If an electrician has a professional qualification from abroad, the question arises as to whether the qualification must be recognised in Germany. In fact, the legal situation is such that not all professional qualifications have to undergo a recognition procedure.

If a profession is not regulated, it is not legally protected. This means that no recognition procedure is required for a foreign professional qualification. This includes, for example, the profession of electrician. Yes, that's right, an electrician's professional qualification obtained abroad does not necessarily have to be recognised in Germany.

However, this does not mean that the company is not obliged to ensure that the employee deployed is professionally qualified to carry out the work of an electrician. This requirement remains in place. In addition, recognition of a foreign professional qualification is possible on a voluntary basis for the profession of electrician. This helps the electrician concerned, for example, to find a job that corresponds to their qualifications.

Once again, this means that the profession of electronics technician is not regulated and a certificate from abroad does not require recognition. However, recognition is helpful in order to prove the qualification and thus find a job.

What does the process of recognition look like?

If recognition is desired, the relevant procedure can be completed voluntarily. An application to the competent authority is sufficient. This can, among other things here be found. Some documents must also be submitted for this. These are

• The application itself, either as a form from the competent authority or as an informal application
• Proof of identity, for example a passport
• Proof of qualification, i.e. the applicant's certificates
• Proof of what the professional qualification entails and how long it lasts.
• The marriage certificate, if the person concerned has changed their name due to marriage
• The CV
• Proof of further qualifications (attendance of seminars or further training courses)
• Proof of intention to take up employment in Germany
• If an application has already been submitted, information about this must be provided, including information about the office where this previous application was submitted

The processing of such an application usually takes 1 to 3 months and begins with the submission of all required documents. Once the procedure has been successfully completed, a notice of recognition is issued for the certificates.

Of course, it can always happen that some certificates or other documents are missing. If this is the case, there is another option. The applicant can then prove their skills in a practical test. In addition, an adaptation period can also be attended, which then serves as proof of qualification.

Do I have to prove my language skills?

No special language skills need to be demonstrated for the application itself and the associated procedure. It is only a matter of recognising the qualification. The competent authority compares the qualification with the requirements for practising the profession in Germany.

However, this only applies to the electrician profession and other, non-regulated professions. For certain other licences, such as doctors, German language skills are already required in the recognition procedure.

However, this does not mean that no knowledge of German is required for an electrician. Quite the opposite. Electricians work with customers and in teams. Accordingly, they must also be able to communicate in this country. This means that although they do not have to prove their knowledge of German for the recognition procedure, they do have to prove it for employment in a company.

What does it cost to have a professional qualification recognised?

The recognition procedure usually costs 100 to 600 Euro. There are additional costs. An application for financial support can be submitted for this. This relates to all costs associated with submitting the application. This includes fees, travelling expenses and translation costs. You can also seek advice on this.

What are the advantages of having an electrician's professional qualification from abroad recognised?

A recognition procedure is time-consuming and involves costs. It is therefore important to know what advantages it brings in order to tackle it in the first place. For the future of work in Germany, these look like this:

1. Same possibilities: With recognition, the electrician concerned has exactly the same opportunities to work in Germany as an electrician who was trained in Germany. This means that the international skilled worker is now equal to the German skilled worker in all respects.
2. The confirmation: With the recognition procedure, the electrician receives a certificate that his training is equivalent to the German training. This is certified in the certificate in German. This not only officially confirms the qualification, but also gives the person concerned a higher status. In Germany, an official document from a recognised body is required for everything and this is exactly what the electrician in question has with the certificate of recognition.
3. Transparency: The notice of recognition certifies that the training for the person concerned corresponds to the German training. In return, the applicant receives the original certificate and can then add a copy to their application. Companies often explicitly ask for this certificate of recognition.
4. Accelerated job search: With the certificate, it is much easier to find a job in Germany. There is no need to make any compromises in terms of salary. This is particularly important for finding your first job and for equal pay.
5. An easy ascent: With the recognition certificate, it is easier to make a career. As it is required throughout your career, it makes it easier to move up to a higher position and therefore to a higher salary bracket.
6. Master craftsman and self-employment: Building on the equivalence that is certified with the recognition, it is now also possible to take advantage of further training to become a master craftsman. If this is successfully completed, the path to self-employment is open.
7. The recognition of a master: If you already have a qualification at the level of a master craftsman from abroad, this can also be recognised. This recognition then paves the way to all the opportunities, including self-employment, that a master craftsman title confers.
8. Work permit and job search: If the skilled worker in question comes from a third country, formal recognition is a prerequisite for obtaining a permit to enter the country and work.

