If an electrician has a professional qualification from abroad, the question arises as to whether the qualification must be recognised in Germany. The legal situation here is differentiated: Not all professional qualifications have to undergo a recognition procedure - and this has direct consequences for subcontractors and skilled workers from Eastern Europe.
Is the profession of electrician regulated in Germany?
If a profession is not regulated, it is not legally protected. This means that a recognition procedure for a foreign professional qualification is then not absolutely necessary. This also applies to the profession of electrician.
A professional qualification as an electrician obtained abroad therefore does not necessarily have to be recognised in Germany. However, this does not mean that the company is not obliged to ensure that the qualified employee is suitable to carry out the work of an electrician - this requirement remains in place.
In addition, recognition of a foreign professional qualification is voluntary for the profession of electrician. This helps the electrician concerned, for example, to find a job that corresponds to their qualification.
What does the process of recognition look like?
If recognition is desired, the relevant procedure can be completed voluntarily. All you need to do is submit an application to the competent authority - this can be done via the Portal „Recognition in Germany“ be determined. The following documents must be submitted:
- 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 - the applicant's certificates
- Proof of what the professional qualification involves 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 on this must be provided - this also includes information on the body to which this previous application was submitted
The processing of such an application usually takes 1 to 3 months and begins with the submission of all documents. Once the procedure has been successfully completed, the certificates are recognised.
If some certificates or other documents are missing, there is another option: the applicant can 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?
For the application itself and the associated procedure No special language skills be proven. 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 profession of electrician and other non-regulated professions. For certain other licences, such as doctors, German language skills are already required in the recognition procedure.
This does not mean that an electrician does not need to know German - quite the opposite. Electricians work with customers and in teams and must therefore be able to communicate in this country. This means that no knowledge of German needs to be proven for the recognition procedure, but it is required 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 also 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 costly. Nevertheless, it offers clear advantages:
- Same possibilities: Recognition gives the electrician in question exactly the same opportunities to work in Germany as an electrician who was trained in Germany - the international skilled worker is now on an equal footing with the German skilled worker in all respects.
- The confirmation: The electrician receives a certificate stating that his training is equivalent to German training - in German, officially confirmed. This also gives the person concerned a higher level of appreciation.
- Transparency: The letter of recognition certifies that the training is equivalent to German training for the person concerned. They can attach a copy of this to their application - companies often explicitly ask for this certificate of recognition.
- Accelerated job search: The certificate makes it much easier to find a job in Germany without having to compromise on equivalence.
- An easier ascent: With the notice of recognition, it is easier to make a career - to move up into a higher position and thus into a higher salary bracket.
- Master craftsman and self-employment: Building on the equivalence, further training to become a master craftsman can now also be taken up. If this is successfully completed, the path to self-employment is open.
- 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 paves the way to all opportunities, including self-employment and the title of master craftsman.
- 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 procedure and bring it to a successful conclusion. This begins with submitting the application and the associated documents to the responsible office - in person on site, by post with copies of the documents or electronically by email. Some offices also offer an online portal.
The relevant chambers of crafts and trades offer a great deal of help with applications. The relevant counselling should be used before submitting the application 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 examination will then be completed within 3 months. Three outcomes are possible:
Result 1: Recognition of the professional qualification
The best result: It is certified that the foreign electrician training has a professional qualification that fulfils German requirements. The person concerned now has the same rights as any other electrician with a German qualification.
Result 2: Partial recognition
This certifies that part of the vocational training corresponds to the requirements of German training, but that other parts show considerable differences. These cannot be compensated for by other qualifications or existing professional experience. The certificate describes the existing differences - it is then possible to take a so-called adaptation qualification and submit a new application.
Result 3: 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 too great. Legal action can be taken against this decision if necessary. 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, he may practise his profession here even without recognition. If partial recognition has been granted, there is still the option of an adaptation qualification.
If the person concerned is not yet in Germany, they can enter the country for the adaptation qualification. Even partial recognition has the advantage that employers are able to better understand the existing qualification - and to provide further training that provides a sufficient qualification.
The procedure for late repatriates
There are two procedures for recognising ethnic German repatriates: The procedure described here and the procedure according to § 10 BVFG (Federal Expellee Act). 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 - in standardised procedures that are recognised in Germany:
- The EuroSkill-plus process: Trainees in the UK, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic can complete internships abroad that are recognised in Germany. These have a duration of 4 weeks and are available in Plymouth (UK), Brescia (Italy), Barcelona (Spain) and Strakonice (Czech Republic).
- Internships abroad according to the Europassistant programme: These last 3 weeks.
Adaptation courses are often at the end of a recognition procedure. For electrical engineering, both practical and theoretical knowledge is taught here. Adaptation qualifications are now also offered as online courses - making it easier to take part and familiarise yourself with the standards, regulations and applicable safety regulations.
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