Entry in the register of craftsmen with a university degree from an EU, EEA state or Switzerland

You can independently practise a craft requiring a license with a university degree obtained in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland if the focus of your studies corresponds to that of the craft to be practised.

Registration in the Register of Craftsmen is necessary if you wish to operate a craft requiring a license in Germany.
Registration in the Register of Craftsmen is possible for

• natural or legal persons and
• partnerships with legal capacity.

This also applies if

• you wish to carry out a significant part of a craft requiring a license on a self-employed basis.
• you wish to carry out several trades requiring a license independently. In this case, you will need to be entered in the Register of Craftsmen for each craft requiring a license.

As a rule, entry in the Register of Craftsmen requires a passed master craftsman's examination or at least an equivalent professional qualification, which may have been obtained in Germany or abroad. It is therefore also possible to be entered on the Register of Craftsmen on the basis of a university degree (e.g. engineering degree) successfully completed in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland with a standard period of study of at least three years full-time, provided that the focus of the degree corresponds to that of the craft to be practiced. If vocational training is required in addition to studies in the country of origin, proof must be provided that this has been completed. Proof of qualification must be provided by the owner of the business or an employed business manager who is responsible for technical management.

The Chamber of Skilled Crafts in Hesse in whose district the main commercial establishment is located is responsible.

Sole proprietorship:

• Copy of identity card or comparable identification document
• Copy of university degree certificate
• Copy of business registration (can be submitted after entry in the register of craftsmen)

Companies under civil law (GbR):

• Copies of the identity cards or comparable identification documents of the partners or authorized representatives
• Copy of the articles of association (if not concluded informally)
• Copy of university degree certificates
• Copy of the business registration (can be submitted after entry in the trade register)

Legally capable commercial partnerships of the general partnership (OHG), limited partnership (KG) and corresponding foreign company forms:

• Copies of the identity cards or comparable identification documents of the shareholders or persons authorized to represent the company
• For proof of the legal form of the company
  • if the company is based in Germany:
    • for companies entered in the commercial register: extract from the register, for general partnerships additionally a copy of the articles of association
    • if no entry in the register has been made: copy of the articles of association
  • for foreign legal forms:
    • Extract from the relevant foreign register for companies entered in registers, otherwise
    • Copy of the articles of association
  • Copy of degree certificates from the university
  • Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the trade register)

Legal entities - limited liability company (GmbH), limited liability entrepreneurial company (UG), public limited company (AG), registered cooperative (eG):

• Copies of the identity cards or comparable identification documents of the persons authorized to represent the company
• for proof of the company's legal form:
  • for companies based in Germany: extract from the commercial or cooperative register
  • for foreign legal forms: Extract from the relevant foreign register
• Copy of the business registration (can be submitted subsequently after entry in the register of craftsmen)
• Details of the company management

If a manager is employed, the following documents must also be submitted:

• Plant manager's declaration
• Proof of the manager's activity (copy of the employment contract)
• Proof of social insurance for the operations manager
• A copy of the university degree certificate
  

You can be entered in the register of craftsmen for the purpose of practising a craft requiring a license if you have completed a university degree in a member state of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland that meets the following requirements:

• Completion of at least 3 years of full-time or part-time education of equivalent duration at a university, college or other educational institution providing an equivalent level of education.
• The main focus of study must correspond to that of the trade to be practiced.
• If vocational training is required in addition to the course of study, proof must also be provided that this has been completed.
  

You can find information on the existing legal remedies in your notification.

You can only practice a craft requiring a license if you are entered in the register of craftsmen. You must therefore apply for entry in the register of craftsmen at an early stage.

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The specific fee can be found in the Chamber of Crafts' schedule of fees, which is available on the Chamber's website.

There are no indications or special features.