You sent a CV to a company in Munich, got a reply, and the first thing HR asks is: “Can you confirm your degree is recognized in Germany?” You open Google, search “anabin” - and land on a page entirely in German with cryptic statuses like H+, H-, “entspricht”, “gleichwertig”. Let’s break it down step by step.
What anabin is and who runs it¶
Anabin is the official database of KMK (Kultusministerkonferenz - the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education in Germany), operated by ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen - the Central Office for Foreign Education). It’s free to use and requires no registration.
The database contains thousands of universities worldwide - and for each one, there’s an assessment of whether it’s considered equivalent to a German Hochschule. For specific degree types and programs, there are separate entries with comparability ratings.
Who uses anabin: - Employers verifying your degree before hiring - Consulates and Ausländerbehörde when processing Blaue Karte EU (Blue Card) or work visa applications - Universities when you apply for a master’s or PhD - You personally, to understand your options before starting the process
Important: anabin only provides information - it doesn’t officially “recognize” your diploma. It’s a reference tool, not a legal act. Official recognition happens either through ZAB (Statement of Comparability) or through a relevant professional body depending on your field.
Two checks: university and degree separately¶
This is the most critical point that most people miss. In anabin you need to check two separate sections - and both need to be “positive” for everything to work.
Step 1 - check your university
Go to anabin.kmk.org/no_cache/filter/institutionen.html
There: 1. In the “Land” (Country) field - select Ukraine 2. In the name field - enter your university name
You’ll get a university card showing its H+, H- or H+/- status.
Step 2 - check your specific degree
Go to anabin.kmk.org/no_cache/filter/hochschulabschluesse.html
Search by: 1. Country (Ukraine) 2. University name 3. Or degree title (Bakalavr, Magister, Specialist, etc.)
The result appears in the “Äquivalenzklasse” column - that’s your assessment.
Save or print screenshots of both pages - the university page and the degree page. Some authorities ask for both.
What H+, H- and H+/- status means¶
| Status | Meaning | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| H+ | University is recognised as equivalent to a German Hochschule | Good. Now check your degree too |
| H+/- | Partial recognition - depends on specific program or degree | Need to check the degree assessment in detail |
| H- | Not recognised as equivalent | Need Zeugnisbewertung through ZAB |
An H+ university status is necessary but not sufficient. If your university is H+ but your specific degree isn’t in the database or has a weak assessment - it doesn’t help. Check both blocks.
Degree assessments: entspricht, gleichwertig and bedingt vergleichbar¶
Found your degree in the second section - now look at the Äquivalenzklasse column:
“entspricht” - your degree corresponds to a specific German qualification. For example, “entspricht dem deutschen Hochschulabschluss Bachelor” means your bachelor’s degree = German Bachelorabschluss. This is the best possible outcome.
“gleichwertig” - equivalent, with no significant differences. Also a positive result, fully acceptable for visa applications and employers.
“bedingt vergleichbar” - conditionally comparable. This is more complicated - it usually means there are some questions around study duration, curriculum, or level. In most cases you’ll need to contact ZAB for individual assessment.
If your degree is completely absent from the list - that’s not necessarily the end, but you’ll need to act through ZAB (more on that below).
The Ukrainian name problem: how to find your university¶
This is where most people get stuck. Anabin stores Ukrainian university names in Latin transliteration, not in Cyrillic and not in English. Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv appears there as something like “Kyivskyj nacionalnyj universytet imeni Tarasa Shevchenka”.
If you can’t find it, try multiple approaches:
- Write the name in Latin letters using Ukrainian transliteration rules (ky- instead of ki-, shch for щ)
- Try abbreviations (KNU, KPI, NAU, etc.)
- Search by just one keyword, like “Shevchenko” or “Polytechnic”
- Check if the university changed its name - if so, try the old name too
If you still can’t find it after trying all variants - that doesn’t mean the university “isn’t recognised”. It might simply not be entered in the database yet, or recorded differently. In that case, your only path is a Statement of Comparability through ZAB.
