Degree recognition for the EU Blue Card: how Anabin works

Who this guide is for

• Blue Card applicants whose university does not clearly appear in Anabin.
• Applicants comparing a foreign degree to the German qualification framework.
• People in regulated professions who need a licence in addition to degree recognition.
• Employers checking whether a candidate's degree will be accepted for the Blue Card application.

What you need

• The exact name of your university or higher education institution, in its original language.
• Your degree certificate and transcript of records.
• Certified translations, where the visa office or authority requests them.
• Knowledge of whether your intended profession is regulated in Germany.

Step-by-step process

1. 01

   Look up your institution in Anabin

   Search the Anabin database (Hochschulverzeichnis) for your institution by its official name. The entry shows a status code that tells you how the institution itself is assessed, before you even look at your specific degree.

2. 02

   Read the institution status code

   H+ means the institution is recognised as a state or state-recognised higher education institution. H- means it is not recognised as such. H+/- means the assessment depends on the specific programme or period of study, which requires a closer look rather than a blanket answer.

3. 03

   Check the degree comparability entry

   Anabin also lists comparability statements for specific degree types from specific countries, showing which German degree level a foreign qualification is considered equivalent to. Not every degree and country combination is listed.

4. 04

   Request a Statement of Comparability if Anabin is inconclusive

   If your institution or degree is not clearly covered, the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) can issue an individual Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung) on request. This is a paid, individual assessment rather than an automatic lookup.

5. 05

   Check whether your profession is regulated

   A positive Anabin or ZAB result confirms your degree is comparable — it does not authorise you to practise a regulated profession. For professions such as medicine, nursing, teaching or law, use the official Anerkennung in Deutschland portal to find the licence procedure and responsible authority.

Documents checklist

• Degree certificate (original and certified copy)
• Full transcript of records
• Certified translations of both, where required
• Proof of the institution's accreditation status, if not clearly listed in Anabin
• Application form for a ZAB Statement of Comparability, if requested
• Evidence of professional licence application, for regulated professions

Common mistakes

• Assuming a well-known university abroad automatically has H+ status in Anabin.
• Searching Anabin under a translated institution name instead of the official original name.
• Treating a ZAB Statement of Comparability as a professional licence for a regulated profession.
• Leaving the ZAB request until late in the process, since it is an individual, paid assessment.
• Not checking whether the intended profession is regulated before assuming the degree alone is enough.
• Submitting uncertified translations when the authority expects certified ones.

What happens next

• Once your institution and degree status are confirmed, keep the Anabin printout or ZAB statement with your Blue Card documents.
• If your profession is regulated, start the licence procedure in parallel rather than after the visa application.
• Move on to checking the current salary threshold that applies to your case.
• If recognition is unclear, ask the responsible authority directly rather than guessing from the database alone.

How Burokrat helps

Frequently asked questions

What does H+ mean in Anabin?

H+ indicates the institution is recognised as a state or state-recognised higher education institution in its home country, according to the Anabin database.

What if my university is not listed in Anabin at all?

An unlisted institution does not automatically mean rejection. You can request an individual Statement of Comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) to get a documented assessment.

Is a ZAB Statement of Comparability required for every Blue Card application?

No. It is generally used when Anabin does not give a clear institution or degree comparability entry. Requirements can vary by case, so check with the authority handling your application.

Does a recognised degree let me work in a regulated profession?

Not on its own. Regulated professions such as medicine, nursing or teaching require a separate professional licence, found through the official Anerkennung in Deutschland portal.

Can I start the recognition process before I have a job offer?

Yes, checking Anabin or requesting a ZAB statement can generally be started independently of having a job offer, which can save time later in the Blue Card application.

Does IT professional experience go through the same Anabin check as a degree?

No. The Blue Card's IT specialist route relies on documented professional experience rather than a degree comparability entry. Check with the responsible authority which evidence is expected.

Official sources

• Anabin database — Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
• Anerkennung in Deutschland — recognition of foreign professional qualifications

Related guides

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