Anabin Database Guide: Check If Your Degree Is Recognized in Germany

If you studied outside Germany, you may need to prove that your university degree is recognized or comparable in Germany. This matters when you apply for a German work visa, the EU Blue Card, a job, or a study program.

The Anabin database is one of the first places to check this. It is an official German database run by the Central Office for Foreign Education, known as ZAB. It gives information on how foreign universities and qualifications are assessed in Germany.

Anabin can be useful, but it is not always easy to use. The database is in German, and you usually need to check more than one page. This guide explains what Anabin is, when you need it, how to use it, what the results mean, and when you may need a ZAB Statement of Comparability instead.

What Is the Anabin Database?

Anabin is a database for the recognition and assessment of foreign education qualifications. The name comes from the German phrase "Anerkennung und Bewertung ausländischer Bildungsnachweise."

According to the official Anabin page, the database provides information that helps German authorities and universities assess foreign education documents. It also helps employers, employees, and the public understand the value of a foreign qualification.

Anabin includes information on foreign universities, higher education degrees, school qualifications, vocational qualifications, and education systems by country. The official Anabin page also states that the database does not claim to be complete. This means your university or degree may not appear, even if it is valid in your home country.

Who Needs to Use Anabin?

You may need to use Anabin if you want to:

• Apply for a German student visa or work visa
• Apply for the EU Blue Card
• Prove your foreign degree to an employer
• Check if your degree is comparable to a German qualification
• See if you need a ZAB Statement of Comparability

Anabin can sometimes be enough proof for a German visa. This is usually the case when your university and degree are both listed and show a positive result.

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Which Anabin Section Should You Use?

Anabin has different sections for different types of qualifications. The right section depends on what you want to prove.

Anabin vs ZAB: What Is the Difference?

Anabin and ZAB are connected, but they are not the same thing.

ZAB states that a Statement of Comparability can serve as proof of your qualification for German government offices, embassies, and employers. ZAB also states that visa and EU Blue Card applicants must show that their university degree is comparable to a German qualification, and a Statement of Comparability can be used for this.

Before You Start: What You Need

Before you search in Anabin, prepare your documents and names carefully. This makes the search easier. You will need:

• The country where your university is located
• The official university name from your degree documents
• The old university name, if the university was renamed
• The official degree name
• Degree level, such as Bachelor's or Master's
• Field of study
• Your graduation certificate and transcript

Anabin may write names from languages such as Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, or Greek in Latin letters. For example, Anabin lists this Ukrainian university name: "Черкаський державний технологічний університет". In Anabin, it may appear as: "Cerkaskyj derzavnyj technolohicnyj universytet".

If you cannot find your university, do not search only for the English name. Try the original name, the Latin spelling, and different spellings.

How to Use the Anabin Database

The most important thing to understand is this: you usually need to check both your university and your degree. Checking only one of them can give you an incomplete answer.

Step-by-step guide

Check Your University and Degree in Anabin

Use this section while you are on the Anabin website. The German menu names are included, so you know what to click.

1

 

Open the official Anabin website

Go to anabin.kmk.org. The database is in German. Start with Institutionen if you want to check your university.

German words to know: Institutionen means institutions. Hochschulabschlüsse means higher education degrees.

2

 

Search for your university

Click Suchen nach Institutionen. Select the country where your university is located. Then enter the name of your university or part of the name in the free text search field.

3

 

Open the university result and check the status

When you find your university, click its name. Then look for the Status section.

H+

The university is recognized in Germany.

H+/-

The result depends on the exact case. More criteria may apply.

H-

The institution is not recognized as a higher education institution.

4

 

Search for your degree

Now go to Hochschulabschlüsse. Click Suchen nach Abschlüssen. Select the country where you received the degree. Then search by degree name, degree type, or field of study.

5

 

Open the degree result and check the assessment

Click the degree name. Then look for the section called Bewertung. This means assessment.

Positive results: entspricht means corresponds to a German degree. gleichwertig means equivalent to a German degree.

6

Save your proof

Save or print both Anabin pages: the university result and the degree result. Keep them together with your visa, job, or university application documents.

Important: An H+ university result is a good sign, but it is not enough on its own. You also need to check your exact degree in Anabin.

What the Anabin Results Mean

The Anabin terms can be confusing at first. Use these cards as a quick guide.

When Is Anabin Enough?

ZAB states that a foreign university degree can be checked in Anabin. If the degree program and the university are both listed with the required evaluation, the degree is considered comparable to a German university degree. In that case, ZAB says a Statement of Comparability is not necessary.

