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Forestry professions; application for determination of equivalence of professional qualifications

You can have the equivalence of foreign (non-academic) forestry vocational training confirmed with a comparable German profession.

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Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen
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Procedure details

The Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture (LWK Niedersachsen) is the central nationwide body responsible for recognizing the equivalence of foreign agricultural, forestry, horticultural and domestic professions in accordance with Section 8 of the Act on the Assessment of the Equivalence of Professional Qualifications (Professional Qualifications Assessment Act - BQFG).

The Professional Qualifications Assessment Act is intended to facilitate access to the labor market for skilled workers who have acquired a professional qualification abroad. People with a state-recognized professional qualification obtained abroad can apply to have their qualification assessed and compared with a corresponding German qualification (= reference occupation).

This makes it transparent for companies what qualifications applicants have. They can then be offered appropriate employment opportunities. People from so-called third countries (= countries outside the EU) can be employed in accordance with the Skilled Immigration Act. Recognition of professional qualifications is not a prerequisite here
, but it does bring some advantages under residence law.

Anyone who has learned a state-recognized profession abroad and successfully completed an examination can apply for an equivalence assessment in accordance with the Act on the Assessment of the Equivalence of Professional Qualifications (BQFG). The application can be submitted regardless of nationality and residence status.

  • You must submit the following documents:
    • Tabular list of completed training courses and employment in German (curriculum vitae)
    • Copy of proof of identity (identity card or passport)
    • Proof of training qualification obtained abroad with German translation
    • Proof of other qualifications obtained with a German translation
    • Proof of the relevant professional experience listed with a German translation

An application for an equivalence assessment must be submitted (see "Forms").

Once the application and all required documents have been received, it will be checked whether there are significant differences between the foreign and a German vocational or further training qualification, such as a master craftsman's examination. The main criteria for the comparison are the duration and content of the training as well as proven professional experience in the reference occupation.

If documents are not available or are incomplete, further information can be provided in a supplementary questionnaire (see "Forms").

After the examination, a formal notification is issued, which provides information on whether a foreign professional qualification corresponds fully, partially or not to a German reference occupation.

You can see which initial and further training courses the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture is responsible for on the website linked above (see "Further links").

The fee framework is set out in the fee schedule of the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture. A fee of EUR 450 is charged for the determination of equivalence (according to BQFG). This must be paid before the decision is issued and can amount to up to EUR 600 in the event of significant additional processing costs (e.g. in the event of attempts to deceive).

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Standard procedure: Maximum 3 months after receipt of the necessary documents.

Accelerated procedure according to § 81 a Residence Act: Maximum 2 months after receipt of the necessary documents.

Applicants are recommended to seek advice from the relevant advisory services in advance. This will allow any questions about the recognition procedure to be answered immediately. The recognition procedure only begins once all the necessary documents have been submitted.

An action may be brought against the decision before the administrative court. An objection procedure in accordance with Art. 15 of the Act on the Implementation of the Administrative Court Code (AGVwGO) does not have to be carried out in advance. In particular, these are not "personal examination decisions" within the meaning of Art. 15 AGVwGO.

Status: 27.02.2026
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft, Forsten und Tourismus
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