Document Translation for Kindergarten Teachers: How to Get Anerkennung in Germany¶

A kindergarten teacher from Dnipro with eight years of experience at a Ukrainian daycare center moved to Hannover. She had a pedagogical college diploma, a portfolio of developmental programs she’d designed, and dozens of thank-you letters from parents. None of it mattered. The Jugendamt (youth welfare office) wouldn’t even look at her application - her diploma translation was done by a regular translator without sworn status, and the diploma supplement listing her coursework wasn’t translated at all. Two months of delays and 300 euros wasted on a translation she had to redo from scratch.

This is not an unusual story. Among Ukrainian educators in Germany, document translation issues are the number one reason applications stall or get rejected outright. The irony is that Germany is desperate for kindergarten teachers - there’s a massive shortage - but the bureaucratic path to recognition trips up thousands of qualified people every year.

If you’re an Erzieher/in (kindergarten teacher) from Ukraine and you want to work in a Kita (daycare center) in Germany, this article walks you through the entire process: which documents to translate, where to apply, how much it all costs, and how to dodge the most common mistakes.

Why Kindergarten Teachers Need Qualification Recognition¶

In Germany, Erzieher/in (kindergarten teacher/early childhood educator) is a regulated profession. That means you can’t work as a full-fledged educator (Fachkraft) at a Kita without getting your qualification officially recognized. Without recognition, you don’t count in the facility’s staff ratio - no matter how experienced you are. A Kita can’t list you as a qualified teacher in their Personalschlüssel (staff-child ratio), which means they can’t reduce their staffing gap with your help.

And Germany desperately needs you. According to Bertelsmann Stiftung and kita.de, over 100,000 kindergarten teacher positions are unfilled in 2026, and the shortage is projected to hit 200,000 by 2030. Only 13.7% of daycare centers meet the recommended staffing levels. In practical terms: parents wait months or even years for a Kita spot, facilities are cutting hours because they don’t have enough staff, and some groups are being temporarily closed.

For you, this means: if your paperwork is in order, finding a job won’t be the hard part. The demand is there. The bottleneck is always the recognition process and the documents that feed into it.

Here’s what recognition actually means in practice:

Factor	Without recognition	With recognition (Fachkraft)
Position	Erganzungskraft (assistant)	Fachkraft (fully qualified educator)
Salary	2,000-2,500 EUR/month	2,970-3,750 EUR/month
Responsible for a group	No	Yes
Career growth	Limited	Group leader, deputy director
Counted in staff ratio	No (or with restrictions)	Yes

Salary data for 2026 based on the TVoD SuE pay scale (the collective agreement for social and educational work). TVoD SuE covers most public and non-profit Kitas, which is where the majority of kindergarten teachers work. Salaries in Munich, Stuttgart, and Hamburg run 10-15% above the national average. Private Kitas may pay slightly differently, but they generally follow the same scale.

I worked at a Kita as an Erganzungskraft (assistant) for 9 months while waiting for my recognition. My salary was 2,200 euros. When I got recognized as a Fachkraft, it jumped to 3,100. Same job, same group of kids.

Typical experience from the Facebook group “Ukrainians in Germany”.

That’s a salary bump of roughly 900 EUR per month - or 10,800 EUR per year - for doing the same work. Even if you spend 2,000 EUR on the entire recognition process (translations, fees, courses), it pays for itself within 2-3 months. Recognition isn’t just a bureaucratic formality - it’s a direct investment in your salary.

How Recognition Works: Step by Step¶

The recognition process for kindergarten teachers is coordinated through the Landesjugendamt (state youth welfare office) or a Senatsverwaltung, depending on which federal state you live in. This is different from, say, doctors who apply to Regierungsbezirke or hairdressers who go through the Handwerkskammer. Every Bundesland (federal state) has its own responsible authority for Erzieher recognition.

Here are the most popular states and where to apply:

Federal state	Responsible authority	Where to apply
Berlin	Senatsverwaltung fur Bildung	Berlin online portal
NRW	Bezirksregierung	Based on place of residence
Bayern	Bayerisches Landesjugendamt	BLJA
Baden-Wurttemberg	KVJS	Based on place of residence
Hessen	RP Darmstadt	Online
Niedersachsen	Niedersachsisches Landesjugendamt	Based on place of residence

To find your specific authority, use the Anerkennungs-Finder: enter the profession “Erzieher/in” and your city, and the system tells you exactly where to go. Don’t skip this step - applying to the wrong authority is a common mistake that costs weeks (more on that below).

