Recognition of foreign school education in Germany: the role of the Schulamt and the EQ programme for refugees and young newcomers
When refugee or migrant children and teenagers arrive in Germany, some crucial questions arise:
Will their school certificates be recognised?
Can they continue their education at a similar level?
And can they enter vocational training (Ausbildung) even if there are gaps compared to the German school system?
To answer these questions, it is important to understand the role of the local school authority (Schulamt) in evaluating certificates, as well as the opportunities offered by the EQ – Einstiegsqualifizierung programme as a practical bridge towards vocational training and the formal vocational education system.
The first institution dealing with school education is usually the Schulamt (local school authority) of the respective federal state.
What does the Schulamt do?
It assesses foreign school certificates (e.g. lower secondary or upper secondary certificates).
It decides which grade level a pupil can be placed in.
It refers the pupil to an appropriate school, for example:
a welcome class / preparatory class (Willkommensklasse / Vorbereitungsklasse), or
directly to a regular class, if language skills and prior knowledge are sufficient.
In some cases, it issues a certificate (Bescheinigung) stating the assessed level of the foreign qualification.
Procedures vary from one federal state to another, but the final decision always lies with the Schulamt, not with the individual school alone.
A rough comparison of foreign certificates with the German system might look like this:
| Foreign school certificate | Approximate German equivalent |
|---|---|
| Primary education (about 6 years) | Grundschule (not sufficient on its own) |
| Lower secondary (about 9 years) | Hauptschulabschluss |
| Intermediate secondary (about 10 years) | Realschulabschluss |
| General upper secondary / school-leaving exam | Abitur / higher education entrance qualification |
Recognition also depends on:
the content of the education,
the grades and overall performance,
the total number of years of schooling.
In most cases, a certified translation of the certificates is required.
If the foreign school certificate is not fully recognised, the young person has several options. They can:
continue their schooling in a German school to obtain a German-recognised certificate, or
enter the EQ – Einstiegsqualifizierung programme.
EQ (Einstiegsqualifizierung) is a programme funded by the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
It is designed for young people who have not yet been offered a vocational training place, including:
refugees and recently arrived migrants,
young people whose certificates are not fully recognised,
early school leavers and those who did not follow a traditional school path.
Benefits of the EQ programme
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Practical qualification | Partial on-the-job training in a real occupation (6–12 months) |
| Monthly allowance | A small monthly remuneration, funded via the Federal Employment Agency |
| Gateway to Ausbildung | Good chance to move on to a regular vocational training contract |
| Official participation certificate | An official certificate, improving future application prospects |
Under certain conditions, the company can count the EQ period as part of the regular training period in a subsequent Ausbildung.
Typically:
young people aged around 17 to 25 (sometimes up to 27),
those who have not yet secured a vocational training place,
refugees holding a Duldung (tolerated stay) or Aufenthaltsgestattung (temporary residence during the asylum procedure), subject to conditions,
holders of temporary or humanitarian residence permits.
Participation usually requires work permission from the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde), which is often granted for EQ programmes.
Have your certificates translated and certified.
Contact the local Schulamt or a central recognition office (Zentrale Stelle für Anerkennung).
Undergo a placement test or assessment interview, if required.
Obtain a written statement on the recognised level of your certificate.
Move on to:
a suitable school, or
an EQ scheme.
Start practical training or targeted preparation for an Ausbildung.
In many larger cities, there are educational and career counselling centres (Beratungszentren für Bildung und Beruf) that:
support refugees and migrants in school and career orientation,
help with finding EQ placements and suitable schools.
Organisations such as Jobcenter, Caritas, AWO and other welfare associations also provide:
accompaniment in the application process,
support in approaching companies,
help with paperwork for EQ and later vocational training.
The recognition of foreign school certificates in Germany is the first step towards a clear educational and professional path.
If the certificate is not recognised immediately, this is not the end of the road: programmes such as EQ offer a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience and later access to regular vocational training (Ausbildung).
The Schulamt and the Federal Employment Agency play a central role in this journey. Those who seek advice early and make use of the available programmes can gradually build a stable educational and professional future in Germany.
The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors cannot be completely ruled out and some details may be uncertain or subject to change. Therefore, the contents of this article should be regarded as an initial point of reference; for binding and up-to-date information, please always consult the competent authorities and professional advisers.