How does the process of professional recognition work?

A number of steps must be taken to start the process and bring it to a successful conclusion. This begins with submitting the application and the associated documents to the responsible office. This can be done in person on site.

Alternatively, it is also possible to send the application with the copies of the documents, not the originals, by post to the competent authority. Some authorities also allow the recognition procedure to be carried out electronically. In this case, it is sufficient to submit the application by e-mail. The documents can then be submitted as a scan or sent in by post. If originals are required, certified copies should be submitted.

Alternatively, some organisations also offer an online portal where the application can be completed. The documents can then be sent in by post. Again, no originals should be sent.

The relevant chambers of crafts and trades offer a great deal of help with applications. The relevant counselling in particular should be used before submitting the application in order to ensure that the process is successful as quickly as possible.

The competent authority will then confirm receipt of the application and the documents within one month. The assessment will then be finalised within 3 months. Three outcomes are possible: recognition, partial recognition and non-recognition.

What is the outcome of the professional recognition procedure?

The best result for the recognition procedure is the Recognition of professional qualifications. This certifies that the foreign electrician has vocational training that fulfils German requirements. This means that the person concerned now has the same rights as any other electrician with a German qualification.

The partial recognition

Partial recognition is a little trickier. This certifies that part of the vocational training of the person concerned corresponds to the requirements of German training. However, other parts show considerable differences. These differences cannot be compensated for by other qualifications or professional experience.

The notice associated with this describes the existing differences. This makes it possible to take a so-called adaptation qualification. It is then possible to submit a new application and have the qualification recognised.

No recognition

If recognition is not granted, this means that the qualification for the profession in no way fulfils the requirements of German training. The differences are clearly too great. This completely rules out recognition of even just some parts.

Legal action can be taken against this decision if necessary. To do so, you must pay attention to the information on legal remedies and seek legal advice. However, not being recognised is not the end of the world.

What if only partial recognition was granted to the electrician?

If the electrician is already in Germany and is allowed to work here, he can practise his profession even without recognition. If partial recognition has been granted, there is still the option of an adaptation qualification.

However, if the person concerned is not in Germany, they can enter the country for the adaptation qualification. Even partial recognition has the advantage that employers are better able to understand the existing qualification. This also makes it easier to undertake further training, which then provides a sufficient qualification.

The procedure for late repatriates

There are two procedures for recognising late repatriates. One is the procedure described here. On the other hand, the procedure according to §10 BVFG, the Federal Expellee Act, can also be chosen. This provides a further option for obtaining recognition if the procedure described here is unsuccessful.

Partial training abroad

If an existing vocational qualification from abroad is not or only partially recognised in Germany, it is possible to complete training abroad. This should be recognised in a standardised procedure in Germany. For example, these options are available:

• The EuroSkill-plus programme: This allows trainees to complete work placements abroad in the UK, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic, which are recognised in Germany. These have a duration of 4 weeks and are available in Plymouth in the UK, Brescia in Italy, Barcelona in Spain and Strakonice in the Czech Republic.
• Internships abroad according to the Europassistent programme: These last 3 weeks and can be here find.

Adaptation courses are often at the end of a recognition procedure. This enables foreign skilled workers to learn everything they need to know to fulfil German requirements.

The courses close gaps that exist in vocational training and familiarise the various participants with the regulations and standards that are relevant to the respective profession in Germany. For electrical engineering, both practical and theoretical knowledge is taught here.

Adaptation qualifications are now also offered as online courses. This makes it easier to participate and familiarise yourself with the standards, regulations and applicable safety rules.

If you pass the course, you will receive a certificate confirming your participation and the knowledge you have acquired. This makes it easier to successfully pass a recognition procedure.

Similar topics from the electrical industry:

• Electricians from abroad - recognition of certification of qualifications
• Electrician - training, salary and further training
• What tasks does an electrician perform in the area of production systems?
• The electronics technician for machine and drive technology
• Temporary employment of electricians from Eastern Europe
• Recruitment of foreign specialists