As a rule, the prerequisite for registration in the list of architects is a completed university degree in architecture. In addition, further registration requirements may have to be met, such as the exercise of at least two years of full-time practical activity in the essential professional tasks of the field of architecture (professional internship) and - in the case of self-employment - the conclusion of professional liability insurance.

The evaluation (equivalence / essential differences) of a foreign professional qualification in relation to a German reference qualification can only be considered within the framework of a registration procedure; the ThürAIKG does not provide for an independent recognition procedure with a final decision on the merits.

Qualifications from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland

For EU/EEA/Switzerland nationals and persons treated as equivalent (e.g. family members, spouses of EU citizens, long-term residents from third countries), the principle of automatic recognition applies to professions whose minimum requirements are harmonized at EU level (building construction architects). Automatic recognition means that the qualification is not individually checked for equivalence (in terms of content) with the corresponding German qualification (reference qualification).

If the requirements for automatic recognition are not met, an individual examination is considered. According to this, for EU/EEA/Switzerland nationals and persons treated as equivalent (see above), proof of training required in an EU/EEA state/Switzerland (regulated profession) is sufficient to obtain permission to use the professional title "architect" in this state; if the profession is not regulated in the state of origin, the guarantee of knowledge provided by the regulation is replaced by proof of one year's professional experience or by any regulated training provided. If the foreign professional qualification differs significantly from the registration requirements applicable to graduates in the field of architecture (structural engineering) from a German university, the Chamber of Architects imposes compensatory measures (aptitude test, adaptation course).

In the case of (non-equivalent) third-country nationals, the recognition of their educational qualifications requires that their equivalence with the corresponding German qualification (reference qualification) be established beforehand. If there are significant differences, the Chamber of Architects imposes compensatory measures (aptitude test, adaptation course).

Degrees from third countries

A prerequisite for the recognition of training certificates issued in third countries is that their equivalence with the corresponding German qualification (reference qualification) is first established. If there are significant differences, the Chamber of Architects imposes compensatory measures (aptitude test, adaptation course).

Registration procedures can also be handled via the technical systems of the point of single contact:

• Single point of contact
• Central Office for Foreign Education
• Certificate evaluation for foreign university qualifications
• Recognition in Germany" portal