Architektenkammer - Recht zur Führung der Berufsbezeichnung "Stadtplanerin" / "Stadtplaner" (ausländische Qualifikation, Niederlassung)

If you wish to settle permanently in Thuringia and use the professional title of "town planner", you must be entered in the list of town planners at the Chamber of Architects. You must apply for registration.

The professional title "urban planner" is regulated in Thuringia. This means that the use of this professional title is bound by legal regulations (Thuringian Chamber of Architects and Engineers Act - ThürAIKG -) to the possession of certain professional qualifications.

If you wish to settle permanently in Thuringia and use the professional title of "town planner", you must be entered in the list of town planners at the Thuringian Chamber of Architects. Registration must be applied for.

Registration in the list of town planners and thus the authorization to use the professional title "town planner" is helpful for the exercise of your professional activity, but is not a mandatory requirement. This means that you can apply for a job on the job market and carry out the activities of an urban planner (e.g. as an employee in an urban planning office) without being entered in the list of urban planners. However, you may not then use the protected professional title of "town planner".

As a rule, you will need the following documents in particular:

• Proof of main residence, professional establishment or place of predominant professional activity in Thuringia
• Proof of identity
• Proof of citizenship
• Proof of training acquired abroad
• Proof of relevant professional experience
• Further documents, if applicable

As a rule, copies of all documents and certificates must be submitted. All documents and certificates must be translated into German by a publicly appointed or sworn interpreter or translator.

At least EUR 150 up to a maximum of EUR 400

One of the requirements for entry in the list of urban planners is a university degree in urban planning with a standard period of study of at least three years. In addition, further registration requirements must be met.

The assessment (equivalence / significant differences) of a foreign professional qualification in relation to a German reference qualification can only be considered as part of a registration procedure; the ThürAIKG does not provide for an independent recognition procedure with a final decision on the merits.

Qualifications from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland

For EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and persons treated as such (e.g. family members, spouses of EU citizens, third-country nationals with long-term residence status), proof of training that is required in an EU/EEA state/Switzerland (regulated profession) is sufficient to obtain permission to use the professional title of "urban planner" in that state; if the profession is not regulated in the country of origin, the guarantee of knowledge provided by the regulation is replaced by proof of one year's professional experience or by any regulated training provided. If the foreign professional qualification differs significantly from the registration requirements applicable to graduates in urban planning from a German university, the Chamber of Architects will impose compensatory measures (aptitude test, adaptation course).

In the case of (non-equivalent) third-country nationals, the recognition of their training certificates in urban planning requires that their equivalence with the corresponding German qualification (reference qualification) be established beforehand. If there are significant differences, the Chamber of Architects will impose compensatory measures (aptitude test, adaptation course).

Qualifications from third countries

The prerequisite for the recognition of training certificates in urban planning issued in third countries is that their equivalence with the corresponding German qualification (reference qualification) is established beforehand. If there are significant differences, the Chamber of Architects will impose compensatory measures (aptitude test, adaptation course).

Registration procedures can also be processed via the technical systems of the single point of contact:

The Chamber of Architects shall decide on the application for entry in the list of town planners within three months of receipt of the complete documentation. In individual cases, the deadline may be extended once by up to one month if this is justified due to the special nature of the matter.

No deadlines need to be observed.

The recognition and qualification advice centers of the "Integration through Qualification" network (IQ network) will be happy to advise and support you before, during and after the recognition procedure.

No review in preliminary proceedings (opposition proceedings) is required before an administrative court action is brought against a decision of the registration committee at the Chamber of Architects.

• Right to use the professional title "town planner" (foreign qualification, establishment)
• The use of the professional title "Stadtplanerin" / "Stadtplaner" is linked to the possession of certain professional qualifications.
• In order to use the professional title, registration with the Chamber of Architects must be applied for.
• A written application must be submitted together with the required documents.
• Application also possible online.
• Fees apply.
• Responsible: Thuringia Chamber of Architects

Please contact the Thuringia Chamber of Architects.

The Thuringian application system for administrative services (ThAVEL) provides you with the necessary application document on a virtual desk.

You can also submit your informal application in writing to the competent authority.