Recognition of foreign professional qualifications reaches new high

The Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB) has published the latest statistics on the Recognition Act for 2024. The figures are clear: Never before have so many people applied for recognition of their professional qualifications acquired abroad in Germany . A total of around 71,000 applications were submitted – an increase of 14 percent compared to the previous year. Particularly striking is that 22,425 applications were submitted by nursing professionals. As in previous years, this profession remains the top performer. The medical profession follows in second place with 10,857 applications.

Nursing and healthcare professions in focus of skilled worker immigration

Statistics clearly show that demand for recognition is greatest in the healthcare professions . Several thousand applications for recognition came from India, Tunisia, Turkey, and the Philippines alone in 2024. Ukraine also recorded a particularly strong increase: with around 3,500 applications, the number more than doubled compared to the previous year . This trend highlights how dependent Germany is on the international immigration of skilled workers to meet the growing demand in the healthcare sector. For many applicants, recognition is the first and most important step toward entering the German labor market.

Recognition, integration and fair procedures

For VISAGUARD’s target group – international skilled workers who want to work and live in Germany – professional recognition is a decisive factor . This is not just about the formal equality of qualifications, but also about fair and transparent procedures. The “ Fair Recruitment in Nursing Germany ” seal of quality sets important standards to ensure that recruitment is carried out ethically and legally. At the same time, programs such as the INGA Nursing adaptation course or the “ Welcome Culture & Integration Toolkit ” offer practical support with professional and company integration. This is precisely where it becomes clear that successful immigration is more than just the recognition of qualifications – it requires holistic support that combines legal advice, integration management and sustainable working conditions.

Conclusion: Recognition as the key to securing skilled workers

The current figures are a positive signal for the German labor market : More and more qualified professionals from abroad are taking on the hurdles of the recognition process. This not only increases the number of recognized professional qualifications, but also the potential to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in important sectors such as nursing and the medical professions. At the same time, it remains a challenge to make the procedures efficient, fair, and transparent. For international professionals, this means that anyone who dares to take the step to Germany needs competent support – be it with the application process, with legal questions, or during the integration process. This is precisely where VISAGUARD comes in, connecting qualified migrants with specialized lawyers and thus enabling a successful future in Germany.