Central Recognition Office (ZAA)
We help with the recognition of foreign qualifications and answer questions about the Recognition Act.
About Us
The IQ project Central Recognition Office (Zentrale Anlaufstelle Anerkennung, ZAA) executed by the Diakonisches Werk Hamburg provides advice and support on the recognition of foreign qualifications and information on the Recognition Act.
On 1 October 2025, the ZAA celebrated its 15th anniversary. Further information can be found here.
Our Services
We advise people with foreign educational and professional qualifications:
- We offer professional advice and support and provide detailed information about the relevant recognition authorities.
- We provide information on financing options for recognition procedures under SGB II and SGB III and check the requirements for the City of Hamburg's subordinate scholarship program.
- We answer your questions about the recognition notice and explain whether you still need adaptation qualifications to obtain final recognition.
- We advise on residence law issues in the context of the recognition of foreign educational and professional qualifications.
Advice is provided in the language of the person seeking advice, if necessary with the help of interpreters. Flyers in various languages are available on the website of the Diakonie Hamburg.
The ZAA also offers training on the topic of recognition for employment services and other stakeholders involved in the labor market integration of people with foreign qualifications.
Contact Information
To schedule an appointment and receive counseling, we require the following information in advance:
- the declaration of consent that you have checked with “I hereby agree to...,”
- the completed counseling form (web form),
- the documents listed in the form.
To do so, please visit our website. Here, our web form will guide you through the appointment request process and you can submit the required documents online.
After reviewing your information and documents, we will get back to you by email. Please check your email inbox and spam folder regularly.
We will be happy to advise you in writing or by appointment via video conference, by telephone, or in person (in an individual appointment or in a qualification-specific group consultation) at the Hamburg Welcome Center (HWC).
Please note: Consultations are only possible by appointment.
Telephone office hours:
Monday, Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tel.: +49 40 42839-5576
Email: zaa@welcome.hamburg.de
www.anlaufstelle-anerkennung.de
You will find the Hamburg Welcome Center in the
Süderstraße 32b
20097 Hamburg
Show directions
Our Sponsors
The Central Recognition Office (ZAA) is funded as part of the IQ Integration through Qualification funding programme. The IQ Integration through Qualification funding programme is supported by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus) and administered by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Partners in the implementation are the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth and the Federal Employment Agency.
The Central Recognition Office (ZAA) is largely funded by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and is part of Hamburg Welcome Center (HWC).
