Recognition of foreign vocational qualifications in the skilled crafts sector

The purpose of recognition is to make it easier for skilled crafts businesses to compare foreign vocational qualifications and to support migrants in entering the labour market in line with their qualifications.

The Leipzig Chamber of Skilled Crafts is responsible for recognising foreign vocational qualifications in the skilled crafts sector and is a programme partner of the IQ Network Leipzig (LeIQ). The Chamber assesses vocational qualifications in the skilled crafts sector that were obtained abroad. The legal basis for the recognition procedure is the »Act to improve the assessment and recognition of foreign professional qualifications« (Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz – BQFG), which entered into force in April 2012.

A) Points of contact for skilled crafts businesses

who are interested in employing migrants or already have experience doing so.

In addition to assessing foreign professional qualifications, the Leipzig Chamber of Skilled Crafts provides information and guidance on requirements for employing migrants (e. g. residence and employment law, language training) and offers support.

B) Points of contact for migrants and anyone who has completed a qualification abroad

for any questions about the recognition procedure

The Leipzig Chamber of Skilled Crafts provides comprehensive information and advice on all questions about the recognition procedure. As part of the recognition procedure, the foreign vocational qualification is compared with the corresponding German reference occupation and assessed for equivalence.

Antrag auf Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung nach Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz (BQFG) (PDF, 477kB)
Application for recognition of equivalence under the Federal Recognition Act (BQFG)

Antrag auf Anerkennung von Berufsqualifikationen nach Bundesvertriebenengesetz (BVFG) (PDF, 713kB)
Application for recognition of professional qualifications under the Federal Expellees Act (BVFG)

Flyer »Bewertung ausländischer Berufsabschlüsse durch die Handwerkskammer« (PDF, 3030kB)
Flyer »Assessment of foreign professional qualifications by the Chamber of Skilled Crafts«

This section includes the »Integration through Qualification (IQ)« funding programme.

Since January 2013, the Leipzig Chamber of Skilled Crafts has been part of the nationwide »Integration through Qualification (IQ)« funding programme (IQ Network). The project aims to improve the employment prospects of adult migrants in Germany. The Leipzig Chamber of Skilled Crafts is responding to the growing demand for skilled labour and increasingly supports the qualification of foreign professionals for its member businesses.

Project focus: Support with qualification measures for migrants

Support for migrants with the recognition of their foreign professional qualifications
Advice on adaptation training to achieve full equivalence
Support with preparing for and taking external examinations

Further information

Skilled Immigration Act
Willkommen in Sachsen
Recognition in Germany – federal portal on the Recognition Act and official bodies responsible for recognition
The BQ-Portal – information on foreign vocational training systems and qualifications for businesses and competent authorities

The »Integration through Qualification (IQ)« funding programme aims to sustainably improve the labour market integration of adults with a migration background. The Regional IQ Network Leipzig project is part of the programme and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus). It is administered by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The implementation partners are the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA).