Electrical, plumbing and metal | Not required |
| Refrigeration and HVAC technician | Electrical, plumbing and metal | Not required |
| Automotive technician | Electrical, plumbing and metal | Not required |
| Mechatronics technician | Electrical, plumbing and metal | Not required |
| CNC machinist | Manufacturing and maintenance | Not required |
| Industrial mechanic | Manufacturing and maintenance | Not required |
| Machine and plant operator | Manufacturing and maintenance | Not required |
| Truck driver | Transport and logistics | Not required |
| Bus driver | Transport and logistics | Not required |
| Warehouse and logistics worker | Transport and logistics | Not required |
| Cook | Hospitality and services | Not required |
| Restaurant service staff | Hospitality and services | Not required |
| Hotel receptionist | Hospitality and services | Not required |
| Baker | Hospitality and services | Not required |
| Butcher | Hospitality and services | Not required |
| Building cleaner | Hospitality and services | Not required |
| Hairdresser | Hospitality and services | Not required |
| Bookkeeper | Office | Not required |
| Software developer | Technology | Not required |
| System and network administrator | Technology | Not required |
| Data analyst | Technology | Not required |
| Mechanical engineer | Electrical, plumbing and metal | Not required |
| Electrical engineer | Electrical, plumbing and metal | Not required |
| Sales specialist | Office | Not required |
Common mistakes
- Assuming "no recognition needed" in a non-regulated occupation and skipping the assessment the visa requires.
- Using a non-sworn translator; the authority rejects it and the clock restarts.
- Applying without choosing the federal state: the competent authority and some conditions differ by state.
- Sending documents piecemeal: the period starts only when the file is complete.
- Leaving the language certificate for last: regulated occupations ask for recognition and language together.
FAQ
- Can I work in Germany without recognition?
- In a non-regulated occupation, yes, if the employer considers you qualified. In a regulated occupation, no.
- How long does recognition take?
- Once the file is complete, the statutory decision period is usually three months. Collecting and translating documents comes on top; a realistic total is a few months.
- How much does it cost?
- It varies by authority and occupation, typically a few hundred euros plus translation and notary costs. Some employers and support programmes cover it.
- What if I get partial equivalence?
- An adaptation measure or knowledge test is defined for the gaps; once completed, full equivalence is granted. With an Anerkennungspartnerschaft this can run while you work in Germany.
By occupation
Mark your recognition status in your profile; the list follows it.
Kelyvaro shows recognition status next to every posting in regulated occupations, so you see which postings you can apply to today and which after recognition.