Nursing professionals from abroad

Recruiting nursing professionals from abroad: what needs to be considered?

If you want to recruit a nursing professional from abroad, the first step is to find out exactly which country you want to recruit from. The process varies depending on whether you are recruiting from an EU or non-EU country. Unlike Germany, many countries require an academic education to become a nurse – professional recognition therefore plays an important role. Nurses from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland generally receive automatic recognition of their foreign qualifications.

Nursing specialists from third countries

Nurses from third countries need an individual assessment to have their professional qualifications recognised. They have to go through a so-called recognition procedure. If there are substantial differences, they must undergo an adaptation programme. You can find more information in our section “Recognition of foreign qualifications” and on the “Anerkennung in Deutschland ” portal.

Here is a summary of the requirements for international nurses:

• Recognition of foreign professional qualifications: The competent recognition body in Germany checks whether the foreign professional qualification – which can also be a higher education qualification – is equivalent to the corresponding German reference profession “Pflegefachfrau/-mann, Pflegefachperson”. There are two options: International nurses can either have an equivalence assessment carried out, or they can waive this and complete an adaptation programme directly. Applications for the recognition of professional qualifications must be submitted to the competent body in the federal state in which the employment is to take place. The German recognition granted there is valid throughout Germany.
• Licence to practise a profession: The profession of a nurse is regulated in Germany. Those wishing to work in healthcare professions in Germany therefore require a state licence to practise their profession. As a rule, the following formal requirements must be met in addition to the recognised professional qualification:
  • German language skills: at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
  • Physical aptitude for the profession: a medical certificate from Germany or the applicant’s country of origin,
  • Certificate of good conduct: a certificate of good conduct or standing from the applicant’s country of origin or from the German police is required as proof that the applicant has no criminal record and is trustworthy.

Visas and residence permits for third-country nationals

Nationals of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland require a residence title to work as a nurse. Depending on the outcome of the recognition procedure, international nurses have the following options:

• Work visa for qualified professionals: If the foreign professional qualification has been fully recognised and the competent body in Germany has agreed to issue a licence to practise the profession, nurses from third countries can apply for a visa or residence permit to take up qualified employment under Section 18a of the Residence Act [AufenthG].  This type of visa can only be issued if the applicant fulfils the professional requirements (full recognition and licence to practise the profession) and can provide evidence of a concrete offer of employment as a nurse in Germany.
  
  Note: The EU Blue Card does not apply to nursing professionals.
• Visa for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications: If the procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications results in partial recognition and the applicant can therefore undergo refresher training in Germany, a residence title for the purpose of having a foreign professional qualification recognised is required in accordance with Section 16d of the Residence Act [AufenthG].

Since March 2024, the amendment to the Skilled Immigration Act [FEG] has also made it possible for skilled workers from abroad to enter Germany through a recognition partnership. If employers and international skilled workers commit to actively pursuing the recognition procedure, the process can be initiated from Germany, rather than from abroad. More information can be found in the "Recognition partnership" section.

You can find information on the possibilities of entering the German labour market as a nurse on the Federal Employment Agency  website.

As well as hiring fully qualified professionals, you can also recruit trainees or nursing assistants from third countries.

Recruiting nursing trainees from abroad: what rules apply?

There are special requirements for foreign applicants to train as health professionals in nursing:

• Intermediate school-leaving certificate
• German language skills: depending on the federal state where the training will take place, the applicant needs German language skills at level B2 or B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• Physical aptitude for the profession: a medical certificate from Germany or the applicant’s country of origin (can be submitted after entry)
• Certificate of good conduct: a certificate of good conduct or standing from the applicant’s country of origin or from the German police is required as proof that the applicant has no criminal record and is trustworthy.

Residence regulations

(Future) trainees from EU or EEA countries can enter Germany and start their training without a special residence permit. Persons from third countries require a visa or residence permit for vocational training according to Section 16a of the Residence Act [AufenthG].

Employment of assistants in nursing from abroad

Are you looking for auxiliary nursing and care staff? It is also possible to employ staff in care activities that require less than the three years of specialised vocational training required by federal law. This includes activities based on state-recognised vocational training, in particular as healthcare and nursing assistants, geriatric care assistants and care assistants, for which training of at least one year is required in Germany. 

The entry and work visa will be issued if the following requirements are met:

• The applicant has completed training as an assistant in nursing in Germany or has a recognised foreign qualification. Other provisions of the relevant national law, in particular those relating to the use of professional titles, must also be complied with.
• The Federal Employment Agency (BA) has approved the employment as an assistant in nursing under Section 22a of the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners (BeschV). The BA also checks working conditions (working hours, pay, etc.).
• If the assistant in nursing is over 45, they must earn a certain minimum salary for employment in Germany or provide proof of adequate pension provision. In 2025, this minimum salary is €53,130.

You will find more information on rules governing residence in the “Special regulation for assistants in nursing” visa section.

Next steps

✔ Check the options: Use our Quick check for employers to enter your needs and go through the feasible options step by step.

✔ Seek guidance: To find out more about skilled immigration, contact your local employer service  (AG-S) or the International and Specialised Services (ZAV)  of the Federal Employment Agency (BA).

✔ EURES  – the European Job Mobility Portal – can also help you find skilled workers from the EU/EEA.

✔ Post your vacancy in the “Make it in Germany” job listings to specifically attract international skilled workers.

✔ Recruitment or support projects (see below) can also help interested companies find the right skilled workers.

✔ International applicant profiles: health, published by the Federal Employment Agency (BA), presents a selection of highly motivated health professionals who are currently living abroad but would like to work in Germany.

Placement and projects

Are you considering seeking additional recruitment support? You can find basic information on private and government agencies in Germany in our “Placement agencies” section.

If you have decided to recruit nurses from abroad and want to integrate them into your organisation in the long term, a corporate integration management concept is essential. To this end, the German Competence Centre for International Skilled Workers in the Health and Nursing Professions (DKF) has developed a Welcome Culture & Integration Toolbox , which offers institutions or companies guidance based on 15 requirement fields.