What Is Zeugnisbewertung and Why You Need It in Germany

You moved to Germany with a Ukrainian university degree, found a job opening, aced the interview - and then the employer asks: “Do you have a Zeugnisbewertung?” You nod confidently, then quietly Google it under the table. If that’s you right now - this article is what you need.

Zeugnisbewertung in plain English¶

Zeugnisbewertung (literally “credential evaluation”) is an official document from ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen - the Central Office for Foreign Education), which compares your foreign degree to the German education system.

In simple terms: it’s a document that says “this person’s degree is equivalent to this level of education in Germany.” For example, that your Ukrainian Bachelor’s = German Bachelor, and your Master’s = German Master.

Here’s the catch: Zeugnisbewertung is NOT a recognition of your qualification. It’s a comparative assessment. They don’t say “your degree is recognized” - they say “your degree is comparable to this German level.” The difference is subtle but matters - more on that below.

Who needs a Zeugnisbewertung¶

You’re looking for work in a non-regulated profession¶

A non-regulated profession is one where you don’t need a specific license to work. IT specialists, engineers (in most federal states), economists, marketers, managers - these are all non-regulated professions. For them, Zeugnisbewertung is your main document proving your education level.

Employers often ask for a Zeugnisbewertung to understand what level your degree is. The difference between a Ukrainian “specialist” and “master’s” degree is a mystery to most German HR departments, but a Zeugnisbewertung explains everything on one page.

You’re applying for a Blue Card¶

For a Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU), a Zeugnisbewertung is mandatory. The good news: for Blue Card applications, ZAB processes documents in about 2 weeks instead of the standard 3 months. You just need to check the box “Ich beantrage die Zeugnisbewertung für meinen Blue-Card-Antrag” when applying and attach a copy of your employment contract.

You want official proof “just in case”¶

Even if you don’t need a Zeugnisbewertung right now - it doesn’t expire. Get it once, and you have an official document to show employers, banks, and government offices. Especially useful if you’re planning to switch jobs in Germany.

Zeugnisbewertung vs Anerkennung - what’s the difference¶

This is one of the most common points of confusion for Ukrainians in Germany. Let’s clear it up.

If you’re a doctor, nurse, teacher, pharmacist, or work in another regulated profession - you need Anerkennung, not Zeugnisbewertung. Read more about it in our article on diploma recognition.

If you’re an IT specialist, economist, marketer, or engineer in most federal states - Zeugnisbewertung is what you need.

How to apply: step by step¶

Since February 2024, the entire Zeugnisbewertung application process is digital. No paper letters - everything happens online.

Step 1: Create a BundID¶

BundID is a unified account for accessing German government online services. Registration is free at id.bund.de. You’ll need an email address and identification (via eID card or video identification).

Step 2: Complete the Vorab-Check¶

On zab.kmk.org, there’s a preliminary check (Vorab-Check) where you enter your degree details and get a list of documents you need to submit. Takes 5-10 minutes and can save you a lot of time.

Step 3: Prepare your documents¶

Standard package for a Ukrainian degree:

• Diploma (scan of original)
• Diploma supplement with grades (scan of original)
• Certified translation of the diploma and supplement into German
• Identity document (passport)

Note: Ukrainian is NOT on the list of languages ZAB accepts without translation (that list includes Arabic, English, French, Italian, Polish, and Spanish). So a diploma translation into German is mandatory. The translation must be done by a sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer or beeidigter Übersetzer).

Step 4: Upload documents and submit¶

All documents are uploaded as PDFs through the ZAB online portal. Notarized copies aren’t required - regular scans are fine.

Step 5: Pay the fee¶

After submitting your application, ZAB will send you a payment invoice. The first Zeugnisbewertung costs €200. Each additional one (if you have two degrees, for example) costs €100. Pay within a week to keep the process moving.

Cost and timeline breakdown¶

That €200 is only for the Zeugnisbewertung itself. It does NOT include the cost of translating your documents. A certified translation of a diploma and supplement in Germany runs about €50-120 (depending on volume and translator). Through ChatsControl you can get a translation much faster and more conveniently - no searching for translators or waiting in queues.

If your documents were lost due to the war¶

This is a real concern for many Ukrainians. ZAB understands the situation and offers a Plausibilisierungsverfahren (plausibility verification procedure). If you can’t provide original diplomas (for example, they’re in a conflict zone), ZAB can still issue a Zeugnisbewertung based on other evidence.

What can help:

• Data from the EDEBO database (Ukraine’s unified state electronic education database) - Ukrainian diplomas can be verified there
• Any copies of documents (even phone photos)
• Extracts from Ukrainian university databases

It’s not a guarantee, but there’s a real chance. The numbers speak for themselves: applications from Ukrainians grew from 4,100 in 2022 to 45,100 in 2024 - and ZAB has learned to handle these cases.

Check if your university is recognized¶

Before applying for a Zeugnisbewertung, check the anabin database. It’s the official database where you can find your university and see what status it has in Germany. If your university is listed with H+ status - your degree will most likely be evaluated positively.

But even if your university isn’t in anabin or has an unclear status - don’t panic. The Zeugnisbewertung process includes an individual assessment, and the result can be positive even if anabin has incomplete information.

Practical tips¶

Apply as early as possible. 3 months of waiting is the reality for standard processing. If you need a Zeugnisbewertung for job hunting - don’t wait until you find a vacancy.

For Blue Card - apply with your employment contract. Then you’ll get the result in about 2 weeks. If you don’t have a contract yet, a signed job offer (Stellenangebot) works too.

Order your translation in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute. You can order a certified translation online - through ChatsControl or find a translator through the justiz-dolmetscher.de database.

Keep all your scans. Even if you’re applying online - make backup copies of everything you upload. ZAB may request additional documents, and it’s better to have everything ready.

FAQ¶

What is Zeugnisbewertung and how is it different from Anerkennung?¶

Zeugnisbewertung is a comparative evaluation of a foreign degree issued by ZAB. It shows what level of German education your degree corresponds to. Anerkennung is full recognition of your qualification, required for regulated professions (doctor, teacher, nurse). For non-regulated professions (IT, business, engineering), a Zeugnisbewertung is enough.

How much does Zeugnisbewertung cost and how long does it take?¶

The first Zeugnisbewertung costs €200, each additional one costs €100. Standard processing time is up to 3 months after submitting a complete application. For Blue Card applicants, there’s a fast track - about 2 weeks.

Do I need a translation of my Ukrainian diploma for Zeugnisbewertung?¶

Yes. Ukrainian isn’t on the list of languages ZAB accepts without translation. You need a certified translation (beglaubigte Übersetzung) into German by a sworn translator. Without it, your application won’t be processed.

What if my original diploma was lost due to the war?¶

ZAB offers a Plausibilisierungsverfahren for those who can’t provide originals. You can use data from the EDEBO database, copies of documents, or extracts from university databases. The number of such applications from Ukrainians grows every year, and ZAB has experience handling them.

Can I work in Germany without a Zeugnisbewertung?¶

For non-regulated professions, a Zeugnisbewertung isn’t technically mandatory - an employer can hire you without one. But in practice, most serious employers ask for it, and it’s required for the Blue Card. It’s a €200 investment that makes your entire employment journey smoother.