Professional qualifications attained in other EU/EEA countries - Application for recognition or assessment of equivalence

German Version

General information

The official process for the recognition of professional diplomas and certificates is based on the EU Directive on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications (Directive 2005/36/EC, as amended in Directive 2013/55/EU). Its purpose is to allow professionals to exercise a regulated profession in an EU or EC Member State after receiving the required training, and acquiring the necessary professional experience, in another Member State.

Regulated professions, by definition, are only open to individuals who can prove they have attained the required professional qualifications.

An official recognition of professional qualifications is granted upon application, in the form of an administrative decision taken by the Office of the Provincial Government. During the application process, the competent authority checks whether the applicant has truly performed the given professional activity in an EU/EEA Member State (outside Austria) or in Switzerland.

An official confirmation of equivalence of a professional qualification is issued upon application, in the form of an administrative decision taken by the Office of the Provincial Government. During the so-called assessment of equivalence (Äquivalenzprüfung), the authority assesses if, and to what extent, the applicant’s qualification can be considered equivalent to the comparable Austrian certificate of formal qualification.

Once the necessary administrative decision has been issued, and the applicant has obtained a valid business license (German) from the competent local authority, the applicant is entitled to exercise the regulated profession.

Data protection

For information on data protection and your data protection rights as an individual please visit: Data Protection Notice (German)

Requirements

For the recognition of professional qualifications:
The type and duration of the professional activities proven, combined with the relevant training, comply with the requirements of the EU or EEA Regulation on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications (as implemented under Austrian law (German)

For the assessment of equivalence of professional qualifications:
The professional qualification attained in the Member State of origin and proven in the application is equivalent to the corresponding Austrian certificate of qualification (assessment of equivalence).

Deadlines

A decision on the recognition of professional qualifications must be taken within 3 months after submission of the complete application documents.

An assessment of equivalence of professional qualifications must be performed within 4 months after submission of the complete application documents.

Contact

Office of the Vienna Provincial Government
Department for Commerce and Trade, Data Protection and Register Offices (MA) 63)
1010 Vienna, Wipplingerstraße 6-8, 3rd floor, 3rd floor
Phone: +43 1 4000-97117 or -97118
E-mail: post@ma63.wien.gv.at

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 1 pm
On Good Friday, 24 December and 31 December from 8 am to 11.30 am; closed on public holidays

Procedure

  • Application
  • Enquiry with the competent authority in the home country or country of origin, if necessary
  • Administrative decision

Authentication and signature

Authentication or signature of the application is not required.

Documents required

You must submit copies of the following documents with every application for recognition of a professional qualification:

  • Proof of identity (e.g. a copy of your ID card or passport)
  • EEA certificate issued by the responsible authority or institution in the Member State of origin or the Member State, confirming the type and duration of your professional activity in the intended profession, or of the professional qualification attained.
  • Formal proof of qualification and/or training (including information on the specific content and duration of the training course)

You must submit copies of the following documents with every application for confirmation of equivalence of a professional qualification:

  • Proof of identity (e.g. a copy of your ID card or passport)
  • Diplomas confirming professional qualifications attained in the home country or country of origin
  • Certificates (issued by the responsible authority) confirming the professional qualification attained in the home country or country of origin (proof of qualification or training certificate, diploma etc.)
  • Document/s proving that you have practised the profession on a full-time basis for at least one year in the past ten years (unless it is a regulated trade in the country of origin)

If you submit documents in languages other than German, you must also submit certified German translations of these documents.

Type and format of the evidence to be submitted:
You can find more information about bringing in documents at: Contact the City of Vienna (German)

Fees

None

Processing time

The procedure for recognition of professional qualifications usually takes 3 months after submission of the complete application documents.

The procedure for an assessment of equivalence of professional qualifications usually takes 4 months after submission of the complete application documents.

Form

Online-form: GISA (Trades Information System Austria) EU/EEA - application for recognition and equivalence procedure

Electronic delivery
The final document or official notification concluding this administrative procedure is delivered in electronic form. If you are not registered with any electronic mail delivery service (German), you will receive the notification by mail.

Information on electronic delivery of official documents (German)

Further information

Means of redress or appeal

An appeal is possible against rulings issued by an authority and shall be filed by the party within a 4 weeks term with the authority that issued the ruling of first instance (against rulings without investigation procedure within a two weeks term). The term starts with the receipt of the written copy of the ruling, in the case of oral pronouncement simultaneously with it.

The appeal shall indicate the ruling it contests, the authority that issued the ruling and contain a motion of appeal with the reasons. No more appeal is admissible if the party expressly waived the right of appeal after receipt or pronouncement of the ruling.

Each ruling contains instructions on the right to appeal and indicates the authority and the deadline for submission of such appeal.

Assistance and problem-solving services

Point of single contact Vienna

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Last update

19. February 2025

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