Which Indian Degrees are Accepted in Germany? Full Recognition Guide 2026

Akanksha Tripathi

5 min read

Updated On Feb 23, 2026

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Is your Indian BTech, BSc Nursing or MBA degree accepted in Germany in 2026? Recognition depends on your university's ANABIN status & your profession. Some degrees are automatically valid while others require formal approval. Find out what applies to you

Which Indian Degrees are Accepted in Germany?

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What is ANABIN and Why Does it Matter for Indian Degree Recognition in Germany?
Recognition Process for聽Indian Nursing Degrees in Germany
Indian Medical Degrees Recognized in Germany
Indian Engineering and IT Degrees Accepted in Germany
When Do You Need a Statement of Comparability in Germany?
Documents Required for Indian Degree Recognition in Germany
Plan Your Move to Germany With 成人每日大赛 Immigration Assistance

Germany is honestly one of the best destinations for Indian professionals right now, and the good news is that the degree recognition process is quite well-defined and accessible. The country recognizes over 1,500 Indian universities in its official ANABIN database as of 2026, which means most Indian degrees have a clear pathway to acceptance.

For regulated professions like nursing and medicine, there is a formal recognition process that ensures your qualifications are meeting German standards. Many professionals are often unsure about聽which Indian degrees are accepted in Germany, but once you understand the system, things become much clearer. Knowing about Indian degree recognition in Germany early on will really help you plan your move smoothly and with confidence.

What is ANABIN and Why Does it Matter for Indian Degree Recognition in Germany?

If you've earned your degree outside of Germany, ANABIN is honestly your starting point. It is a comprehensive database maintained by the Central Office for Foreign Education, also known as ZAB, that evaluates and recognizes foreign educational qualifications for those looking to work, study or even immigrate to Germany.

ANABIN Status	What It Means
H+ (University)	University is fully recognized in Germany
H+/- (University)	Only certain courses or programs are recognized
H- (University)	University is not recognized
Gleichwertig (Degree)	Degree is fully equivalent to a German degree
Entspricht (Degree)	Degree corresponds to a German degree with no significant differences
Not Listed	Degree or university not evaluated yet, apply for Statement of Comparability

Recognition Process for聽Indian Nursing Degrees in Germany

Healthcare in Germany is one of the most in-demand sectors right now, with a shortage of approximately 30,000 to 40,000 nurses across hospitals and elderly care facilities. For Indian nurses, this is a genuine and growing opportunity. However, Indian nursing degrees accepted in Germany must go through a formal recognition process known as Anerkennung, handled by state health offices.

Nursing jobs in Germany fall under regulated professions, meaning you cannot practice until your qualification is officially recognized by German authorities. This applies to both BSc Nursing and GNM diploma holders from India. Check below for the recognition requirements:

Indian Nursing Qualification	Recognition Process	Additional Steps Often Required	Timeline
BSc Nursing (4 years)	Full Anerkennung through state health office	Knowledge test or adaptation course if gaps identified	3 to 6 months
GNM Diploma (3 years)	Full Anerkennung through state health office	Adaptation course or knowledge test more likely	4 to 8 months
MSc Nursing	Full Anerkennung, evaluated at BSc level	Knowledge test or adaptation course if required	3 to 6 months

Indian Medical Degrees Recognized in Germany

Medicine is a regulated profession, which means foreign-qualified doctors need to get official recognition or a professional license before seeing any patients.

If you hold an Indian MBBS degree, your qualification gets assessed by state-level medical boards in Germany. The process usually involves document verification, an equivalence assessment, and passing the Kenntnispr眉fung, which is basically Germany's medical licensing exam. A lot of Indian doctors also end up completing supervised clinical work in German hospitals as part of their recognition pathway. It fulfills a requirement, yes, but it also gives you real hands-on experience inside the German healthcare system, which is honestly quite useful when you are just starting out there.

Compare: Opportunity Card vs Work Visa vs Study Route

Indian Engineering and IT Degrees Accepted in Germany

If you work in a non-regulated field like engineering or IT, the process is honestly a lot more straightforward. Formal recognition isn't required to work in these fields, but if you're applying for an EU Blue Card or Work Visa, you will need to show that your degree is comparable to a German qualification.