In simple terms, Anabin may be enough when your university is listed with the right status and your degree is listed with a positive assessment.

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When Do You Need a ZAB Statement of Comparability?

You may need a ZAB Statement of Comparability if:

• Your university is not listed in Anabin
• Your degree is not listed in Anabin
• The Anabin result is unclear
• The authority handling your case asks for it
• An employer asks for it, especially in the public sector

ZAB states that the Statement of Comparability is an official certificate. It shows details such as the degree name, study program, university, study length, mode of study, date and place of graduation, and the comparable German education level.

As of June 2026, a Statement of Comparability costs EUR 208, according to the ZAB fee page. ZAB states that processing begins once the fee has been received in full. Check the ZAB website for the current fee before you apply, as this may change.

Important Note for Regulated Professions

Anabin does not replace professional recognition for regulated professions. The Recognition in Germany portal states that Anabin entries and certificate evaluation do not replace the recognition procedure needed for regulated professions.

Regulated professions are jobs where Germany must legally check your qualification before you can work in that profession. This can include doctors, nurses, teachers, pharmacists, lawyers, and some other roles.

If your profession is regulated, use the official Recognition in Germany portal to find the correct recognition office.

What If You Cannot Find Your University or Degree?

Do not stop after one search. Try these steps first:

1. Try the official name. Use the name from your degree certificate or transcript.
2. Try the old name. Some universities changed names or merged with other institutions.
3. Try another spelling. Anabin may use transliterated names for languages with non-Latin letters.
4. Search by country first. Then narrow down the results slowly.
5. Check whether you need ZAB. If the required information is missing, ZAB says a Statement of Comparability can be requested.

Common Mistakes When Using Anabin

Anabin is useful, but it is easy to misunderstand if you are using it for the first time. These are the most common mistakes to avoid.

1. Checking only your university

Many people stop once they find their university listed as H+. This is not enough. H+ only tells you that the university is recognized as a higher education institution in Germany. You still need to check whether your specific degree corresponds to, or is equivalent to, a German higher education degree.

2. Checking only your degree

The opposite mistake can also happen. Some people find their degree type in Anabin and assume everything is complete. But the university also matters. Recognition in Germany states that both the university and the higher education qualification are important.

3. Misunderstanding H+

H+ is a good result, but it does not automatically mean your whole qualification is accepted for every purpose. It means the institution is recognized. Your degree result still needs to be checked separately.

4. Ignoring H+/-

H+/- does not simply mean yes or no. It means the result depends on the exact case. For some countries or institutions, extra criteria may apply. If your university is H+/-, read the details carefully and check whether your exact degree is listed under that university.

5. Searching with the wrong name

Anabin may not use the English version of your university or degree name. Try the official name from your certificate, the local language name, an older university name, or another spelling. Anabin also states that names from languages with non-Latin letters may appear in transliterated form.

6. Assuming "not listed" means "not recognized"

If your university or degree is not listed, it does not automatically mean your qualification is invalid. Anabin states that the database does not claim to be complete. If the information you need is missing, you may need a ZAB Statement of Comparability.

7. Using old screenshots or forum answers as proof

Do not rely only on screenshots from other people, old blog posts, or forum comments. Anabin can change. Always check the official Anabin database yourself and save your own result pages.

8. Forgetting to save the result pages

After you find the correct result, save or print the university page and the degree page. Keep both together. You may need them for a visa application, employer request, university application, or ZAB-related question.

9. Using Anabin for a regulated profession without checking recognition rules

Anabin does not replace professional recognition for regulated professions. This matters for jobs such as doctor, nurse, teacher, pharmacist, and lawyer. If your profession is regulated, use the official Recognition in Germany portal to find the correct recognition process.

10. Mixing up study, work, and visa requirements

Anabin can be used for various purposes, but the exact requirements may depend on your situation. A university application, EU Blue Card application, student visa, and regulated profession check may not ask for the same proof. Always check the requirements for your specific route.

Next Steps

Once you have checked Anabin, you will have a clearer picture of where you stand. If your results are positive, save both pages and include them in your application documents. If your results are unclear or your university is not listed, consider applying for a ZAB Statement of Comparability.

If you are planning to study in Germany, your next step after qualification recognition is usually preparing your visa application. You will also need to show proof of financial means, which is where a Blocked Account comes in. Most German student visa applicants are required to open one before their appointment.

Not sure where you are in the process? The StudyBuddy Checklist walks you through each step, from checking your qualifications to applying for your visa.