Procedure descriptions

Foreign qualifications – applying for recognition

Recognition is required if, for example, you

  • are attending certain secondary schools, or
  • are applying for, or would like to apply for , certain vocational training programmes ,
  • wish to work in childcare.

For the purposes of recognition, the foreign educational qualification is equated with a comparable qualification in Baden-Württemberg.

Examples of certificates or qualifications that are equated or recognised:

  • Realschulabschluss or an equivalentlevel of education
  • Hauptschulabschluss or an equivalent level of education
  • Vocational qualification from a regulated training programme in the field of childcare
  • University entrance qualification for vocational purposes
  • UniversityEntry qualification for German applicants with foreign educational qualifications
  • Professional recognition of school-based vocational training completed abroad
  • Professional recognition of sports and gymnastics teachers working as self-employed professionals

Forms/Online Services

Responsible authority

the Qualifications Recognition Office of the Stuttgart Regional Council

Referat 73.2 Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle [Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart]

Details

Prerequisite

For the recognition of school qualifications:

  • You have your main residence in Baden-Württemberg, or
  • as a non-EU citizen residing outside Baden-Württemberg, you can provide provisional confirmation of a vocational training place in Baden-Württemberg; that is, a vocational training provider in Baden-Württemberg certifies that vocational training is planned, subject to the recognition of your qualifications. Proof of having applied for a training place in Baden-Württemberg alone is not sufficient. Or
  • As a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, you can provide evidence of having been accepted into the application process for further education or training, or of employment in Baden-Württemberg, or
  • as a German national, you have applied or intend to apply for a degree programme in Baden-Württemberg.

Please note: However, we are not responsible for qualifications awarded in Baden-Württemberg.

Procedure

  • You must apply for recognition in writing. Please use the form provided for this purpose. Please note the specific instructions. Please also state the purpose for which you require the assessment.
  • Send the completed application form, together with all the necessary documents, by post to the relevant authority. You may also submit your application by email as a PDF attachment.
  • You will be informed in writing of the results of the qualification assessment and of any recognition of equivalence.
  • If your qualification is recognised, the Qualifications Recognition Office will issue you with a certificate to that effect. Along with the decision, you will also receive information on how to pay the fees. Do not send any cash.

Deadlines

Well in advance – please note any application deadlines

Required documents

Recognition of school qualifications:

  • Application form for the recognition of school qualifications, completed in full
  • A copy of your passport or identity card , or, if you are a German national, your current identity card
  • if the name on the school certificate does not match the name on the identity document: proof of a change of name, in the original language and, where applicable, with an official translation
  • For nationals of a non-EU Member State: residence permit (with supplementary sheet)
  • Foreignschool leaving certificates in the original language, including a list of subjects and marks
  • Evidence of study or degree certificate from abroad, including a list of subjects and marks (if available)
  • If you are applying for a fee waiver on the grounds of low income, you will also need:
    • Evidence of family income, for example a copy of a payslip or a notice from the Jobcentre regarding unemployment benefit.
    • Proof of the number of family members or household members, for example, if available, a copy of an extended registration certificate, a marriage certificate or the children’s birth certificates

Recognition of vocational qualifications:

  • A fully completed application form for vocational recognition
  • A copy of your passport or identity card( ) or, if you are a German national, a copy of your current identity card
  • If the name on the certificate and the name on the identity document do not match: proof of a change of name, in the original language and, where necessary, with an official translation
  • Curriculum vitae in tabular form
  • Evidence of professional qualifications, including a list of subjects and grades
  • Evidence of employment (e.g. employment record book, employment references)
  • If you are applying for a fee waiver on the grounds of low income, you will also need:
    • Evidence of household income, for example a copy of a payslip or a notice from the Jobcentre regarding unemployment benefit.
    • Proof of the number of family members in the household , for example, if available, a copy of an extended registration certificate, marriage certificate or the children’s birth certificates

Important: Please submit your educational qualifications (for school recognition) and their official translations as certified copies. Copies are certified if they bear an official stamp certifying that the copy matches the original. You may submit other documents in their original language, together with an official translation, as a simple copy (not a certified copy).

Please havean official translation made ofall certificates and other documents that are not written in German or English. Please send us a copy of the translation and keep the original translation for yourself. You can find officially sworn translators in Germany at: Home page – Interpreters and Translators Database (Link: https://www.gerichtsdolmetscherverzeichnis.de/Recherche/ ).


Documents in English or French do not usually need to be translated.

Please note: Certified translations may only be carried out by sworn translators.

Costs

Certificate confirming a qualification obtained: EUR 100.00

If you are on a low income, you can apply informally for a fee waiver. To do so, please enclose the following supporting documents with your application:

  • Evidence of household income, for example a copy of a payslip or a notice from the Jobcentre regarding unemployment benefit.
  • Proof of the number of family members in the household , for example, if available, a copy of an extended registration certificate, a marriage certificate or the children’s birth certificates

Processing time

Depending on the number of applications received, the processing time may take several weeks or months.

If your case is urgent and you can provide evidence of this – for example, by showing a provisional offer of a training place or a job offer, or by referring to a university application deadline – the relevant authority may endeavour to process your application more quickly.

Miscellaneous

Visits in person are only possible by prior appointment.

Detailed information

Legal basis

Landeshochschulgesetz (LHG)

  • § 58 Hochschulzugang

Gesetz über die Angelegenheiten der Vertriebenen und Flüchtlinge (Bundesvertriebenengesetz - BVFG)

  • § 10 Prüfungen und Befähigungsnachweise

Landesanerkennungsgesetz

EU-Richtlinien und zwischenstaatliche Vereinbarungen zur Anerkennung beruflicher Befähigungsnachweise

Release note

machine generated, based on the German release by: Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart, 27.05.2026