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POINTS CLÉS
- H+ means the candidate's university is fully recognised in Germany;
- H- means it isn't, and the standard Blue Card route is usually blocked.
- H+/- is the grey zone: only specific programmes at that university qualify, so degree-level checks become mandatory.
- Even an H+ rating doesn't help if the degree title on the certificate doesn't match the Anabin entry exactly.
- For H- or unclear cases, a ZAB Statement of Comparability (EUR 208, ~2 weeks under Blue Card category) is your fallback.
- Check Anabin status at the offer stage, not after the candidate signs. A 5-minute check prevents a 6-week delay.
- Partner with Jobbatical team to take care of all Anabin issues and complexities
You receive a strong CV. The salary fits the EU Blue Card threshold. The candidate seems perfect, until you check their university on the Anabin database and the rating reads H- instead of H+. That single letter can stall your hire by months, or kill the application entirely. Here is how to read Anabin ratings like a hiring manager, not a researcher.
What Anabin Actually Tells You
Anabin is the official German database that classifies foreign universities and degrees. For an EU Blue Card hire, two things must check out: the university rating, and the degree itself. Most rejections happen because HR teams check only one.
Anabin University Ratings at a Glance
Comparison of Anabin H+, H+/-, and H- ratings and their impact on EU Blue Card hiring decisions.
H+ Rating: Your Cleanest Path
What this means for you:
- The university itself meets German higher education standards
- The specific degree must still show Gleichwertig or Entspricht in Anabin
- No ZAB Statement of Comparability is usually needed
- Embassies typically accept this directly
What to do:
- Print both the university and the degree entries from Anabin
- Attach both to the visa file (see the full Germany EU Blue Card document checklist)
- Confirm the Anabin degree title matches the candidate's certificate, word for word
One catch: even with H+, if the specific degree isn't listed in Anabin, you will still need a ZAB Statement of Comparability. This trips up more employers than it should.
H+/- Rating: The Grey Zone
H+/- means the university has some accredited programmes and some that are not. Whether your hire qualifies depends entirely on the specific programme.
What this means for you:
- The candidate's exact degree must appear under "Verleihende Institutionen"
- If it is listed, the Blue Card route is open
- If it is not listed, you need a ZAB Statement of Comparability
- US-based applicants face stricter embassy interpretation than candidates already in Germany
In practice, Berlin's Ausländerbehörde tends to accept H+/- with the university printout alone. Embassies abroad, especially in the US, insist on the degree being explicitly listed or ZAB-evaluated. Plan for the stricter scenario.
H- Rating: Where Most Hires Stall
H- means the university itself is not recognised in Germany. This is not a soft warning; it is a recognition wall.
What this means for you:
- The standard Blue Card route is usually blocked
- A ZAB review of the specific degree may still produce a positive result, but the odds drop sharply
- Plan for delays or alternative permits
Your options:
- Submit a ZAB Statement of Comparability (EUR 208, around 2 weeks under the Blue Card category)
- For tech roles, explore the IT specialist route without a degree (3+ years relevant experience)
- Consider a Section 19c experienced employee permit as a backup
- Reassess whether this candidate fits the Blue Card sponsorship plan now
ZAB Statement of Comparability document : EU Blue Card degree recognition
The Hidden Risk: Degree Title Mismatch
Even with H+ status, the application can be rejected if the degree title on the certificate does not match the Anabin entry exactly. A "Bachelor of Science in Physics" appearing as "Physics / Electro-Optic Engineering" in Anabin will trigger ZAB review every time. Check this before the visa appointment, not after.
- Pull the Anabin entry for the university. Note H+, H+/-, or H-.
- Pull the degree entry. Confirm Gleichwertig or Entspricht status.
- Verify the degree title matches the candidate's certificate, character for character.
Three Checks Before You Extend the Offer
If any of these flag, build in 2-4 extra weeks for ZAB processing under the Blue Card category. For an H- university, budget 2-3 months or pivot to an alternative permit. Honestly, most employers leave this check until the embassy raises it, by which point the start date is already at risk.
Decision flowchart for HR teams on how to handle different Anabin ratings during an EU Blue Card application
If recognition feels uncertain, run the Germany pre-hiring check before signing the contract. Five minutes upfront beats a six-week delay at the embassy. Or book a demo to see how we handle Anabin verification and ZAB filings end-to-end as part of your Germany EU Blue Card hiring flow.
Avertissement : les règles en matière d'immigration changent assez fréquemment ; veuillez vous renseigner auprès de sources officielles ou nous contacter pour obtenir les dernières informations avant de prendre toute décision.
Frequently Asked Questions: Anabin Ratings and EU Blue Card Hires
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