How to Check If Your Qualifications Are Recognised in Germany

TL;DR

Before you can study in Germany, your qualifications need to be recognised. The process depends on whether you are applying for a Bachelor's or a Master's course.
For Bachelor's applicants: use the DAAD admission database to check whether your school-leaving certificate qualifies you for direct entry, or whether you need a [preparatory course](/(/guides/what-is-studienkolleg).
For Master's applicants: use the anabin database to check whether your university and degree are recognised in Germany.
If your qualification is not listed or the result is unclear, you can request a formal Statement of Comparability from the ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education).
Many universities use uni-assist to evaluate international credentials on their behalf. Check early whether your target university requires it.
Start this process early. Recognition can take anywhere from a few days to several months.

Why recognition matters

Germany has its own standards for what counts as a valid qualification for university admission. Your school diploma or university degree from your home country may not automatically be accepted.

This does not mean you cannot study in Germany. It means you need to verify how your qualifications are assessed, and in some cases, take an extra step to get them formally recognised.

Skipping this step is one of the most common mistakes international students make. A student with a well-regarded degree from India, for example, may still find their specific programme unlisted on anabin. If your qualification is not recognised, your application will be rejected, regardless of how strong your grades are.

Heads up

Do not assume your qualification is recognised just because your university is well-known in your home country. Germany uses its own evaluation framework, and the result can vary by country, institution, and even by specific degree.

Two key tools

There are two main tools for checking your qualifications. Which one you use depends on what level of study you are applying for.

DAAD admission database

Best for: Bachelor's applicants checking school-leaving certificates.

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers a free online database that covers around 140 countries. You enter your country, your type of school-leaving certificate, and it tells you one of three things:

Direct admission — Your certificate is fully recognised. You can apply to Bachelor's courses directly.
Subject-restricted admission — You can apply directly, but only for certain subject areas.
Studienkolleg required — Your certificate is not sufficient for direct entry. You need to complete a one-year preparatory course first.

This check is non-binding, meaning the final decision always lies with the university. But it gives you a reliable first indication.

Pro tip

Run this check as early as possible, ideally before you start preparing your application. It only takes a few minutes and can save you months of wasted effort.

The anabin database

Best for: Master's applicants and anyone checking whether a university degree is recognised.

Anabin is the official German database for evaluating foreign educational qualifications. It is maintained by the ZAB on behalf of the Standing Conference of Education Ministers (KMK). It is the reference that German authorities and many universities use.

Anabin lets you check two things:

Is your university recognised? Search under "Institutionen" (Institutions) for your university. You are looking for an H+ status, which means the institution is recognised in Germany.
Is your specific degree recognised? Search under "Hochschulabschlüsse" (University Degrees) for your degree type. You are looking for a rating of "entspricht" (corresponds to) or "gleichwertig" (equivalent to) a German degree.

You need both a positive result: H+ for the university and a positive equivalence rating for the degree.

Important

H+ status for your university alone is not enough. It only confirms that the institution is state-recognised in your home country. You also need a positive evaluation of the degree itself. Do not skip the degree check.

Using anabin

Anabin can feel confusing at first because the interface is in German and the structure is not always intuitive. Here is how to navigate it.

Check your university

Go to anabin.kmk.org
In the menu, select "Institutionen" (Institutions)
Under "Länder" (Countries), select the country where you studied
Optionally narrow down by city
Find your university in the list
Look for the status:

H+ — Recognised. Your university is accepted as a legitimate higher education institution.
H+/- — Recognised with conditions. The degree itself needs to be checked individually.
H- — Not recognised. This will make admission significantly harder.

Check your degree

In the anabin menu, select "Hochschulabschlüsse" (University Degrees)
Select your country and degree type
Look for the "Bewertung" (Evaluation) section
The key ratings are:

"entspricht" — Your degree corresponds to a specific German degree level
"gleichwertig" — Your degree is considered equivalent
No rating listed — Your specific degree may not have been evaluated yet

What to print

If you need anabin excerpts for a visa application or university submission, print:

The page showing your university's H+ status
The page showing your degree's equivalence rating

Both documents together form your proof of recognition. You can print them directly from your browser.

