How do I get my Israeli degree recognized in Germany?

Getting your Israeli degree recognized in Germany is a prerequisite for most German work visas, including the Skilled Worker Visa (Fachkräftezuwanderungsgesetz) and the EU Blue Card. Germany has a structured but sometimes slow recognition system.

Step 1: Check the anabin database

anabin.kmk.org is the official German database of recognized foreign higher education institutions and degrees, maintained by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education (KMK).

How to use it:

1. Go to anabin.kmk.org
2. Search for "Israel" as the country
3. Look up your university
4. Find your specific degree type (Bachelor, Master, Diplom)

Status ratings:

• H+ = The institution is recognized; individual degrees need no further assessment
• H+/A = Recognized but some degrees require further assessment
• H- = Not recognized (rare for major Israeli universities)
• Not listed = Needs formal assessment

Israeli universities in anabin: Most major Israeli universities are listed with H+ or H+/A status:

• Technion – Israel Institute of Technology: H+
• Tel Aviv University: H+
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem: H+
• Ben-Gurion University of the Negev: H+
• Bar-Ilan University: H+
• University of Haifa: H+
• Weizmann Institute: H+ (research degrees)
• IDC Herzliya (Reichman University): check current status

Step 2: If your degree needs assessment — uni-assist

If your institution or degree is not listed in anabin, or is listed as H+/A (requiring assessment), you need a formal assessment.

uni-assist.de is a centralized application and assessment service for international students and graduates in Germany:

• Apply online at uni-assist.de
• Submit your degree certificates, transcripts, and identity documents
• uni-assist assesses the equivalency and issues a Statement of Comparability (Bescheinigung der Vergleichbarkeit)
• Processing time: 6–12 weeks (can be longer in peak periods)
• Cost: approximately €75–€200 depending on the number of documents

Alternative: Statement of Comparability from KMK/anabin For non-academic purposes (work visa, not university application), you can obtain a Statement of Comparability directly from the KMK (Kultusministerkonferenz).

Step 3: For regulated professions

Germany distinguishes between unregulated professions (where you just need the degree recognized) and regulated professions (where you must also obtain a professional license from the competent authority).

Regulated professions requiring separate licensing:

• Medicine (Approbation): Apply to the relevant Landesprüfungsamt (state examination office). Requires: degree recognition + German language skills (C1 medical German) + professional reliability check. Processing: 6–18 months.
• Dentistry and pharmacy: Similar to medicine
• Law: The German bar requires German legal training; an Israeli LLB typically does not directly qualify, and further study is usually needed
• Engineering (building/civil): In many states, the German Chamber of Engineers (Ingenieurkammer) must assess and approve
• Nursing and healthcare: The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) coordinates via recognition advisors

Unregulated professions (most tech, business, science roles): You only need the degree recognized via anabin/uni-assist. No additional license is required. This covers software engineering, data science, marketing, finance, and most STEM roles.

For vocational qualifications

If you have an Israeli vocational qualification (e.g., a tech diploma from an Israeli college), Germany has a separate recognition process through BIBB (Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training). Visit anerkennung-in-deutschland.de to start.

Translation requirements

German authorities require certified German translations of all documents. Use a sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer) for German courts and public authorities, as regular translation is not sufficient. Costs: €50–€200 per document.

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