Conversion for Related Degrees in Germany is an option for people who already hold an intermediate vocational, college, university, or relevant professional qualification and wish to continue developing their careers in the Federal Republic of Germany. Rather than assuming they must start studying from scratch, applicants can explore qualification recognition, compare their education levels, and apply for a skilled worker visa under German regulations.
However, holding a qualification obtained in Vietnam does not mean it will automatically be recognized in Germany. The requirements for recognition of qualifications in the same field depend on the type of qualification, training program, intended occupation, professional licensing requirements, and appropriate residence category. In particular, qualification recognition, university degree assessment, and the issuance of a work visa are procedures with different legal functions.
When researching qualification recognition in the same field, the following article helps workers and parents understand the required documents, assessment process, German language requirements, estimated costs, employment opportunities, and prospects for long-term residence. The legal information is cross-checked against official German sources, with October 2026 as the reference update date; specific requirements should be verified again when submitting an application.
The Process of Recognizing Qualifications in the Same Field, Costs, and Long-Term Settlement Opportunities in Germany
Steps from Qualification Assessment and Additional Professional Training to Signing an Employment Contract and Applying for a Visa
An effective pathway to recognition of qualifications in the same field in Germany should be based on the applicant's actual documents and circumstances, not merely their desire to move abroad. The general process consists of six stages:
- Stage 1 – Assessing Qualifications: Reviewing qualifications, transcripts, work experience, language proficiency, and career goals.
- Stage 2 – Identifying Legal Procedures: Classifying university degrees and vocational qualifications, determining whether the occupation is regulated, and selecting Anabin, ZAB, or the appropriate recognition authority.
- Stage 3 – Completing the Application Documents: Providing additional training program documents, translations, and other materials as required.
- Stage 4 – Developing Additional Competencies: Learning German, improving professional skills, or completing supplementary recognition measures if necessary.
- Stage 5 – Recruitment: Applying for jobs, attending interviews, checking employment conditions, and signing an appropriate contract.
- Stage 6 – Visa Application and Integration: Completing visa application documents and preparing for entry, accommodation, insurance, and residence formalities after arriving in Germany.
For qualification recognition programs in the same field, recruitment and qualification assessment may sometimes proceed simultaneously. However, workers should not treat a job offer as a substitute for an official recognition decision or professional license.
Application Processing Times, Estimated Costs, and Financial Planning Before Moving to Germany
The time and cost of recognizing qualifications in the same field vary depending on the qualification type, occupation, completeness of the documents, and receiving authority. The following table is a reference for preparing an initial budget, not a quotation for a comprehensive service package.
| Category | Estimated Costs or Processing Times | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ZAB University Degree Assessment | EUR 208; processing typically takes around 3 months | Applies to a standard Statement of Comparability |
| Recognition of Vocational Qualifications | Many procedures cost approximately EUR 100–600 | Actual fees depend on the authority and occupation |
| Professional Recognition Processing | Usually 3–4 months after all documents are complete | Processing may take longer or involve special procedures |
| Translation, Certification, and Verification | Depends on the number and type of documents | A separate quotation is required |
| German Language Courses and Examinations | Depends on the starting level and training provider | Not the same as qualification recognition fees |
| Additional Professional Qualification Measures | Depends on the course, examination, and occupation | Only incurred when necessary |
| German National Visa | Usually EUR 75 for adults | Check fee exemptions and official instructions at the time of application |
| Airfare, Accommodation, and Initial Living Expenses | Depends on the destination, timing, and contract | A separate contingency budget is necessary |
When preparing for qualification recognition in the same field, applicants should divide their budgets into preparation costs in Vietnam, German assessment fees, and contingency funds for initial living expenses in Germany. They should also clarify which party will pay for recognition, additional training, or relocation if an employer provides support.
