Academic recognition enables international professionals with a university degree from abroad to access the German labor market. The statement of comparability for foreign university degrees is an official certificate that classifies a foreign university degree within the German education system. It serves as official proof of qualification to employers, authorities, and embassies. Those who already know that a statement of comparability is required for their professional plans in Germany will find all important information about the procedure here.

Content and scope of credential evaluation

The statement of comparability documents central information about the acquired university degree. It contains the designation of the degree, the name of the degree program, and the university at which the degree was obtained. Additionally, information on the duration of studies, the type of study, as well as the place and date of graduation are listed.
An essential component is confirmation that both the university and the degree program are state-recognized in the country of origin. The statement of comparability classifies the foreign degree at a comparable level in the German education system – for example at the bachelor’s level or master’s level.
Additionally, the statement of comparability contains general information on university access in the country of origin, on holding academic degrees, and on professional recognition in Germany.

Opportunities and advantages

The statement of comparability opens various perspectives for international professionals in Germany.

• Improvement of opportunities in the labor market: The statement of comparability makes a foreign degree understandable and comprehensible to employers. It demonstrates the value of the qualification in the German context, thus facilitating the application for positions that require an academic degree.
• Enabling entry and residence: For applying for a visa for employment or an EU Blue Card, proof must be provided that the foreign university degree is comparable to a German degree. The statement of comparability fulfills this requirement.
• Fulfillment of application requirements: Many employers require a statement of comparability as proof of qualification. Without this document, an application is often not possible.
  Important: For regulated professions, a separate recognition procedure for professional practice at the respective competent recognition authority is required. Further information on recognition in regulated professions can be found here.

Requirements

To apply for a statement of comparability, the following requirements must be met:

• Completed university degree from abroad.
• State-recognized university at which the degree was obtained.

Verification via the ANABIN-Database

Before submitting an application, it can be verified in the ANABIN database whether a statement of comparabitlity is required at all. ANABIN is a database of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) that provides information on the assessment of foreign educational qualifications. The verification process works as follows:

1. Search for the institution: The institution should be rated “H+”
2. Search for the degree: The degree should be classified as “corresponds” or “equivalent”

If both conditions are met, the ANABIN printouts can be used directly as proof for authorities and for the visa. An additional statement of comparability is not required.
An individual statement of comparability from ZAB is required if the institution is rated “H+/-“ or “H-“ on ANABIN, is not listed, or if the dree is not listed or clearly assessed.
Note: Incomplete degree programs cannot be assessed through a statement of comparability. There is a separate procedure for recognition. More details are available here.

Application submission

The statement of comparability is issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). The Central Office for Foreign Education is the central office in Germany for the evaluation of foreign university degrees and evaluates degrees from around the world.
The application can be submitted completely digitally via the ZAB’s online platform.

Application procedure

1. Access ZAB website: on the Central Office for Foreign Education homepage, select the “Statement of Comparability” section and click “Submit Application”. Automatic forwarding to the BundID platform follows.

2. Create BundID account: Registration with ZAB requires a BundID account. International professionals from third countries select the registration option “Username and Password” and only need a valid email address. After entering personal information, the account is set up.

3. Return to ZAB platform: After successful registration on BundID, forwarding back to the ZAB website follows to submit the application.

4. Add personal information: After successful registration, name, date of birth, place of birth, country of birth, nationality, current address, and contact details are provided.

5. Indicate previous applications: It must be stated whether a statement of comparability has previously been applied for at ZAB.

6. Degree information: Country of degree, acquired academic degree, name of university, degree program, field of study, type of degree (bachelor’s, master’s, diploma, etc.) as well as graduation date are entered. The system automatically checks whether a statement of comparability is possible and provides immediate feedback.

7. Upload Documents: The following documents are uploaded digitally: graduation certificate in original language, transcript of records (grade overview), copy of passport. Important: all documents should be uploaded directly with the application. Missing documents can lead to delays or rejection of the application.

8. Indicate purpose of use: It is stated for what purpose the statement of comparability is needed, e.g., for applying for an EU Blue Card or for applications.

9. Declaration and submission: After reviewing all information, it must be confirmed that the information provided is correct. Then the application is submitted.

10. Payment of fee in ZAB portal: Under “My Area” a message with payment request appears. The fee can be paid by PayPal, credit card, or bank transfer. Processing of the application begins only after receipt of payment.

Required Documents

To avoid delays, all required documents should be checked for completeness. A pre-check is available on the website of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). This shows which documents are required in individual cases and whether certifications or certified translations are necessary. In general, the following documents are needed for the application:

• Valid passport (copy)
  
• University graduation certificate (original as scanned PDF)
  
• Transcript of records
• Additional graduation certificates (if additional degrees should be credited)
  
• Proof of credited achievements (if available)
  

Important notes, practical tips, and time frame for application

After completion of processing, the digital statement of comparability is delivered directly to the electronic mailbox – additional sending of documents by mail is not necessary. The digital document is valid throughout Germany, forgery-proof, and significantly expedites use for applications or dealings with authorities.
The statement of comparability is valid indefinitely and can be used for any number of applications. For questions about the procedure or required documents, ZAB offers consultation.
The application for a statement of comparability should be submitted early, as processing can take several weeks. Sufficient time should be planned especially before planned applications or visa applications. The statement of comparability can already be applied for from abroad.

Processing time and fees

Processing of a statement of comparability typically takes several weeks. The exact duration depends on the individual case, particularly on whether all documents were submitted completely and whether additional examinations are necessary. The fee for a statement of comparability is currently 208 euros. Since this amount may change, the current fee amount should be checked on the ZAB website before application submission. Payment is made online via the ZAB platform.