Step 1: Gathering Your Documents¶

Here’s the full document checklist:

Document	Translation needed?	Note
Diploma (pedagogical college, university)	Yes, beglaubigte Ubersetzung	Main document
Diploma supplement (subjects, hours)	Yes, beglaubigte Ubersetzung	They compare program hours in detail
Employment record book (trudova knyzhka)	Yes, beglaubigte Ubersetzung	Proves work experience
Reference letters from employers	Yes, beglaubigte Ubersetzung	Should describe specific duties
Continuing education certificates	Yes, beglaubigte Ubersetzung	If you have them
Passport	Copy, no translation needed	Certified copy
Lebenslauf (CV) in German	Not translation - writing	Format: tabellarischer Lebenslauf
German language certificate	No translation needed	B1-B2 depending on state

Key point: all translations must be beglaubigte Ubersetzung - certified translations done by a sworn translator (beeidigter Ubersetzer) who has taken an oath in a German court and carries an official seal. A regular translation, no matter how accurate, won’t be accepted by the Landesjugendamt.

The diploma supplement is often the most critical document in the package. This is where the authority sees exactly what you studied and for how many hours. If your supplement is vague or missing hour breakdowns, the authority can’t do a proper comparison with the German curriculum - and that usually means a longer adaptation requirement.

Step 2: Submitting Your Application¶

Once all documents are collected and translated:

1. Fill out the recognition application (Antrag auf Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung) - the form comes from your responsible authority
2. Submit the document package - in person, by mail, or online (varies by state)
3. The authority checks completeness (1-2 weeks)
4. Your documents go to an expert for review - they compare your training program with the German Erzieher-Ausbildung
5. Decision: full equivalence, partial equivalence, or rejection

Timeline: 3 to 4 months from the moment you submit the complete package. But if documents are missing or translations are incomplete, the clock doesn’t start ticking until you’ve provided everything. This is why getting the documents right on the first try matters so much - an incomplete submission can add 2-3 months to your timeline.

Step 3: Results - Three Possible Scenarios¶

Scenario A: Full equivalence (volle Gleichwertigkeit)

Rare for Ukrainian diplomas on the first try, but possible if you hold a bachelor’s or master’s in early childhood education plus significant work experience. You receive a recognition document and can work as a full Fachkraft immediately. In practice, this happens most often for applicants with a master’s degree and 5+ years of documented experience in a Ukrainian kindergarten.

Scenario B: Partial equivalence - Ausgleichsmaßnahmen required

This is the most common outcome for Ukrainian kindergarten teachers. The authority specifies exactly which competencies are missing - usually things like inclusive education (Inklusionspadagogik), parent engagement methods (Elternarbeit), or specific German pedagogical approaches. You then have two paths:

• Anpassungslehrgang (adaptation course) - you work at a Kita while attending classes at a Fachschule in parallel. Duration: 12-18 months. The big upside: you earn a salary during the entire program. Most Ukrainian educators choose this path because it combines work, learning, and income
• Eignungsprufung (aptitude test) - a theoretical and practical exam. Faster if you pass, but harder to prepare for without guidance. Choose this if you’re confident in your German and have strong knowledge of the German early childhood education system

Scenario C: Rejection

If the gap between your training and the German standard is too large, you’ll need to complete part or all of the German Erzieher-Ausbildung. This is rare for qualified professionals who have a pedagogical diploma and work experience. It typically only happens when someone’s education is in a completely different field and the overlap with Erzieher competencies is minimal.

My pedagogical college diploma got partial recognition - they said I was missing the inclusive education and parent engagement modules. I enrolled in an Anpassungslehrgang at a Fachschule for 14 months and got full recognition at the end. I worked at a Kita the entire time and earned a salary.

Real experience from the erzieherin.de recognition FAQ forum.