To optimize the qualification recognition process in the same field, note that visa processing time is separate from the ZAB assessment or professional recognition period. Therefore, applicants should not simply add together a few estimated processing times and promise a specific departure date before receiving assessment results and confirming actual processing schedules.
Distinguishing Qualification Recognition in the Same Field from Vocational Training in Germany: Requirements, Benefits, and Suitable Pathways
Based on experience in German language training for qualification recognition in the same field, qualification recognition and vocational training in Germany are two different pathways with distinct target groups, objectives, and residence arrangements.
| Criteria | Qualification Recognition and Employment | Vocational Training in Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Target Group | People whose existing professional qualifications meet recognition or equivalency requirements | People who want to participate in a vocational training program in Germany |
| Goal | Access to skilled employment | Obtaining a German vocational qualification through training |
| Common Legal Residence Basis | Section 18a or 18b of the Residence Act (AufenthG) | Section 16a of the Residence Act (AufenthG) |
| German | Depending on the occupation, professional licensing requirements, and employer | Usually B1, potentially higher depending on the program |
| Income | Employment wages under an employment contract | Training allowance or apprentice wages under the program |
| Time | Depends on recognition, recruitment, and visa approval | Usually 2–3.5 years, depending on the training occupation |
When researching qualification recognition in the same field, people considering dual vocational training (duale Ausbildung) generally do not pay tuition fees to the training company and receive an allowance under their training contract. However, this does not mean that every vocational training program in Germany is entirely free of all fees. School-based training and other programs have their own financial arrangements.
For qualification recognition programs in the same field, a training allowance of EUR 1,000–1,400 per month may be offered in some recruitment programs, but this is not a rate guaranteed by the German government for all trainees. According to Make it in Germany, the minimum training allowance for the first year of programs covered by the applicable legislation starts at EUR 724 per month in 2026. The actual amount also depends on the training year, occupation, and applicable collective agreement.
When preparing for qualification recognition in the same field, applicants for vocational training visas in 2026 should note that if the training allowance from an in-company program reaches at least EUR 1,048 gross per month or EUR 822 net per month under the official criteria, their livelihood may be considered secured according to the applicable reference thresholds. If the amount is lower, trainees may need to cover the shortfall through a blocked account or an accepted declaration of financial commitment.
For school-based vocational training, the reference amount for proving sufficient funds in 2026 is EUR 959 available per month, depending on the accepted method of proof. These amounts are financial requirements for the vocational training residence category and should not be imposed on all work visa applications under Sections 18a and 18b.
Estimated Vocational Training Costs:
| Category | Expected Certificate Availability in VN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees for In-Company Vocational Training | Generally no tuition fees | Applies to the dual training model; check the specific contract |
| Training allowance | May range from EUR 1,000–1,400 per month in some programs | Not a nationwide standard |
| German Language Courses in Vietnam | Depends on the course and proficiency level | A specific quotation is required |
| Certificate exam | Depends on the examination, level, and test score | Check official examination fees |
| Visa, Translation, and Travel | Depends on the actual charges | Do not assume these are free |
| Proof of Financial Resources | According to Section 16a visa requirements and the training allowance | Additional funds may be needed if income is insufficient |
People with relevant professional qualifications, recognized credentials, and clear employment prospects should assess the skilled worker route before deciding to retrain. Conversely, those who want to change careers, do not yet meet recognition requirements, or need to develop skills to German standards may consider vocational training.
Reference: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/training.
Long-Term Residence Opportunities Under the Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) and Permanent Residence Requirements
Germany's Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) and related amendments facilitate access to the German labor market for international skilled workers through various residence categories. However, receiving a work visa does not automatically grant permanent residence.
For skilled workers covered by Section 18c of the Residence Act (AufenthG), permanent settlement permission (Niederlassungserlaubnis) may generally be considered after three years of qualifying residence and at least 36 months of pension insurance contributions, together with other requirements concerning livelihood, German language proficiency, knowledge of social and legal systems, housing, and residence status.
