Can you transfer university credits to Germany from a non-EU country?

There is no automatic transfer, but there is a route: you apply for admission to a German university (first or a higher Fachsemester) and separately apply for your previous courses to be credited (Anrechnung). The university — usually its examination board — decides, not ZAB.

#Two separate steps

• Admission: your higher-education entrance qualification (HZB) and the programme's requirements are checked as in any application.
• Anrechnung (credit recognition): on application, the university decides which courses count. There is no automatic ECTS conversion.

#Lisbon Recognition Convention

Study periods completed in a state party to the convention are recognised unless the university can show a substantial difference; the burden of proof lies with the university, refusals must be justified and can be appealed. According to the ENIC-NARIC listing, Türkiye is among these states. Details are set in Land law and the programme's Prüfungsordnung.

#Starting in a higher semester

You need enough creditable achievements (at least one semester) and a free place — places are usually filled by students moving up from the previous semester. Example (FU Berlin): you send your course list to the subject advisory service, receive an Einstufungsprognose, and need an Einstufungsbescheid to enrol. Language courses are not credited.

A higher-semester place is not guaranteed, so contact the programme's advisers early.

Source: HRK nexus – recognition guide · FU Berlin – changing university