Germany: Professional Qualifications Assessment Act Passes

In December, Germany’s federal government simplified and standardized the process under which foreign-issued qualifications for professionals are recognized. The new law aims to streamline the current process, which has been criticized as onerous, time-consuming and inconsistent. Under the new law, professionals can apply for recognition of their foreign qualifications in over 350 professions, regardless of their citizenship or country of origin of their training. Applications will be reviewed within three months of submission. The new assessment procedure will go into effect this spring.