Ukrainian Teaching Qualifications and Their German Equivalents¶

The Ukrainian and German systems for training early childhood educators don’t mirror each other, so it’s important to understand how your specific diploma will be evaluated:

Ukrainian qualification	German equivalent	Recognition chances
Bachelor’s/Master’s in early childhood education (doshkilna osvita)	Erzieher/in (full)	High - usually partial equivalence with minor adaptation
Pedagogical college diploma (junior specialist / molodshyy spetsialist)	Erzieher/in	Medium - partial equivalence with Anpassungslehrgang
Primary school teacher (vchytel pochatkovykh klasiv)	Erzieher/in or Lehrer/in	Depends on study program content
Social pedagogue/youth worker (sotsialnyi pedahoh)	Sozialpadagoge/in	Additional qualification usually needed
Speech therapist, special education specialist (lohoped, defektoloh)	Separate procedure	Not evaluated as Erzieher/in

One thing that often surprises people: if you hold a university-level pedagogical degree (bachelor’s or master’s), that’s actually a higher academic level than the German Erzieher-Ausbildung, which is a vocational qualification (roughly equivalent to “post-secondary non-tertiary” in the European framework). Many Ukrainian educators have more years of formal education than their German counterparts. But the content comparison still matters - the authority looks at specific modules and hours, not just the academic level of your diploma.

The most common gaps for Ukrainian educators are:

• Inklusionspadagogik (inclusive education) - working with children with special needs in a mixed group setting. Ukrainian programs often cover special education as a separate specialization, not as a core module for all kindergarten teachers
• Elternarbeit (parent engagement) - structured parent consultation, parent meetings, developmental reporting. Ukrainian training covers this, but usually with fewer dedicated hours
• Rechtliche Grundlagen (legal foundations) - German child protection law (Kinderschutzgesetz), youth welfare law (SGB VIII), Kita operating regulations. This is Germany-specific content that no foreign program covers

For teacher (Lehrer/in) recognition, it’s a completely different process through the Kultusministerium. In Germany, a kindergarten teacher and a school teacher are different professions with different recognition paths. If you’re a primary school teacher who wants to work in a Kita, you can apply for Erzieher recognition - but you might also want to explore teacher recognition separately, since it could open different career options.

What Documents to Translate and What Type of Translation¶

This is the most common question - and the most common cause of delays. Let’s break it down.

Translation type: only beglaubigte Ubersetzung¶

For submission to any authority in Germany, you need a beglaubigte Ubersetzung - a certified translation done by a translator who has taken an oath in a German court. This translator has an official seal and legal authority to certify translations. The seal and the translator’s signature appear on every page, confirming the accuracy of the translation.

Where to find a sworn translator: - justiz-dolmetscher.de - the official database of all sworn translators in Germany. You can search by language pair and location - Through an IQ-Beratungsstelle - these advisory centers often have lists of recommended translators experienced with pedagogical documents - Online services - if there’s no sworn translator for the Ukrainian-German pair in your city

A regular translation, even from a professional translator, won’t be accepted. A notarized translation from Ukraine usually won’t be accepted either - most German states require the translator to be sworn in specifically in Germany. Always check with your specific Landesjugendamt before ordering a translation done abroad.

Translation Costs¶

Document	Approximate translation cost	Note
Diploma (1-2 pages)	30-60 EUR	Main document
Diploma supplement (4-10 pages)	80-250 EUR	Depends on number of subjects
Employment record book (10-20 pages)	150-400 EUR	Depends on number of entries
Employer reference letter	25-50 EUR	Per letter
Continuing education certificates	20-40 EUR	Per certificate
Full package (typical)	350-900 EUR	Depends on total volume

Prices current as of 2026, based on standard rates for sworn translators for the Ukrainian-German pair. The biggest variable is your employment record (trudova knyzhka) - if you worked at 5 different kindergartens over 10 years, the book could be 20+ pages with stamps, entries, and corrections that all need translation.

Option 1: Translation Agency¶

The classic approach - find a translation agency in your city through justiz-dolmetscher.de or through personal recommendations.

Pros: face-to-face contact, ability to show originals, the agency handles quality control, they’ve likely seen pedagogical documents before Cons: requires in-person visits (sometimes multiple), longer timelines (3-7 business days), prices tend to be 10-20% higher than freelancers

Option 2: Freelance Translator¶

Find a sworn translator directly through justiz-dolmetscher.de, ProZ, or word of mouth.

