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Zeugnisbewertung: How to Get Your Foreign Degree Evaluated in Germany

By the GoGermany Editorial Team · 2026-06-29

Learn how to request a Zeugnisbewertung from the ZAB, which documents you need, what it costs, and how long it takes to get your foreign degree recognized.

Why Your Foreign Degree Needs a Zeugnisbewertung in Germany

You spent years earning your university degree back home — but the moment you hand your diploma to a German employer or immigration authority, you might be met with a blank stare. Germany has one of the most structured qualification systems in the world, and without a Zeugnisbewertung (statement of comparability), your foreign degree exists in a bureaucratic grey zone. This guide walks you through exactly how to request an official evaluation from the ZAB, what documents you need, how much it costs, and how to avoid the mistakes that delay thousands of applicants every year.

Whether you're applying for an EU Blue Card, pursuing a regulated profession, or simply want to strengthen your CV, getting your credentials formally recognised is often a non-negotiable first step. If you're still figuring out where your degree fits in the German job market, check out Most In-Demand Jobs in Germany 2025: The Best Careers for Moroccan Job Seekers before diving into this process.

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What Is a Zeugnisbewertung — and Who Issues It?

A Zeugnisbewertung is an official document issued by the ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen) — the Central Office for Foreign Education — which operates under the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). It compares your foreign academic qualification to its German equivalent and states, for example, that your Moroccan Licence degree corresponds to a German Bachelor's degree.

ZAB vs. Other Recognition Bodies

It's critical to understand that the ZAB only evaluates academic degrees (university-level). It does not handle:

• Vocational qualifications (Ausbildung certificates) — these go through the relevant chamber (e.g., IHK, HWK) or the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)
• Regulated professions (medicine, law, teaching, engineering in some states) — these require a separate Berufsanerkennung from the responsible state authority (Landesbehörde)
• School-leaving certificates — handled individually by state education ministries (Kultusministerien)

If you hold a degree in a regulated profession, you will typically need both the ZAB Zeugnisbewertung and a professional recognition — so start with the ZAB and then proceed to the relevant authority.

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Who Needs a Zeugnisbewertung?

You should apply for a Zeugnisbewertung if you:

• Are applying for an EU Blue Card and need to prove you hold a qualifying degree (see EU Blue Card Germany: A Guide for Indian IT Professionals for context on how degrees feed into visa eligibility)
• Want employers to formally understand your qualification level on your Lebenslauf
• Are applying to a German university for a Master's programme that requires proof of a comparable Bachelor's degree
• Need documentation for a German residence permit based on skilled worker status
• Work in a field where employers or clients ask for formal credential proof

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Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Zeugnisbewertung

The entire application is handled online through the ZAB's official portal. Here is the process broken down:

Step 1: Check the anabin Database First

Before applying, visit anabin.kmk.org — the KMK's free database of foreign educational institutions and qualifications. Search for your country and institution. Results are colour-coded:

• Green (H+): Institution/degree is generally recognised — your application will likely be straightforward
• Yellow (H+/-): Case-by-case evaluation needed
• Red (H-): Institution not recognised — a Zeugnisbewertung may not be possible

If your institution appears in anabin, note the classification. It will influence how quickly your case is processed.

Step 2: Create an Account on the ZAB Application Portal

Go to www.kmk.org/zab and navigate to the online application portal ("Antragstellung"). You'll create a personal account and complete the digital application form, uploading documents directly.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents

This is where most delays happen. The ZAB requires certified copies, not originals. Here is the standard document checklist:

• Degree certificate (certified copy + certified German or English translation)
• Academic transcripts (all semesters, certified copy + certified translation)
• Proof of study duration (if not evident from the transcript)
• Valid passport or national ID (copy)
• Proof of name change (if applicable, e.g., marriage certificate — certified copy + translation)
• For postgraduate degrees: also include your Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts

Important: Translations must be made by a sworn/certified translator (beeidigte Übersetzung). Unofficial translations, even very accurate ones, are not accepted. In Germany, you can find sworn translators at www.bdue.de (German Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators).

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

As of 2024, ZAB fees are:

Payment is made by bank transfer after submitting your application. Your case will not be processed until payment is confirmed. Keep your payment receipt.

Step 5: Wait for Processing

• Standard processing: approximately 4–6 months (can extend to 8 months during peak periods)
• Express processing: approximately 4–6 weeks

You can check your application status through your online account. The ZAB may contact you by email to request additional documents — respond promptly to avoid further delays.

Step 6: Receive and Use Your Statement

You will receive the Zeugnisbewertung as a PDF document sent to your registered email. It is an official, stamped statement that you can share with employers, universities, and immigration authorities. There is no physical certificate unless specifically requested.

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Costs Breakdown at a Glance

• ZAB application fee: €200 (standard) / €400 (express)
• Certified translations: €50–€150 per document depending on length and language pair (Arabic-to-German translations typically cost more)
• Certified copies (notarisation): €10–€30 per document at a German notary or, from abroad, at a German embassy/consulate
• Total estimated cost: €300–€700 depending on your situation

Budget for the higher end if you have multiple degrees to translate or if your documents need apostilles.

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What Happens After You Get Your Zeugnisbewertung?

Your Zeugnisbewertung opens several important doors:

• Job applications: You can now clearly state on your Lebenslauf the German equivalent of your degree. Employers in cities like Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin increasingly request this document for skilled worker roles.
• Salary negotiations: A formally recognised qualification strengthens your position when negotiating your salary — you're no longer asking employers to take your word for it.
• Visa and residence permits: The Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act) often requires proof of comparable qualifications. Your Zeugnisbewertung is the key document for this.
• University applications: If you plan to pursue a Master's in Germany, the Zeugnisbewertung satisfies the formal admissions requirement regarding equivalent prior education.

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Common Mistakes That Delay or Derail Your Application

Thousands of applicants face unnecessary delays each year. Here are the most frequent errors — and how to avoid them:

• Submitting uncertified translations: Only sworn translators are accepted. Do not use translation apps, bilingual friends, or non-certified agencies.
• Sending incomplete transcripts: The ZAB requires transcripts for every year of study. Missing even one semester can halt your application.
• Applying to the wrong body: Confusing the ZAB with professional recognition authorities (e.g., applying to ZAB for a medical degree when you need the Landesärztekammer). Always check which body is responsible for your specific qualification.
• Not checking anabin first: If your institution is rated H- in anabin, the ZAB may reject your application. Contact ZAB directly before applying to confirm feasibility.
• Paying late: Your file is not opened until the €200 is received. Some applicants forget to pay promptly after submitting documents, losing weeks.
• Using documents not apostilled from abroad: Documents issued in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention (which includes Morocco) must carry an apostille stamp if requested by ZAB. Check requirements before sending.

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Conclusion: Don't Leave Your Degree in a Grey Zone

Your foreign degree represents years of hard work and genuine expertise. In Germany, a Zeugnisbewertung from the ZAB transforms that degree from an unfamiliar document into a formally recognised qualification that employers, universities, and immigration authorities understand and respect. The process takes time — budget at least 4–6 months for standard processing — but it is entirely manageable if you gather documents carefully, use certified translators, and submit a complete application the first time.

Once your Zeugnisbewertung is in hand, you'll be far better positioned to land interviews, negotiate fair pay, and secure the right visa. If you're ready to take the next step in your German career journey, explore How to Find a Job in Germany as a Moroccan: Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide for a full roadmap of what comes next.

Ready to start? Head to anabin.kmk.org today to check your institution's status — it takes five minutes and could save you months of uncertainty.

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