Good to know

The degree name on anabin must match the degree name on your actual diploma. If it says "B.A. in Political Science" on anabin but your diploma says "B.A. in Political Studies," authorities may not accept it. When in doubt, request a formal Statement of Comparability instead.

Not listed?

It is common to find that your university is listed but your specific degree is not. This usually happens because no one with that exact degree from your institution has ever been formally evaluated in Germany.

You have a few options:

ZAB Statement of Comparability

This is the most reliable route. The ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen) issues an official document that confirms whether your degree is comparable to a German qualification.

Apply online at zab.kmk.org
The official processing time is around three months, but it can vary widely. Some applicants report receiving results in a few weeks, while others wait longer.
Cost: around €200
If you are applying for an EU Blue Card, mention this in your application as it may be processed faster.

Pro tip

Start the ZAB application as early as possible, even before you have your university admission letter. Best case, you have the document ready and do not need it. Worst case, you need it urgently and it takes months to arrive.

University evaluation

Some German universities assess foreign qualifications themselves without relying on anabin. This is more common for Master's programmes. If the university accepts your degree and issues an admission letter, many consulates will not require a separate anabin printout for your student visa.

However, universities that use uni-assist for processing applications do rely on credential evaluation. In those cases, uni-assist checks your qualifications against anabin and other references on behalf of the university.

Bachelor's vs Master's

The recognition process works differently depending on your study level.

	Bachelor's applicants	Master's applicants
What is checked	School-leaving certificate	University degree
Main tool	DAAD admission database	anabin database
Possible outcomes	Direct entry, restricted entry, or Studienkolleg	Recognised, conditionally recognised, or not listed
If not recognised	Attend Studienkolleg	Apply for ZAB Statement of Comparability
Typical evaluator	uni-assist or the university	University, uni-assist, or ZAB

Browse courses in Germany

Browse courses

Now that you know how your qualifications are assessed, find courses that match your profile.

FAQ

Is anabin only for work visas?

No. Anabin is used for both university admissions and work visa applications. For students, it is especially relevant when applying for a Master's course or when a university uses uni-assist to evaluate your credentials. It is also sometimes referenced by consulates for student visa applications.

University is H+ but degree not listed?

Yes, you can still apply. Many universities evaluate credentials themselves, especially for Master's programmes. However, if your degree is not listed on anabin, consider requesting a ZAB Statement of Comparability as a backup. This avoids delays if the university or visa office asks for formal proof.

How long does ZAB take?

The official estimate is about three months, but processing times vary. Some applicants receive their statement within a few weeks, while others wait longer. A new digital system has sped up some cases. If you need the statement for an EU Blue Card, mention it in your application for faster processing.

What does H+/- mean on anabin?

H+/- means your university is recognised, but with conditions. Typically, this means the specific degree needs to be evaluated individually. Check the degree entry on anabin or request a ZAB evaluation to clarify.

Does an acceptance letter replace anabin?

For student visa purposes, a university acceptance letter (Zulassungsbescheid) is usually the key document. Most consulates will not additionally require an anabin printout if you have been accepted by a German university. However, the university itself may have used anabin during the admission process.

Certificate not recognised at all?

In rare cases, a certificate may not qualify for university study in Germany. If this applies to you, Studienkolleg is usually not an option either. You may need to complete additional education in your home country before applying, or explore alternative pathways. Contact the international office of your target university for advice.

Can I use anabin without speaking German?

The anabin interface is in German, but you can navigate it with a browser translation tool. The key terms to look for are "Institutionen" (Institutions), "Hochschulabschlüsse" (University Degrees), "H+" (recognised), "entspricht" (corresponds to), and "gleichwertig" (equivalent).