Pros: usually 15-25% cheaper than agencies, direct communication with the translator Cons: you need to check quality yourself, they may not specialize in pedagogical terminology (and pedagogical terms do matter - “vykhovatel” vs “pedahoh” vs “uchytel” have specific German equivalents)

Option 3: Online Services¶

A third option is online services with sworn translation, like ChatsControl. You upload a scan or photo of your document, AI creates a draft translation, then a sworn translator reviews the terminology and applies their seal, and you receive the finished PDF by email. This works well if your city doesn’t have a sworn translator for the Ukrainian-German language pair or you don’t have time for in-person visits. Price is comparable to agencies (~30-50 EUR per page), turnaround is 2-24 hours. The downside: for very old or handwritten documents (Soviet-era diplomas with unclear stamps), going through a physical agency where the translator can compare with the original in person is better.

Comparison Table¶

Criterion	Agency	Freelancer	Online service
Price per page	35-60 EUR	25-45 EUR	30-50 EUR
Timeline	3-7 days	2-5 days	2-24 hours
Legal validity	Full	Full	Full
Convenience	Visit required	Remote	Fully online
For handwritten docs	Optimal	Depends	Better through agency

Regardless of which option you choose, the legal validity of the translation is identical as long as it’s done by a sworn translator. What matters is the seal and signature - not whether you walked into an office or sent a scan by email.

Total Cost of the Recognition Process¶

Let’s add up the entire budget from start to finish:

Expense	Cost	Note
Document translation	350-900 EUR	Full package
Recognition fee	100-600 EUR	Varies by state
Anpassungslehrgang (if needed)	500-2,500 EUR	Courses at a Fachschule
Eignungsprufung (if needed)	200-500 EUR	Registration fee
Language certificate (B2)	200-300 EUR	If you don’t have one yet
Total	800-4,000 EUR	From minimum to maximum

That’s a significant sum. But remember the math: with recognition, you’ll earn 900+ EUR more per month. Even if you spend the maximum of 4,000 EUR, the entire investment pays for itself within 4-5 months of working as a Fachkraft. After that, it’s pure gain for the rest of your career in Germany.

How to Reduce Costs¶

There are three main funding sources that can cover most or all of these costs:

Anerkennungszuschuss - a federal subsidy for qualification recognition. It covers up to 600 EUR for translations and recognition fees, and up to 3,000 EUR for Anpassungsqualifizierung (adaptation training). Applications are open until 30.06.2027. Income limit: up to 32,000 EUR per year (single) or 50,000 EUR (married). You apply through the Forschungsinstitut Betriebliche Bildung - the process is straightforward and can be done online.

Jobcenter (Kostenubernаhme) - if you’re registered as a jobseeker, the Jobcenter can cover translation costs and recognition fees in full. This is the most generous option since it has no fixed cap. But you need to get approval BEFORE ordering the translation. If you translate first and ask for reimbursement later, they’ll say no. Since Erzieher/in is officially a shortage occupation (Mangelberuf), Jobcenters are generally very willing to approve these costs.

IQ Netzwerk - free advisory services for qualification recognition. They operate in every federal state. An IQ advisor will help you identify the right authority, gather your documents, and find funding. The service is free and available in many languages including Ukrainian and Russian. Even if you don’t need financial help, a free consultation with IQ can save you from costly mistakes.

A practical approach: talk to your Jobcenter and apply for Anerkennungszuschuss simultaneously. Use whichever gets approved first. Many people end up paying nothing out of pocket for the entire process.

German Language Requirements¶

To work as an Erzieher/in at a Kita, you need German at B2 level, and some states require C1. This makes sense when you think about the job - you’re working with children, communicating with parents, writing developmental reports, participating in team meetings, and documenting observations. All of this happens in German.

The language certificate is usually required at the employment stage, not when you submit your recognition application. But there are states (like Berlin) that require B2 even for the recognition procedure itself. Check your specific state’s requirements through the Anerkennungs-Finder.

Where to take the language exam: - Goethe-Institut - the gold standard, recognized everywhere - telc - widely recognized alternative, often cheaper and more flexible with scheduling - TestDaF - more for university admission, but accepted for recognition too - ÖSD - Austrian German certificate, recognized in Germany

One thing to consider: the B2 certificate isn’t just a box to check. At B2, you can hold meaningful conversations, understand spoken German at normal speed, write clear texts on complex topics, and understand most workplace communication. This is the level where you can actually do the job well. If you find yourself struggling at B2, intensive courses specifically for pedagogical professionals (padagogisches Deutsch) can help bridge the gap between “textbook German” and “talking to a crying three-year-old and their anxious parent at the same time.”