As stated by the official Make it in Germany portal:
If your university degree is not listed in the ANABIN database, this does not necessarily mean that your degree is not comparable with a German degree.
“Not found” ≠ “not recognised”. It just means you need one more step.
Four scenarios and what to do in each¶
Scenario 1: H+ and “entspricht”/”gleichwertig”
Best possible outcome. Take screenshots or save PDF versions of both pages (university + degree). This is usually enough for: - Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) application - Work visa application - Most employers
Tip: some authorities want a printed version with the date of the search. Save as PDF and print a copy just in case.
Scenario 2: H+/- with a positive degree assessment
H+/- means the university is only partially recognised - depending on the program. But if in the “Hochschulabschlüsse” section your specific degree got “entspricht” or “gleichwertig” - that’s positive.
Again, save both screenshots. But note: some authorities (especially for Blue Card) may still ask for a Statement of Comparability from ZAB even with H+/-. Check with the specific office you’re applying to.
Scenario 3: H- or university not found
You need a Zeugnisbewertung (Statement of Comparability) - an official document from ZAB. This is a paid, formal procedure. Details below.
Scenario 4: “bedingt vergleichbar”
Contact ZAB or the authority you’re submitting documents to (Ausländerbehörde, university, etc.) and clarify their requirements. In some cases “bedingt vergleichbar” is accepted, in others it’s not.
Statement of Comparability: when anabin isn’t enough¶
If anabin didn’t give you a clear positive result - or you want an official document rather than just a screenshot - apply for a Statement of Comparability through ZAB.
This is an official certificate that compares your foreign diploma to an equivalent in the German education system. It’s valid across all of Germany, forgery-proof, and delivered digitally to your BundID account.
Cost: €208 (as of 2024-2025, set by the State of Berlin). If the statement can’t be issued for reasons beyond your control, up to 50% may be refunded.
Processing time: - Standard procedure: around 3 months - Expedited for Blue Card: around 2 weeks
How to apply: 1. Create a BundID account (Germany’s general government services account) 2. Complete the form on the ZAB website online 3. Pay €208 (PayPal, card, or SEPA transfer) within 3 weeks of submitting 4. Send the physical documents by post
Documents required: - Notarised copy of your diploma with certified translation - Notarised copy of your diploma supplement/transcript with certified translation - Signed application form (printed from the ZAB website)
This is where you need a beglaubigte Übersetzung (certified translation) from a vereidigter Übersetzer (sworn translator). A regular translation - even a high-quality one - won’t be accepted by ZAB. The translation must be certified by a translator who has taken an oath before a German court and holds the relevant stamp.
Which documents need translation for ZAB¶
If you’ve reached the ZAB application stage, here’s the minimum translation package:
| Document | Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| University diploma | Yes, beglaubigte Übersetzung | Mandatory |
| Diploma supplement / Transcript of Records | Yes, beglaubigte Übersetzung | Usually mandatory |
| Academic transcript (if separate) | Yes | If requested by ZAB |
| Birth certificate | Rarely | If surname has changed |
Rough cost of certified translation: €50-100 per page. A diploma is usually 1-2 pages; the supplement can be 5-12 pages depending on your university and program.
You can find a sworn translator through the official German database justiz-dolmetscher.de, or order a certified translation online at ChatsControl - AI produces a draft, then a sworn translator reviews and stamps it.
If your diploma is old or from the Soviet era¶
Some Ukrainians have diplomas issued before 1991 - Soviet-era documents. Or from the 1990s, when university names changed frequently.
For these cases: - Search both the old and new university name - anabin may have both - If the university was renamed or reorganised, ZAB may request archival documents confirming the reorganisation - Soviet and post-Soviet “Specialist” degrees (5-year programs) are usually compared to Diplom FH or Magister depending on the field
A typical case: a client from Kharkiv had a 1993 diploma - the university wasn’t in anabin at all (it had been renamed twice). ZAB accepted the application, requested an archival certificate from the university confirming the institutional changes, and issued the Statement of Comparability in about 3 months. The main thing is not to panic - just submit the documents.
