How to Apply for a Statement of Comparability at ZAB Germany

If you’re planning to move to Germany for studies or a job search, having a university degree alone isn’t enough, it must also be officially recognized in Germany. The fastest and easiest way to check this is through the Anabin database.

But suppose your degree or university isn’t listed or can’t be evaluated through Anabin for example, if your university is mentioned as H- in the database, in that case, you’ll need to get your qualifications individually assessed and obtain a Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung). This is one of the key requirements if you’re applying for the recently introduced Opportunity Card.

Even in cases where this is not mandatory, it is better to get a ZAB recognition, because this can improve your chances of being hired, especially in fields where competition is high. I’ll take you through the entire ZAB process step by step—how it works, what it costs, and what to expect.

Before we get into the actual application, let’s talk a bit about ZAB and the Statement of Comparability. The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) is Germany’s main accreditation body for recognizing foreign certificates and degrees. The main job of ZAB is to collect, evaluate, and publish information on foreign education systems in the Anabin database. However, it also provides Statements of Comparability for foreign higher education qualifications and Certificates of Equivalence for vocational qualifications obtained outside Germany.

When evaluating a foreign qualification, ZAB typically checks three key factors:

1. Was the training successfully completed?

2. Is the qualification officially recognized in the country of origin?

3. Does it meet the minimum requirement of a full-time study program?

If the qualification meets these criteria, ZAB issues an official certificate that provides a detailed description of the foreign higher education qualification and explains how it aligns with German education standards. This certificate is officially known as the Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung).

How Can You Apply?

First, some good news—the entire ZAB recognition process can now be completed online, which wasn’t the case before. So to get started, visit the ZAB website. If you’re not fluent in German, the first thing you should do is look for the language switch option in the top-right corner and change it to English. This will make navigation easier and ensure that you understand all the steps clearly. Next, navigate to the “Statement of Comparability” section and click on the “Application” tab. Here, you’ll find all the important details about the process, including the required documents, fees, and expected processing times.

From there, you can begin your application and the process involves four simple steps:

1. Create an account

2. Fill out the Application Form

3. Upload the required documents

4. Make the payment

So let’s start with the first step—creating an account.

Step 1: Create An Account

On the “Statement of Comparability” page, click on the “Apply now” button. This will redirect you to the BUND-ID website. BUND-ID is a digital identification system used to access various government services in Germany. It acts as a single platform where you can register, securely submit documents, and track your application progress.

Once on the BUND-ID page, switch the language to English using the option in the upper right corner. Then, click “Create Account” and choose your preferred method of account creation. If you are a non-EU national, the simplest and most recommended option is to select “Username and Password.”

To create your account, enter your personal details and email address, and you will receive a confirmation code via email. After verifying your email by entering the code, you will need to create a username and password and set a security question and answer. Once done, you will receive a confirmation email indicating that your account has been successfully created. Now that you have set up your account, let’s move on to the second step, gathering the necessary documents.

Step 2: Documents

Once you’ve created an account, the next step is to gather the necessary documents. The exact documents required depend on your country of education and degree qualification. Fortunately, the ZAB website provides a pre-check page, where you can enter your details to get a list of the specific documents required for your application.

While the requirements may vary based on country and degree, here are some of the most commonly required documents:

• Certified photocopy of your official diploma or degree certificate in English

• University-attested copies of your mark sheets or transcripts, either in a sealed envelope from your university or sent directly from your university to zabservice@kmk.org.

• Preceding university degrees. For example, if you want your master’s degree to be evaluated, you also need to submit a copy of your bachelor’s degree certificate.

• Your secondary school graduation certificates

• Identity document, such as passport

• Completed application form with your signature

In some cases, you may also need to submit proof of work experience and German language proficiency. If your foreign documents are issued in Arabic, English, French, Italian, or Spanish, you do not need to submit a German translation. However, for documents in other languages, officially certified translations must be provided. Once you have gathered all the required documents, you can start with the application process.

Step 3: Fill the Application Form

To start the application, log in again using your BUND ID username and password. Once signed in, you will be automatically redirected to the ZAB website, where you can begin the application process. The interface may switch back to German, so change it to English if needed.

Go to the “Application” tab and click “Apply Now.” This will take you to the online application form where you will need to enter your personal details, including your full name, address, and contact information. If you have previously applied for a Statement of Comparability, select “Yes” in the relevant section.

Next, you will need to enter details about your academic history, such as period of study, graduation date, and date of issue of your degree certificate. If you hold multiple degrees, such as a bachelor’s degree alongside a master’s, you will need to enter details for both. Additionally, you must provide information about your secondary school qualification.

If you have already received a job offer that meets the requirements for an EU Blue Card, select “Blue Card beantragt” and tick the box “Employment contract for the Blue Card is attached.” After completing these sections, you will need to upload all required documents, including your university degree certificate and any other supporting documents based on your application. If you do not have all the documents ready at this moment, you can submit them later, but keep in mind that this may delay the processing time. Finally before proceeding, carefully review all the provided information and give your consent to complete this section and move to the last and final step.

Step 4: Pay the Fees

Depending on the type of application you are making, the ZAB Germany process will require you to pay a fee. If this is your first application for a Statement of Comparability, the fee is €208. If you only need a replacement for an already issued Statement of Comparability, the cost is €104. You can make the payment through PayPal, credit card, or bank transfer, which you have three weeks to complete. Once the payment is successfully processed, your application will enter the review stage.

Now the processing time can range anywhere from two weeks to three months, depending on the purpose of your application. If you are applying for an EU Blue Card, the processing time is approximately two weeks. For those applying for a Skilled Worker Visa, the processing time is around two months. For all other purposes, the standard processing time is three months.

You can always track the progress of your ZAB application by logging into your BUND-ID account. Simply click on “My Account” and then select “My Applications” to see your application and check the status.

If there are any updates, such as requests for additional documents or changes to your personal details, you can make the necessary modifications directly through your account.

Once your evaluation is complete, your ZAB Statement of Comparability will be available for download through your BUND-ID account.

The Statement of Comparability will include:

• Proof of identity (name, birthdate, birthplace)

• Key details of your degree, including its level and field of study

• A statement confirming that your degree is recognized in your country of origin and meets the required minimum duration.

Now you can submit it along with your visa application.

Disclaimer: The Content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal or other advice. It is important to do your own analysis before making any decision.