A practical tip: if your German is at B1 right now, submit your recognition application while you continue studying. The recognition process takes 3-4 months - that’s enough time to move from B1 to B2 if you’re taking intensive courses. Don’t wait until your language is “perfect” to start the paperwork. These processes can and should run in parallel.

Common Mistakes¶

Mistake 1: Wrong Type of Translation¶

A regular translation (even from a professional translator) won’t be accepted by the Landesjugendamt. You need specifically a beglaubigte Ubersetzung - from a sworn translator with an official seal. This is the single most common reason documents get sent back. The fix is simple: always check that your translator is listed on justiz-dolmetscher.de and that their seal appears on every page of the translation.

Mistake 2: Incomplete Diploma Supplement¶

The authority meticulously compares hours for each study block: early childhood pedagogy, developmental psychology, didactics, inclusive education, parent engagement, health and nutrition, legal foundations. If your supplement doesn’t include a breakdown by hours, you’ll need to request a separate certificate from your educational institution. Do this before you leave Ukraine if possible - getting it from abroad is much harder, especially if your university or college is in an occupied or heavily damaged area. Some universities can issue certificates remotely through Diia or by email; check with your alma mater.

Mistake 3: Applying to the Wrong Authority¶

Each federal state has its own responsible institution for Erzieher recognition. In Berlin it’s the Senatsverwaltung, in NRW it’s the Bezirksregierung, in Bavaria it’s the Landesjugendamt. If you submit to the wrong one, they’ll redirect your documents, but you’ll lose 2-4 weeks in the process. Always use the Anerkennungs-Finder to identify the correct authority before you start. And if you’re planning to move to a different state soon, consider whether to apply in your current state or wait - recognition from one state is generally accepted in others, but the process specifics differ.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Work Experience¶

If you’ve got 3+ years of experience after graduation, you absolutely must submit reference letters from your employers with a detailed description of your duties. Work experience can compensate for differences in training programs. Without reference letters, the authority only sees your diploma. With them, they see the full picture - and that can mean the difference between a 12-month Anpassungslehrgang and a 6-month one. The reference letter should describe: what age group you worked with, what programs you ran, whether you led a group independently, how many children were in your group, whether you did parental consultations.

Mistake 5: Waiting Without Working¶

While you’re waiting for your recognition decision, don’t sit at home. Get a job as an Erganzungskraft (teaching assistant) or Kinderpfleger/in. You don’t need recognition for these positions, you’ll earn a salary (2,000-2,500 EUR/month), and - crucially - you’ll gain experience working in the German Kita system. This experience counts toward your evaluation and demonstrates to the authority that you’re actively working in the field. Plus, many Kita directors who hire you as an assistant will actively support your recognition process because they want you on staff as a Fachkraft.

Alternative Paths¶

If the full recognition process feels too slow or too expensive, there are ways to start working sooner:

Erganzungskraft (teaching assistant) - you can work in this role without recognition. The salary is lower (2,000-2,500 EUR), but you’re already in the system and building experience that counts. Some states allow this even without B2 German, particularly for Ukrainian refugees under temporary protection. Many educators start here on day one and submit their recognition application in parallel.

Quereinstieg (lateral entry programs) - several states (notably Berlin and NRW) run special programs for foreign professionals with pedagogical education. You work and study at the same time while earning a salary. These programs are specifically designed for people in your situation and often include language support. Berlin’s Quereinstieg program, for example, lets you work in a Kita from the start with supervision, while attending Fachschule classes in the evenings or on weekends.

Verkurzte Ausbildung (shortened training) - if your diploma receives partial recognition, some Fachschulen offer shortened training (1-2 years instead of the full 3 years). This can be combined with employment at a Kita. The advantage over the Anpassungslehrgang is that you end up with a full German Erzieher diploma - which is recognized in every state without question.

I have a bachelor’s in early childhood education from Vinnytsia. They gave me partial recognition and recommended a 12-month Anpassungslehrgang. I worked at a Kita as an Erganzungskraft at the same time. After a year I got full recognition and immediately became a Fachkraft with a higher salary.

Typical experience from the Fruhe Chancen project.

