Recognition of foreign professional qualifications

Pursuant to the Ordinance on the Recognition of European Professional Qualifications (LBAV), the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) is the competent authority in this area. The LBAV is based on European law (directives 2005/36/EC and 2013/55/EU). The BVA verifies whether acquired qualifications are equivalent to the qualifications required under German law governing public service careers.

The BVA’s competence pursuant to the LBAV is limited to qualifications acquired in a Member State of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, and to careers in the federal administration. Information on cases outside the BVA’s area of competence is provided by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with which the BVA cooperates.

The recognition of qualifications does not entitle a person to employment, as each agency is responsible for its own staff matters. In addition to processing applications, the BVA provides information and advice. It responds to enquiries from potential applicants and informs agencies about the procedure in the context of their staffing plans and hiring processes.