The good news is that most Indian engineering degrees from AICTE-approved universities and IT degrees from UGC-recognized institutions are already listed in ANABIN with H+ status, which basically means they are widely accepted without much hassle. Go ahead and check below for some of the commonly accepted degrees:

Field	Commonly Accepted Indian Degrees
Computer Science and IT	BTech, BE, BSc, MSc, MCA from IITs, NITs, and UGC-recognized universities
Engineering	BTech, BE, MTech in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical from AICTE-approved institutions
Business and Management	MBA, BBA, BCom from UGC-recognized universities (for non-regulated roles)
Science	BSc, MSc in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotechnology from recognized universities

When Do You Need a Statement of Comparability in Germany?

If your university holds H+ status in ANABIN but your specific degree hasn't been individually evaluated, or if your university carries an H+/- status, you'll need a Statement of Comparability from ZAB. This is basically an official document that formally describes your foreign qualification and confirms which German education level it is comparable to.

The application requires certified copies of your degree certificate, transcripts, and university details. Standard processing usually takes somewhere around 2 to 4 months, which I know sounds like a while. But if you're an EU Blue Card applicant and already have a work contract in hand, expedited processing can actually come through in about 2 weeks which makes a pretty big difference.

Quick Read: Part-Time Work Rules on Germany Opportunity Card

Documents Required for Indian Degree Recognition in Germany

Check below for the complete list of documents needed for Indian degree recognition in Germany in 2026:

Document	Why It Is Needed
Degree Certificate	Proof of qualification
Mark Sheets and Transcripts	Detailed academic record
ANABIN Excerpt	Proof of university and degree recognition
Statement of Comparability	If degree not listed in ANABIN
Apostille or Embassy Attestation	Legal authentication for use in Germany
Certified German Translation	All documents must be in German or English
Passport Copy	Identity verification
Language Certificate (B2 for regulated professions)	Proof of German proficiency

Plan Your Move to Germany With 成人每日大赛 Immigration Assistance

Your Indian degree recognition in Germany journey does not have to be overwhelming. Knowing which Indian degrees are accepted in Germany is the first step, especially for regulated professions where Indian nursing degrees in Germany and Indian medical degrees in Germany require formal Anerkennung. But with the right support, it is entirely manageable.

Germany offers exceptional career opportunities for skilled Indian professionals across healthcare, engineering, IT and beyond.If you want expert support on degree recognition, ANABIN verification, ZAB applications and the full visa process, reach out to Germany Immigration Assistance and take the first step toward a smooth and successful transition to Germany.

Book Your Free Consultation

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if my Indian degree is recognized in Germany?

Start by heading over to the ANABIN database at anabin.kmk.org and search for your university first, then look for your specific degree title. Ideally you want your university to carry H+ status and your degree to be marked as Gleichwertig or Entspricht. And if your degree isn't listed there, don't panic, you'll just need to apply for a Statement of Comparability from ZAB before you move forward.

Do I need German language skills to get my nursing degree recognized in Germany?

Yes, you do. For nursing degree recognition in Germany, you'll need at least B2 level German proficiency, along with a specialist language examination that tests your medical and nursing vocabulary specifically. B1 might help you get through the visa stage, but most healthcare employers and recognition authorities treat B2 as a firm minimum, so it's better to get there sooner rather than later.

How long does the degree recognition process take for Indian nurses in Germany?

If you hold a BSc Nursing degree, you're generally looking at around 3 to 6 months from the point of submitting your complete documents to the state health office. For GNM diploma holders though, it can stretch closer to 4 to 8 months since the curriculum differences often require an adaptation course or knowledge test. Also worth keeping in mind that timelines can vary quite a bit depending on which German state you're applying in.

Can I work in Germany with my Indian engineering degree without getting it recognized?

For non-regulated professions like engineering and IT, you actually don't need formal recognition to work in Germany, which is great news. That said, if you're applying for an EU Blue Card or a Work Visa for Qualified Professionals, you will need to show that your degree is comparable to a German qualification. The good news is that most degrees from IITs, NITs, and AICTE-approved universities are already listed in ANABIN, so the process tends to be a lot simpler than most people expect.

Do Indian MBBS doctors need to pass an exam to practice in Germany?

Yes, they do. Indian MBBS graduates are required to pass the Kenntnispr眉fung, which is basically Germany's medical licensing exam that tests your knowledge according to German standards and is conducted entirely in German. Most doctors also go through a period of supervised clinical work in German hospitals before they receive full licensing. It's a demanding process no doubt, but it genuinely helps you settle into the German healthcare system rather than feeling completely lost in a new setup.

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