For skilled professionals with a university degree from abroad, working in Austria often requires having your qualifications recognized. This process, known as nostrification, can differ depending on whether your degree is from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, or from a third country. Below, we’ll outline the steps and introduce INDIMA as an innovative solution for simplifying the recognition process for non-regulated professions.
Recognition for Degrees from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland
If you hold a degree from a university in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, the good news is that you generally do not need a full nostrification to work in Austria. Instead, you can take advantage of a quicker recognition process (known as Berufsanerkennungsverfahren or “recognition guide”), which helps employers assess your qualifications more efficiently.
Recognition for Degrees from Third Countries
If your degree is from a non-EU/EEA country (often referred to as third countries), you’ll likely need to undergo nostrification in Austria. The nostrification process involves applying to an Austrian public university, University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule), or University of Teacher Education (Pädagogische Hochschule) that offers a comparable degree.
The university reviews your qualifications and determines if any supplementary exams are required for equivalency. This evaluation process typically takes around three months, during which the university assesses your qualifications against Austrian standards.
ENIC NARIC Austria
For those new to the recognition process, the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (ENIC NARIC AUSTRIA), part of the Federal Ministry for Digital, Business and Enterprise (BMDW), is an ideal first contact point. ENIC NARIC provides guidance and resources to help individuals understand the steps needed to validate their foreign degrees in Austria. You can also submit your application through their Recognition Information Application System (AAIS), with fees up to €200.
Additionally, initial information and resources are available through organizations like the Anlaufstellen für Personen mit im Ausland erworbenen Qualifikationen (AST) and the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), which offer multilingual support to help you navigate the process.
Work Permits
In addition to recognition, foreign degree holders need to apply for a Beschäftigungsbewilligung (work permit) to legally work in Austria. This is an important step that should be considered alongside the qualification recognition process.
Regulated vs. Non-Regulated Professions in Austria
Regulated Professions
Certain professions in Austria are classified as regulated, meaning they have additional requirements for practice. These professions include doctors, architects, nurses, teachers, physiotherapists, and some specialized trades.
For regulated professions, the recognition process not only validates your degree but also checks additional competencies—like German language skills—necessary for the profession. The specific requirements also depend on whether you intend to work as a self-employed professional or as an employee.
Non-Regulated Professions
For non-regulated professions, the recognition process is typically simpler. You can begin your job search immediately after obtaining a validation from ENIC NARIC Austria. This validation serves as a “helpful expert report” that employers can use to assess your qualifications based on the specific needs of the job.
This is where INDIMA can play a transformative role.
INDIMA: Streamlining the Recognition Process for Non-Regulated Professions
For those entering non-regulated professions, INDIMA’s AI-driven platform offers a faster, more accessible way to validate foreign qualifications. INDIMA is designed to work as a pre-check tool, allowing candidates to receive an initial assessment of their qualifications without the lengthy waiting times associated with formal recognition processes.
INDIMA’s pre-check:
Reduces waiting times from months to minutes,
Automates document analysis to match foreign qualifications with Austrian standards,
Provides detailed reports that prospective employers can use to gauge a candidate’s fit for a given role.
While INDIMA currently serves as a pre-evaluation tool and does not yet issue formal recognition, it allows international candidates in non-regulated fields to quickly understand their standing, empowering them to pursue job opportunities without delay. This speeds up integration into the Austrian labor market, benefiting both skilled professionals and employers in need of qualified staff.
INDIMA is here to support your journey, transforming the qualification recognition process into a quick and reliable experience. Begin your path toward a fulfilling career in Austria with the help of our advanced AI technology.
Recognition of Foreign QualificationsRecognition of Foreign Qualifications
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