Proving that a foreign degree is equivalent or comparable to a German one is a prerequisite for the EU Blue Card, many visas for skilled workers and the Opportunity Card. The process starts with the anabin database.

How to find your university and degree in anabin

In anabin (anabin.kmk.org) two things are checked separately: the status of the institution and the status of the specific degree. The university should clearly have “H+” status, meaning it is state-recognised and comparable to German universities.

What to do if the status is H+/- or your degree is missing

The status “H+/-” means that only certain faculties or programmes are recognised. If your degree is not in the database or the status of the institution is unclear, simple printouts from anabin are not enough. In that case you need an individual assessment.

Requesting a statement of comparability from the ZAB

The individual assessment is carried out by the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen, ZAB). You apply online through the ZAB portal, which also sets out the requirements for copies and translations of your degree certificate and transcript.

Processing time, fees and the fast-track procedure

There is a fee: check the current amount on the ZAB website; around €200 is a guideline. Processing usually takes several months. If your employer uses the fast-track procedure for skilled workers (beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren), it can be quicker.

What to check

  • Find your university's entry with H+ status under “Institutionen” in anabin.
  • Find the equivalent of your degree under “Hochschulabschlüsse”.
  • Save both pages as PDFs for your visa file.
  • Apply to the ZAB in good time if your exact degree is not listed.

Example situation

A graduate of a polytechnic institute finds his university with H+ status, attaches the printout of the comparable degree to his visa application and does not need a paid statement from the ZAB.

Next step

A clear H+ entry in anabin saves money and months of waiting; check the database before you start the visa process.

Official information on this topic

Checklists and examples are organisational recommendations. Requirements depend on the procedure, the city and your situation; check them with the relevant office before you act. Please discuss legal and tax questions with an authorised professional.

This article was prepared with the help of AI. The example illustrates the approach and does not describe a client case.