Certified translation for professional qualifications

Errors in the translation of professional qualifications mean rejected applications and delayed careers. Every technical term, every job title and every certificate of competence must be translated accurately. If this is not the case, you risk your qualification not being recognized in Germany. The value of your years of training and professional experience depends largely on the quality of the translation. That's why professionals from all over the world rely on our specialized translators.

The recognition process in Germany - facts and figures

The path to recognition of foreign professional qualifications in Germany is clearly structured. In Germany, the recognition process takes an average of 3-4 months. The main reasons for rejection are incorrectly translated specialist terminology and missing certifications. German authorities check very carefully whether the translated qualifications are comparable with German standards. 

Your path to recognition:

The authorities have different requirements for the documents to be submitted. Below is an overview of the most important authority-specific requirements:

Recognition body Important requirements for the translation
Medical associations Subject details (e.g. human biology, pharmacology), semester overviews and ECTS points must be clearly and correctly reproduced.
IHK  Job descriptions with detailed information on tasks, responsibilities and weekly hours are required.
ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education) Complete grade overviews, including the country-specific grading system, must be translated into German in a comprehensible manner.
Chambers of Crafts Training content with time shares (e.g. theory/practice in hours) as well as proof of practical examinations and additional qualifications are important.

💡 Tip: If you are unsure which requirements apply to your recognition, we will be happy to support you personally!

For which professional qualifications do we offer certified translations?

Below you will find an overview of the documents and professional areas in which we are particularly experienced. Your document is not listed? No problem! Simply contact us with your individual requirements

Medical professions

For doctors, nursing staff, therapists and medical professionals

Technical & engineering professions

For engineers, IT specialists, technicians and skilled workers

Craft & trade

For master craftsmen, journeymen and skilled workers in the commercial sector

Pedagogical professions

For teachers, educators and university lecturers

  • Teaching diplomas incl. subject combinations and final grades

  • Proof of pedagogical training and specializations

Commercial professions

For business economists, bankers, commercial specialists and administrative professions

Why you can trust us

✓ Industry-specific specialist translators

Our translators have linguistic skills and a deep understanding of your professional field. They recognize subtle differences between qualifications from different countries and translate them precisely into German or the desired target language - for a professional and context-appropriate translation.

✓ Recognized by all authorities

Our certified translations are accepted without question by all German recognition offices, universities and international institutions. The state certification of our translators and the correct certification with stamp and signature ensure that your documents meet the formal requirements of all German authorities.

✓ 24-hour express service guaranteed

Time is of the essence in the recognition process. We offer an express service for the most common language combinations. We deliver your certified translation within 24 hours on working days. 

✓ 100% digital process

From document upload to delivery - no need to send originals by post. You receive your certified translation as a legally binding PDF and in paper form. The entire process is transparent and traceable. You can track the status of your translation online at any time.

✓ Sworn translators

Our translators have at least 5 years of professional experience and guarantee the highest quality and legal security. Our translators undergo regular training on changes in recognition procedures and professional standards.

Our quality is confirmed by independent certifications:

  • ISO 17100-certified translation services
  • ISO/IEC 27001-certified data protection

This is how your order works - in a nutshell

We have made the ordering process as simple and efficient as possible. In just a few steps, you will receive a precise certified translation of your professional qualifications:

 

Success stories: Precise translations, successful recognition

Behind every translated professional qualification is a personal story. Here is an example of how our precise translation has led to successful recognition:

Electrician training from Poland

Marek W., a master electrician with 15 years of professional experience, needed his Polish qualification to be recognized. We translated his training certificates with an exact description of the electrical standards and safety regulations that he had mastered. Thanks to the precise translation of his practical experience and theoretical knowledge, he received immediate recognition with a Chamber of Crafts entry and was able to set up his own electrical company in Germany straight away.

This example shows how crucial a technically correct translation is for the success of recognition. 

Frequently asked questions - direct answers

How long does it take to process a certified translation?

We offer two time options:

  • Standard service: 3-4 working days for digital delivery, 5-6 working days for postal delivery
  • Express service: 24 hours for digital delivery (only for EN-DE, DE-EN, ES-DE, DE-ES, IT-DE, DE-IT)

The processing time begins after receipt of payment. The processing time may be longer for particularly large documents - in this case we will inform you in advance.

Do I need the original of my documents?

No, a high-quality scan (at least 300 dpi) or a clearly legible photo is sufficient for the translation. We will produce a certified translation that accurately describes the original document, including any stamps, seals and other features. This certified translation is recognized by all German authorities without you having to send the original.

Are your translations recognized by all authorities?

Yes, 100%. Our translators are sworn and authorized to certify translations with a stamp and signature. These are fully recognized by all German and EU authorities. We know the specific requirements of all relevant recognition bodies and ensure that our translations meet them. For digital translations, we use qualified electronic signatures, which are legally equivalent to a stamp.

How exactly does the recognition process work?

The recognition process in Germany follows a structured procedure:

  1. Identify the responsible office: Depending on your profession and federal state, a different authority is responsible. We will be happy to advise you on identifying the right authority.
  2. Submit documents with a certified translation: You submit your qualification certificates together with our certified translations to the relevant authority.
  3. Equivalence check: The authorities check whether your foreign qualification is equivalent to the German reference occupation. This process usually takes 3-4 months.
  4. Decision: For regulated professions, recognition is necessary in order to be allowed to practice the profession. For non-regulated professions, recognition significantly improves your job prospects.

In the event of significant differences, compensatory measures such as adaptation courses or aptitude tests may be required.

Which languages do we translate?

We offer certified translations in 19 language combinations. One of the languages must always be German. Our most frequently requested language combinations include

  • German ↔ English
  • German ↔ Spanish/French/Italian
  • German ↔ Russian/Ukrainian/Polish
  • German ↔ Arabic/Turkish
  • German ↔ Greek/Dutch
  • German ↔ Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian
  • German ↔ Portuguese/Bulgarian

We can usually also offer a solution for other language combinations - just contact us.

Typical translation pitfalls for professional qualifications?

When translating professional qualifications, there are some typical pitfalls that we specifically avoid:

  • Incorrect translation of academic degrees: Many translators mistakenly translate, for example, a Bachelor's degree as "Bakkalaureus" or use other antiquated terms.
  • Inadequate translation of professional authorizations: Important phrases such as "authorized to..." are often translated inaccurately, which can limit the scope of your qualifications.
  • Omission of important additional qualifications: Secondary qualifications or specializations are sometimes overlooked, even though they can be crucial for recognition.
  • Incorrect translation of grade equivalents: International grading systems differ greatly. An inaccurate translation can make your performance look worse than it is.

We avoid these and other errors by using profession-specific translation protocols and comprehensive quality checks by subject matter experts.

Have your professional qualification certified translated now

Your professional future in Germany begins with a precise, technically correct translation of your qualifications. Our specialized translators ensure that your skills are correctly understood.

Have documents translated now