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In 2024, as in previous years, regulated medical professions dominate the recognition procedures for foreign professional qualifications in Germany. The success rate for positive recognition (full equivalence) in regulated professions ranges between 25 and 74 per cent, with minor deviations. The highest proportion of notices on full equivalence were issued for metal technology specialists (non-regulated profession) and industrial electronics technicians (non-regulated profession), each with 76 per cent. Among the regulated professions, it is geriatric nurses with 74 per cent.

The success rate of recognition procedures in Germany differs depending on the region where the foreign professional qualification was obtained. In particular, the share of cases where full equivalence was established ranges from 84% of qualifications obtained in the EU member states to 60% of qualifications obtained in candidate states for EU membership.

Since 1 January 2021, the UK is no longer a part of the EU single market or the EU customs union. The EU’s relationship with the UK including recognition procedures has thus fundamentally changed.

The share of applicants granted full equivalence in Germany varies widely among the individual professions and among the professional groups. The proportion of applicants who received full equivalence is especially high in the sales sector. On the other hand, the success rate in the law and administration sector is extremely low due to significant differences in the law and administration systems among the countries.

In 2022, as in previous years, the medical regulated professions will predominate in the recognition procedures for foreign professional qualifications in Germany. For the regulated professions, the rate of positive recognition ranges between 35 and 65 percent, except of the profession of the profession of geriatric nurse, which has a low success rate of 19 percent. The highest rate of decisions of full equivalence for the non-regulated professions was issued for cook, at 81 percent. This is immediately followed by the professions of restaurant specialist, industrial electricians, specialist for metal technology, and electrical systems technician with over 60 percent.

New Destatis figures show that last year, more foreign vocational qualifications were recognised than in previous years,. Especially against the backdrop of demographic change and the corona crisis, Germany is dependent on skilled workers from abroad.