Applying for recognition of a foreign teaching diploma
If you would like to work as a teacher in Baden-Württemberg, you must first have your qualifications obtained abroad recognised.
In the recognition procedure, your individual qualifications will be compared with a teacher training programme in Baden-Württemberg.
Forms/Online Services
Responsible authority
Regional Council Tübingen
Details
Prerequisite
You have completed a teacher training programme that allows you to work in the public school system in your country of origin.
Please note: You need sufficient knowledge of the German language. Language skills at level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are required. Level C1 (CEFR) combined with successful participation in a language colloquium is also possible. This is a prerequisite for employment as a teacher. The Regierungspräsidium Tübingen therefore recommends completing a language course at an early stage and submitting a corresponding document with the application for recognition or at a later date.
Procedure
- Submit the application for recognition in writing or digitally
- Use the form provided.
- Attach all the necessary documents.
The regional council can make the following decisions:
- It recognises your teaching degree.
- It will determine that your teaching qualification differs significantly from a Baden-Württemberg teaching qualification:
- If you have only studied one subject, you will have to catch up on a second subject at a university or prove your knowledge of the scientific and didactic content of a second subject in an examination.
If your practical school education was different to that in Baden-Württemberg and you cannot compensate for this with three years of professional experience, you will need to take an examination or complete a course of up to 12 months. You decide whether you do one or the other.
The aptitude test and the adaptation period take place at the teacher training and further training centres responsible for the individual school types.
As soon as you have provided proof that the significant differences have been compensated, the regional council will recognise your teaching qualification as equivalent.
As a result, you will receive a written notification.
Deadlines
none
If you decide to attend an adaptation course to compensate for significant differences in your practical school education, you must inform the recognition office at the Tübingen Regional Council by 1 August at the latest.
The adaptation period begins
- for grammar school and vocational school teachers after the Christmas holidays and
- for primary school, lower secondary school and special education teaching qualifications in February.
Required documents
- General higher education entrance qualification
- Teaching diploma, certificate, teaching licence with list of grades
- Study index, "Diploma Supplement", "Transcript of Records"
- Certificate of the duration and nature of previous professional activities as a teacher after completing teacher training
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- if available
- Marriage certificate, divorce certificate
- Residence permit
Applications can only be processed if the application form has been completed in full and all documents have been submitted. You are welcome to send us your application together with the required documents electronically. In this case, please send us the application with the above-mentioned documents to the following address: anerkennung@rpt.bwl.de
Please note that only PDF files can be accepted here. If the documents were not issued in German or English, translations in either German or English must be enclosed. Please label the individual PDFs with a description of the respective content.
You can also send us your application and documents by post. In this case, please send us copies of your original documents and, if the documents are not in German or English, copies of the officially certified translations.
Do not enclose any original documents with your application!
Translations must be prepared by a person who is publicly authorised or sworn to interpret or translate in Germany or abroad. In justified exceptional cases, the submission of the originals may be requested.
Costs
between EUR 50.00 and EUR 300.00
Processing time
The decision on the application will be made within the shortest possible time, but no later than three months after submission of the complete documentation.
Miscellaneous
none
Detailed information
- Further information from the Recognition Office of the Regional Council of Tübingen
- Have copies, photocopies, duplicates and negatives officially certified
Legal basis
Verordnung des Kultusministeriums zur Umsetzung allgemeiner Regelungen zur Anerkennung beruflicher Befähigungsnachweise für Lehrerberufe (EU-EWR-Lehrerverordnung)
Gesetz zur Feststellung der Geichwertigkeit ausländischer Berufsqualifikationen in Baden-Württemberg (Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz Baden-Württemberg -BQFG-BW)
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Kultusministerium Baden-Württemberg, 28.01.2026