The key takeaway: you don’t have to choose between working and getting recognized. The German system is specifically set up so you can do both at the same time. Start earning money as an Erganzungskraft while your recognition application is being processed. Then, if you need an Anpassungslehrgang, you can often do it at the same Kita where you’re already employed.

Checklist: Translation and Recognition for Kindergarten Teachers¶

Here’s your step-by-step action plan:

• [ ] Find your responsible authority through the Anerkennungs-Finder
• [ ] Contact an IQ Beratungsstelle for a free consultation
• [ ] Collect originals: diploma, diploma supplement, employment record, employer reference letters
• [ ] Order a beglaubigte Ubersetzung for all documents
• [ ] Apply for Anerkennungszuschuss or contact your Jobcenter for cost coverage
• [ ] Submit your documents for recognition
• [ ] While waiting - get a job as Erganzungskraft and study German to B2/C1
• [ ] Receive the decision and (if needed) complete the Anpassungslehrgang or Eignungsprufung

FAQ¶

How much does it cost to get Anerkennung as a kindergarten teacher in Germany?¶

Minimum 800 EUR (translations + recognition fee), maximum 4,000 EUR (if you need an Anpassungslehrgang plus a language course). A big chunk of this can be covered by the Anerkennungszuschuss (up to 600 EUR for translations, up to 3,000 EUR for adaptation training) or by the Jobcenter if you’re registered as a jobseeker. Many people end up paying little to nothing out of pocket.

How long does the entire recognition process take?¶

The recognition decision itself takes 3-4 months after you submit a complete document package. Translations take 1-2 weeks. If an Anpassungslehrgang is needed, add another 12-18 months. Total from start to Fachkraft status: 4-20 months depending on your situation. The good news is that you can work (as Erganzungskraft) and earn money during almost the entire process.

Will Germany recognize a Ukrainian pedagogical college diploma?¶

Yes, the authority considers any pedagogical education documents - college diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees. The result depends on how many hours you completed in key modules (early childhood pedagogy, developmental psychology, didactics) compared to the German Erzieher-Ausbildung. Ukrainian programs typically receive partial equivalence with an adaptation requirement. Full rejection is rare for anyone with a genuine pedagogical qualification.

Can I work at a Kita without recognition?¶

Yes, as an Erganzungskraft (teaching assistant) or through special programs for refugees and newcomers. The salary is lower (2,000-2,500 EUR/month), and you won’t count as a Fachkraft in the staff ratio, but you can work and gain experience right away. Many Kitas are happy to hire assistants immediately given the severe staffing shortage - some will even help you with the recognition paperwork.

What’s the difference between recognition in different federal states?¶

The procedure is similar across Germany, but there are meaningful differences: different responsible authorities, different language requirements (some states accept B1, others require B2 or even C1), different Anpassungslehrgang durations (12-18 months), and different fees (100-600 EUR). The core principle is the same everywhere - they compare your training with the German standard - but the details vary. Always check the requirements for your specific state through the Anerkennungs-Finder. Recognition granted by one state is generally accepted in others if you move later.

Can the Jobcenter pay for my document translation?¶

Yes, if you’re registered at the Jobcenter as a jobseeker. Submit a request for Kostenubernаhme (cost coverage) BEFORE you order the translation - otherwise the costs won’t be covered. The Jobcenter usually covers the full cost of translations and recognition fees when the job is in a shortage occupation, and Erzieher/in definitely qualifies as one of the most in-demand professions in Germany. Talk to your Arbeitsvermittler (employment advisor) and explain that you want to get your qualification recognized to work as a Fachkraft.

Will an online translation be accepted for qualification recognition?¶

Yes, as long as the translation is done by a sworn translator (beeidigter Ubersetzer) with an official seal and signature. Whether you ordered it online or walked into an agency doesn’t matter. The legal validity is identical. What matters is that the translator is authorized to certify translations in Germany and that their seal and signature appear on every page of the translated document.

What if my documents were lost or destroyed because of the war?¶

If your original documents are destroyed or inaccessible, ZAB offers a Plausibilisierungsverfahren - a plausibility check procedure for documents that can’t be obtained. You can also try to restore your documents through Diia or DP “Dokument”. The recognition authority is legally required to find alternative assessment methods - including Qualifikationsanalyse (a practical skills assessment where you demonstrate your competencies in person). Don’t assume that missing documents mean you can’t get recognition. The system has provisions for exactly this situation, especially for people affected by the war in Ukraine.