The recognition of international academic degrees by the authorities is on the rise.
Last year, there was a 25% surge in the recognition of foreign professional qualifications by authorities compared to the year prior, with significant growth in the medical and nursing fields. Approximately one in ten positive decisions involved a qualification from Turkey.
In 2021, German authorities saw a rise in approvals for foreign professionals looking to have their qualifications recognized, with a total of 65,300 applications being granted, a considerable 25% increase from the 52,000 approvals in 2020, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office. This marked a considerable leap from the 8% increase in approvals observed in 2020. Around 2,300 applications were denied.
About 70% of the approved recognition processes were for medical professions. Over half, or 56%, of all procedures, were for nursing. Doctors made up 14%, followed by engineers, educators, and teaching staff.
Of the 61,300 approved applications, 94% were submitted by foreign nationals. Around one in ten positive decisions involved a qualification from Turkey, the highest among all foreign countries. Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Philippines, Tunisia, Syria, India, and Ukraine followed in the rankings.
The number of new applications escalated by 26% to 62,100 in 2021. In total, authorities handled 81,700 procedures. Since statistical recordings began in 2016, the number of applications has more than doubled.
In light of the increasing approval rates, the German care system is now more accessible to foreign professionals, particularly those in the medical and nursing fields. The highest number of approved qualifications from a foreign country came from Turkey, indicating a significant contribution to the German care system.
