Free tool
Anabin checker: is your university recognised in Germany?
Type your university's name or city to see its anabin status. H+ is recognised, H+/- is decided case by case, H- is not recognised.
Type at least 2 letters of the name or city. Anabin lists countries, and some universities, under their German or local name.
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The lookup did not answer. Try again, or check anabin.kmk.org directly.
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What the three anabin statuses mean
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| H+ | Recognised as a higher education institution | Check your degree type next, then apply |
| H+/- | No single answer for the whole institution | Check the degree entry in anabin, or ask the ZAB for a Statement of Comparability |
| H- | Not recognised as a higher education institution | The degree normally cannot be used for a German master or a degree-based visa |
The institution is only half of the check
Anabin rates two things separately: the institution (the H status above) and the degree. A recognised university can still award a degree that Germany does not treat as a full bachelor, and that is the part that decides master admission and visas such as the EU Blue Card. After you find your university here, look up your degree type on anabin as well. If either is missing or unclear, the ZAB issues a Statement of Comparability for your individual certificate.
Results come from our copy of the public anabin database, last synced in March 2026. Anabin changes entries from time to time, so confirm the status on anabin.kmk.org before you rely on it. The German university, uni-assist or the authority handling your case makes the final decision.
Anabin questions people ask
- What is anabin?
- Anabin is the database of the German Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB, part of the KMK). It records how foreign higher education institutions and degrees are classified in Germany. Universities, uni-assist, embassies and employers use it to decide whether a foreign degree counts.
- What does H+ mean in anabin?
- H+ means the institution is recognised as a higher education institution in its home country and is treated as one in Germany. It is the status you want. It covers the institution only: your degree type is assessed separately.
- What does H+/- mean in anabin?
- H+/- means anabin cannot give one answer for the whole institution. Some of its degrees or departments are recognised and others are not, so each case is checked individually, usually through the degree entry in anabin or a ZAB Statement of Comparability.
- What does H- mean in anabin?
- H- means the institution is not recognised as a higher education institution in Germany. A degree from an H- institution normally cannot be used for admission to a German master or for a visa that requires a recognised degree.
- My university is not in the list. What now?
- Try a shorter part of the name, the city, or the name in the local language, because anabin often lists institutions under their original name. If it is still missing, the institution has not been assessed yet and you can apply to the ZAB for a Statement of Comparability.
- Is H+ enough to study or work in Germany?
- No. H+ covers the institution. Your degree also has to be rated as comparable to a German degree (anabin uses "entspricht" or "gleichwertig"). For a master, the German university still decides admission on grades, credits and subject fit.