Applying for recognition of a foreign amateur radio examination certificate or amateur radio authorization

Would you like to obtain an amateur radio license in Germany and already have a foreign amateur radio license or amateur radio examination certificate? Then you can have these recognized by the Federal Network Agency under certain conditions.

If you wish to obtain an amateur radio license in Germany, you must first pass an amateur radio examination.

However, if you already have a foreign amateur radio examination certificate or a foreign amateur radio license, you can have these recognized as equivalent under certain conditions. To do this, submit an application to the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA).

The BNetzA can only recognize your documents if the requirements and content of the foreign examination you have passed can be classified as equivalent to those of the German amateur radio examination.

The BNetzA can process your application more quickly if you have one of the following foreign examination certificates:

• Examination certificate according to CEPT recommendation T/R 61-02 (HAREC):
  • CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-02 lists the participating countries including the corresponding amateur radio licenses.
  • If you have successfully passed a corresponding amateur radio examination with one of the administrations of the countries listed there, the responsible foreign administration can issue you a corresponding examination certificate (HAREC) upon request.
  • This examination certificate is recognized as equivalent to the German class A amateur radio certificate without a separate recognition procedure.
• Examination certificate according to ERC Report 32:
  • ERC Report 32 describes the details of the CEPT Novice class.
  • However, it does not contain any information on the participating countries.
  • If you have successfully passed a corresponding amateur radio examination with a foreign administration, the administration in question can issue you with a corresponding CEPT Novice examination certificate upon request.
  • No fees are charged by the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) for the recognition of an examination certificate in accordance with ERC Report 32.

If you have taken your amateur radio examination in a country that has acceded to CEPT Recommendation T/R61-02 and can therefore issue a HAREC, you should apply to this foreign administration for an amateur radio examination certificate in accordance with CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-02 (HAREC). The same applies if you have passed an amateur radio examination abroad that meets the requirements of ERC Report 32.

• Application form
• a copy of your
  • foreign amateur radio license or
  • amateur radio examination certificate
• a certified translation of your foreign examination certificate or amateur radio license if it is not issued in one of the following languages:
  • English,
  • French,
  • German
• If you apply for recognition in writing by e-mail or post, you will need a means of identification:
  • a copy of your identity card on both sides or
  • a copy of your passport

• You have a
  • foreign amateur radio license or
  • a foreign amateur radio examination certificate.
• The contents and requirements of the foreign examination you have passed are equivalent to those of the German amateur radio certificate.

• Contradiction
  • Further information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the notification or the fee notice.
• Administrative court action

You can submit your application for recognition of your foreign amateur radio examination certificate or authorization to the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) online, by e-mail or by post

Online application:

• Call up the online application on the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de. This will guide you step by step through the necessary information. Complete the application in full online.
• Upload the required documents and submit the application online. At the same time, you can apply for authorization to participate in the amateur radio service.
• The BNetzA will check and process your application.
• The BNetzA will send you a decision and a request for payment.
• You transfer the fee.

Application by e-mail or post:

• Go to the BNetzA website and open the application form.
• You can either
• fill it out directly online
• or download it and then complete it. In the application form, you can also apply for authorization to participate in the amateur radio service.
• Then send the signed application to the Federal Network Agency by e-mail or post.
• Once the application has been sent, the BNetzA will check and process your application.
• The BNetzA will send you a decision and a request for payment.
• You transfer the fee.

There is no deadline.

One-off fees are generally charged for official acts in connection with the application for recognition of a foreign amateur radio examination certificate or amateur radio authorization: Fee 35,00 EUR (Information on cost composition can be found here)