Practical tips before you start¶
A few things that will save time:
Save both screenshots right away. Some authorities want a printed PDF with the date of the search. Save as PDF, not just a screen capture.
Check the degree title exactly. If anabin has “Bakalavr” and your diploma says “Бакалавр” in Ukrainian - that’s the same thing. But if you have “Спеціаліст” (Specialist) and the database only shows “Magister” - don’t assume they’re the same automatically.
For Blue Card - check with Ausländerbehörde first. Some districts (Landratsamt) accept anabin screenshots; others require a Statement of Comparability from ZAB. Find out before you submit anything.
Don’t wait for a rejection. If it’s already clear your university is H- or not found - apply to ZAB in parallel with other documents, don’t wait. Three months is the real timeline.
As noted by the official Chancenkarte portal:
You usually need to check both your university and your degree. Checking only one of them can give you an incomplete answer.
Checking only the university and assuming “all good” is one of the most common mistakes.
FAQ¶
Do I have to apply to ZAB if my university is H+ in anabin?¶
Not always. If the university is H+ and the degree shows “entspricht” or “gleichwertig” - most authorities accept the anabin printout without a Statement of Comparability. But some offices and some employers still ask for a ZAB document for extra certainty. Always check with the specific authority you’re dealing with.
How much does a ZAB Statement of Comparability cost?¶
€208 for a standard assessment (price set by the State of Berlin, current as of 2025). Payment via PayPal, credit card, or SEPA transfer within 3 weeks of submitting the application.
My university isn’t in anabin - does that mean my degree won’t be recognised?¶
No. Not being in anabin doesn’t mean rejection. It means the database hasn’t been updated for that institution yet, or the name is recorded differently. Apply to ZAB - they conduct their own assessment and often issue a positive Statement of Comparability even for universities not in anabin.
Is anabin accepted for a Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) application?¶
Yes, in most cases. For the Blue Card you need to prove your degree is equivalent to a German qualification. If anabin shows H+ + entspricht/gleichwertig, that’s usually sufficient. But some Ausländerbehörde offices ask for a ZAB Statement of Comparability. Check with the specific office where you’re submitting your documents.
How long does the ZAB process take?¶
Standard assessment: around 3 months. For Blue Card there’s an expedited option - approximately 2 weeks. To use the expedited option, state in your application that it’s for Blue Card purposes and include supporting documentation.
I have a 5-year Specialist diploma - how is it assessed?¶
The Soviet and post-Soviet “Specialist” degree (5-year program) is typically compared to Diplom FH or Magister depending on the field and university. Some ZAB decisions equate it to a Masterabschluss. The exact assessment depends on the specific program - you’ll only know through ZAB or by checking the “Hochschulabschlüsse” section in anabin where specific “Specialist” entries may exist.
Do I need an apostille on my diploma for ZAB?¶
ZAB generally accepts notarised copies without an apostille - but requirements can vary. Check the current document checklist at zab.kmk.org/en/statement-comparability/application before submitting.
Where do I find a sworn translator for my diploma translation?¶
The official database of sworn translators in Germany is justiz-dolmetscher.de. You can also order online at ChatsControl - certified translation with postal delivery or digital version.
Sources¶
- Anabin - official KMK database - search for universities and degrees
- Statement of Comparability - ZAB - official recognition procedure page
- ZAB - Application requirements - document checklist and application steps
- ZAB - Fees - current cost: €208 (as of June 2024)
- KMK - Ukraine Informationen - special provisions for Ukrainians (digital copies accepted, machine translation, procedure without originals)
- Make it in Germany - Foreign academic qualifications - official guide for using the anabin database
- Anerkennung in Deutschland - Higher education qualifications - official German credential recognition portal
Always check anabin for current status - the database is updated regularly and university ratings can change. If your university was H- a year ago, it’s worth checking again.
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