The complete Guide to Anabin in 2026

TL;DR

• anabin is Germany’s official database (run by ZAB for the KMK) for checking whether a foreign university and degree are recognized for study or work purposes.
• For most cases you need two checks: your institution status (often H+, H-, or H+/-) and your degree entry (often “entspricht” or “gleichwertig” for comparability).
• If anabin has no usable entry for your specific situation, you may need a Statement of Comparability from ZAB (Zeugnisbewertung).
• anabin is in German and can be confusing, but you can usually resolve it by following the same order: institution first, then degree, then next steps.

What anabin is

anabin is an information portal for foreign educational credentials. It helps authorities, employers, and individuals classify foreign qualifications within the German education system.

It is developed by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) and maintained by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).

When you need anabin

You may be asked for anabin evidence in situations like:

• Applying for a skilled worker visa, Opportunity Card, or some work related residence titles
• Proving your foreign degree is comparable for an employer
• Clarifying whether your university is recognized
• Planning next steps if your institution is not clearly recognized

What this guide covers

This guide explains:

• The main parts of anabin
• The key statuses and what they mean
• A step by step process to check your institution and your degree
• What to do if you see H+/- or cannot find your degree

The parts of anabin that matter

Most people only need two sections:

Institutions

This is where you check your university or institution and its status (for example H+).

Higher education degrees

This is where you check how a specific degree is evaluated (for example “entspricht” or “gleichwertig”).

How to check your institution step by step

1. Go to the Institutions section in anabin.
2. Select the country where your institution is located.
3. Search by city or name (try multiple spellings).
4. Open the institution record and look for the status.

What H+, H-, and H+/- mean

H+

H+ usually means the institution is recognized as a higher education institution for German evaluation purposes.

H-

H- usually means the institution is not recognized as a university level higher education institution in the way Germany expects. That often creates problems for recognition, visas, and admissions.

H+/-

H+/- means the institution cannot be categorized as fully recognized or not recognized in a simple way. It can indicate that recognition depends on additional criteria, the specific degree, the program type, or other conditions.

anabin itself explains that foreign degrees can usually only be recognized if they were obtained at a state or state recognized institution, and that H+ marks such institutions, while H+/- indicates additional criteria can apply.

How to check your degree step by step

After you have checked your institution, check the degree entry.

1. Go to the Higher education degrees section.
2. Select the country where you earned the degree.
3. Filter by degree type (for example Bachelor, Master) if available.
4. Find the closest matching degree name and open the record.
5. Look for the evaluation wording and any conditions.

Make it in Germany summarizes the common expectation as:

• Your university should be H+ in anabin
• Your academic degree should be evaluated as “entspricht” or “gleichwertig”
• If the university is H+/-, the academic degree must be indicated together with the university and may require extra checks

What to do if you cannot find your university or degree

If you cannot find your university

• Try alternate spellings, abbreviations, and the local language name.
• Search by city or institution type.
• If still missing, you may need a formal evaluation path rather than an anabin printout.

If you find your university but not your degree

This can happen. In practice, authorities may then ask for a Statement of Comparability or other proof, depending on why the degree is missing.

If your university is H+/- or your degree is conditional

Treat this as a “case needs clarification” signal:

• Gather your full degree documents (diploma, transcript, curriculum if available).
• Ask the authority or employer what proof they accept.
• Consider applying for a Statement of Comparability if required.

ZAB and the Statement of Comparability

If anabin does not give you a clear, usable result, ZAB can issue a Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung). It is an official certificate that compares your foreign university degree to the German education system.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Checking only the degree but not the institution status
• Assuming H+ guarantees visa approval without further proof
• Printing the wrong page (you usually need the detailed record view, not just the search results)
• Using unofficial screenshots when an authority expects a formal evaluation

FAQ

Is anabin only for work visas or also for studying

It is used in both contexts. It can help you understand whether an institution and degree are recognized and what the German system considers comparable, which matters for both admissions and immigration decisions.

Is H+ enough to prove my degree is recognized

Usually not by itself. H+ is often a prerequisite for the institution, but many processes also look for a degree evaluation entry or require a formal Statement of Comparability.

What does H+/- mean in practice

It means the institution is not categorized in a simple way. Recognition may depend on additional criteria or on the specific degree and program details. In unclear cases you may need a formal evaluation.

What if my university is H-

This can be a serious obstacle. Depending on your goal, you may need to pursue a different pathway, provide additional proof, or consider formal evaluation options. For many recognition based processes, an H- institution makes approval much harder.

What if I cannot find my degree in anabin

This happens for some countries and programs. In that case, the authority or employer may ask for a Statement of Comparability from ZAB or another official evaluation route.

Who runs anabin