Abstract

Formal qualifications are of great importance for professional success in Germany. Nevertheless, only about one-fifth of migrants with professional qualifications have them recognized within two years of immigrating to Germany. This project evaluates the Recognition Act, which came into force in 2012 and was introduced to simplify the recognition of foreign professional qualifications for non-EU immigrants in Germany. The evaluation is based on detailed administrative social security and survey data in a difference-in-differences design. On the one hand, the effects of the reform on the share of non-EU immigrants with professional recognition are examined, and on the other hand, their employment in regulated professions (e.g. nurses) after the reform. Another object of analysis is whether an influx of non-EU immigrants in regulated occupations leads to these immigrants having lower skills or receiving lower wages.