Increasing Recognition of Foreign Qualifications in Germany

Germany is witnessing a significant rise in the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. According to the Federal Statistical Office, authorities approved 79,100 applications last year, marking an increase of over 21% compared to the previous year. Since the unified tracking of national and state recognition procedures began in 2016, the number of approvals has more than tripled.

The year 2024 saw a record 95,500 ongoing recognition procedures, which is more than double the figures from 2016. Both economic and political sectors have continuously urged for faster recognition of foreign qualifications in a bid to address the skilled labor shortage.

Among the countries with the highest number of recognized qualifications, Turkey led the way with 9,200 approvals in 2024, followed closely by Ukraine, which saw a remarkable increase in positive decisions, doubling to 6,400. Other notable countries include Tunisia, India, and Syria, while the numbers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the Philippines, experienced a decline.

The majority of approved applications were for medical professions, with nursing professionals leading the pack at 32,500 approvals, accounting for 41% of all recognitions--a rise of 19%. This was followed by 11,000 approvals for physicians and 4,400 for engineers.

The increased recognition reflects Germany's ongoing efforts to integrate foreign professionals into its labor market, particularly in sectors facing acute shortages. The healthcare system, in particular, has been a focal point of these initiatives, as the demand for skilled healthcare workers continues to rise.

As the workforce demographics shift, the ability to recognize foreign qualifications promptly is seen as a crucial factor in mitigating the effects of demographic changes and ensuring the sustainability of essential services in Germany.