People who have completed vocational training or a university degree in Germany may qualify for a different preferential period if they meet all the applicable requirements. EU Blue Card holders also have a separate pathway to permanent residence. These provisions cannot be generalized to every case based solely on the number of years spent living in Germany.
Applicants should approach their long-term goals by considering the following requirements together: lawful residence status, continued employment and financial self-sufficiency, insurance contributions, language proficiency, and compliance with permanent residence criteria at the time of application.
Join PDT Education on Your Journey to Qualification Recognition in the Same Field and Achieving Your Goals in Germany
Personalized Application Assessment: Reviewing Qualifications, Specializations, and Developing a Suitable Pathway
For people who already hold qualifications and have work experience in Vietnam, choosing an appropriate pathway should begin with an individual assessment rather than applying the same solution to every applicant.
With its international education consulting focus, PDT Education supports learners in identifying their goals, reviewing their educational backgrounds and language proficiency, and understanding the requirements to investigate before choosing qualification recognition, employment, or vocational training in Germany.
An application should be assessed based on the qualification type, training content, professional experience, German language proficiency, preparation time, and financial resources. An initial assessment provides guidance and does not replace a decision by a qualification recognition authority or the German visa-issuing authority.
German Language Training Based on CEFR Standards and Preparation for Goethe and ECL Certificate Examinations According to Application Goals
Structured German language learning is an important part of preparing for integration. Learners should have their starting proficiency assessed, identify their target language level, and develop a plan to improve all four skills in a balanced way according to the CEFR framework.
At PDT Education, German language training and examination preparation should be aligned with learners' practical needs, from basic communication to job interviews, understanding professional documents, and adapting to the German workplace.
Learners can explore B1 German language course and ECL and Goethe examination preparation pathways tailored to their application goals. For positions requiring B2 or occupational German, further language development is necessary; a B1 certificate should not be considered sufficient for professional practice in every case.
For ECL examinations, parents and learners should request information about test dates, authorized test centers, fees, exam structure, and whether the certificate is accepted for the specific purpose. Any claims about high pass rates should be substantiated by statistics that clearly identify the examination session, number of candidates, and calculation method.
Transparent Application Consulting, Clear Contracts, and Vocational Training Guidance with Program-Specific Tuition and Allowance Policies
A responsible consulting service should clearly define the scope of support and each party's responsibilities. The contract should specify service fees, payments to foreign partners or authorities, refund conditions, implementation timelines, additional costs, and responsibilities if the application does not meet the requirements.
For vocational training programs, clarify the German training provider, occupation, contract duration, allowance for each year, accommodation conditions, and all costs that trainees must actually pay. A policy of 100% tuition fee exemption should only be advertised when it applies to the specific program type and contract; it does not mean that all costs of moving to Germany are waived.
It is also important to distinguish a vocational training allowance from the salary earned by a worker who has graduated and been hired. These forms of income arise from different legal relationships and involve different rights and obligations.
Choose the Right Pathway with the PDT Education Team, Bringing More Than 10 Years of Experience in International Education
With more than 10 years of activity in international education, PDT Education is presented as an organization founded by Teacher Phan Dinh Thu, who currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam–Germany Friendship Association. Its educational foundation and focus on Vietnam–Germany connections underpin its language training and international study pathway consulting activities.
For qualification recognition in the same field, the important decision is not merely how to get to Germany, but also how to choose a pathway that matches one's qualifications, abilities, legal circumstances, and long-term career prospects.
If you already hold qualifications or have professional experience and are considering working in Germany, contact PDT Education for an initial application assessment, a German language study plan, and guidance on the procedures that must be verified with the competent authorities. Find program information at https://pdt.edu.vn.
Qualification recognition in the same field in Germany is truly effective only when applicants understand the value of their qualifications, meet the legal requirements, and prepare for the practical demands of employment. A transparent pathway verified against official information helps learners plan more confidently for their time, finances, and long-term career goals.
