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In brief
Vocational education in Türkiye runs through vocational upper secondary schools, short university programmes and degree courses, alongside state-tested certificates of competence. Whether a Turkish qualification is equivalent to a German one is assessed case by case by the responsible office in Germany. German skills, complete papers with translations and an appointment at the German mission abroad belong early in the planning.
Vocational education in Türkiye at a glance
Vocational education in Türkiye usually starts at vocational upper secondary schools. There, students combine general education with a technical focus, such as metalwork, electrical work or hospitality.
Universities also offer short, job-related programmes. They are widespread in technical and administrative fields. Longer degree courses lead to a university degree, among others in nursing and engineering.
Nursing training in Türkiye is a university degree. This differs from the German route through vocational training and matters for recognition.
For many trade activities there are also state-regulated certificates of competence. A state authority for vocational qualifications tests and certifies them, for example in welding.
Classifying qualifications
A Turkish certificate is not automatically valid in Germany. What is assessed is whether the training essentially corresponds to a German one. This requires a matching German reference occupation.
With vocational upper secondary schools, the match is often not simple. The school qualification combines general education with a technical field. The responsible office therefore looks closely at subjects, hours and practical parts.
Work experience helps with the classification. References and proof of duties can make up for differences. Ask candidates early to collect this proof.
In regulated professions such as nursing, recognition is a condition for the work. In many trade occupations it is not. For the residence permit as a skilled worker, equivalence is usually required all the same.
German skills and courses on site
German is taught as a second foreign language at many Turkish schools. The large cities have language schools and recognised examination centres.
Most candidates still start at a low level. We record the level on the European scale from A1 to C2 and ask for proof.
As a rule we place candidates with German at level A2 or higher and a recognised certificate (ÖSD, Goethe, telc or comparable). They also bring a completed vocational training of at least two years with a certificate. Candidates can register before that and add the language certificate later.
Say early which level the job requires. For regulated professions the authorities often require a certain level. Which one depends on the occupation and the federal state.
A course in the country of origin takes time and money. Clarify whether and how the company supports it. Many candidates study alongside work and need reliable arrangements for that.
Papers, translations, certification
Candidates need complete papers for recognition and the visa. Most of them are in Turkish. They have to be translated and, as a rule, certified.
Which form of certification is required is stated by the responsible office and the mission abroad. Have translations made only by recognised translators.
Watch the spelling of names. Turkish letters are rendered differently in different documents. Differences between passport, certificate and contract lead to queries.
- Passport with sufficient validity
- School, training or university certificates with a list of subjects
- References and proof of work experience
- Certificates of competence and other certificates, where available
- Language certificates
Visa application at the German mission abroad
The skilled worker applies for the employment visa at the responsible German mission abroad in Türkiye. Germany has several missions there. Which one is responsible depends on the place of residence.
The missions abroad publish their own information sheets and explain how appointments are given. Read this guidance before the first step. The requirements may change.
Plan the appointment early and have all papers ready before it takes place. If something is missing, the application is delayed. A reachable contact person in the company helps with queries from the mission.
The mission abroad decides on the visa. Neither the company nor Regalis has any influence on this. Nobody promises fixed processing times.
How Regalis works on site
Permanent partners work for us in Türkiye. They speak the language and know the companies of the region.
They hold the first conversation, review the papers and explain the route honestly. Anything that remains unclear they clarify with us.
If a profile does not fit, we say so openly. A polished-up profile costs both sides time and money.
Candidates pay nothing for this. Anyone asking for money is a warning sign and should be reported to us. Every partner has a code that candidates can have confirmed on our verification page.
More on Türkiye
Our page on skilled workers from Türkiye lists the occupations German companies most often ask us for. It also sets out the placement process step by step.
For questions on recognition, the visa and German skills, our articles on these topics are worth reading as well. They are linked below.
Frequently asked questions
Is Turkish nursing training comparable to the German one?
In Türkiye nursing is a university degree. Whether the qualification is equivalent is assessed by the responsible office of the federal state. This often results in a compensation measure or an examination.
Where do candidates from Türkiye apply for the visa?
At the responsible German mission abroad in Türkiye. Which one is responsible depends on the place of residence. The missions explain how appointments are given on their websites.
Which papers should candidates have ready?
Passport, training certificates and references. Plus language certificates and certificates of competence, where available. We clarify translations and certification case by case.
Do candidates pay anything to Regalis or to the partners?
No. Our work is free of charge for candidates. Our fee is paid by the employer alone after a successful placement.
How good is the German of candidates from Türkiye?
That varies a lot. Many start at a low level and continue learning with a course. As a rule we place candidates with A2 or higher and a recognised certificate. We record the level with proof and tell you openly where someone stands.
- Skilled workers from Türkiye Training, typical occupations, German language levels and the process: what employers should know about recruiting skilled workers from Türkiye.