Foreign professional qualification Recognition of health professions

The responsibility lies with the Lower Saxony State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Family.

The application can be submitted electronically. The transmission of the application and the attachments (pdf format) is possible without an electronic signature by notification e-mail to the responsible office.

• Application for a determination of the equivalence of health professions for EU and third-country nationals
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form and signed in German
• Simple copy of proof of identity (ID card/passport)
• Your diploma in your home language and in German translation and, if applicable, a certificate of authorisation to practise in your country of origin, in your native language and in German translation
  (Note: In the case of nursing training or midwifery/maternity nursing training within the EU, it is sufficient to present the diploma / your authorization in your native language.)
• Detailed overviews in your native language and in German translation showing the theoretical and practical subjects with hours of training / study.
  (Note: In the case of nursing training or midwifery/maternity nursing training within the EU, these documents are initially dispensable.)
• Detailed overviews in your native language and in German translation of the internships completed during the training / studies with information on the job characteristics and the number of hours.
  (Note: In the case of nursing training or midwifery/maternity nursing training within the EU, these documents are initially dispensable.)
• An individualized curriculum with disaggregated content
  (Note: In the case of nursing training or midwifery/maternity nursing training within the EU, these documents are initially dispensable.)
• If you do not yet have a place of residence in Lower Saxony, but intend to work in Lower Saxony in accordance with your requested professional title: Documents that prove the seriousness of your declaration of intent to work in Lower Saxony. For example: job requests, cover letters or contacts from a contracted recruitment agency
• Other certificates of formal qualifications, provided that they are suitable for determining equivalence, in your native language and in German translation
• If the application process is not to be handled by you personally, but e.g. by a recruitment agency or another person you trust, an original power of attorney created by you personally is required. If the costs of the application procedure, including any necessary expert opinions, are borne by the authorised person, the application must also be accompanied by a corresponding confirmation from the authorised person in the original.

• More information about required documents

Fees apply (depending on the amount of work).

• Recognition procedure for training courses in health professions completed abroad

Deadlines may have to be observed. Please contact the competent authority.

The processing time is a maximum of 4 months from the date of receipt of all documents relevant to the decision.

respective professional laws

• Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BQFG)