Nursing professionals Would you like to work as a nurse in Germany? Find more information on your career options here. On this page On this page Working in Germany as a nursing professional Your tasks in the nursing field People who can work as nursing professionals in Germany Visa for nursing professionals: when is it necessary? Assistance in finding a job: placement and programmes Your entry into nursing - the next steps Working in Germany as a nursing professional Thanks to the excellent living conditions in Germany, a considerable proportion of the population enjoys good health well into old age. However, with increasing life expectancy and an ageing society, combined with the decreasing number of young people beginning their professional career, the demand for professional nursing as well as basic medical care is rising. Germany does have a stable healthcare system ; nevertheless, nursing professionals remain to be in high demand and their contribution is more important than ever. Hospitals, long-term care facilities and other healthcare facilities are always on the lookout for nurses with various levels of qualification in order to meet the increasing demand in the healthcare and nursing professions. This demand is predicted to increase in the following years. International nurses have long been an important pillar in German hospitals and care facilities. As a result, there are an increasing number of multicultural teams working in German healthcare facilities. Would you

Useful everyday knowledge Find answers to frequently asked questions about Germany. Topics range from public holidays and emergency numbers to mobile phone contracts. Useful everyday knowledge Many things are different in Germany, such as opening hours of stores, waste separation or the purchase of a SIM card. Here you will find answers to the most important questions about everyday life in Germany. What public holidays are there in Germany? In Germany, public holidays are determined by the federal states. The only exception is the national holiday on 3 October – the Day of German Unity – which is set by federal law and applies throughout Germany. There are also a number of public holidays that have been declared by all the federal states, which means that they apply to the whole of Germany. Examples include New Year’s Day, Easter and Christmas. In Germany, you do not have to work on public holidays and your children do not have to go to school. Shops and supermarkets remain closed on public holidays, which is why many German families use such days to go on trips or simply to relax. Most public holidays in Germany have a religious background, especially at Christmas and Easter, when a sense of peace and quiet is expected. The climate in Germany Germany has a temperate climate with continental influences. This means that there are distinct seasons with different temperatures. The average annual temperature is 10.9 degrees. In the north of Germany, especially in the coastal regions,

Leisure What is life like in Germany? This section contains information on what you can do in your free time and how to meet new people in Germany. Getting to know new people It can be difficult to move to a new country and leave all your friends and family behind. Here are some useful tips to help you settle in quickly in Germany! Do you like to play football, or would you like to try your hand at a new sport? Germany has a strong club culture. You are free to join any sports club and meet new people. Check out the clubs in your area – either in person or online – or just ask your new colleagues. Those who prefer mental to physical exercise can take a course at an adult education centre (External link) . You can take courses on a wide range of topics at one of over 840 locations across Germany. Adult education centres also offer language courses – you may meet other skilled workers from abroad who are in a similar situation and are also looking for contacts in Germany. Those with a creative streak can take art classes or join a drama group or choir. Many municipalities have their own special communities or charitable organisations that are always on the look-out for new helpers. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people while doing something good for society. Often there are also clubs dedicated to promoting intercultural exchange in a city. They organise all kinds of events where you can meet new people and improve your German. Some cities also run cultural clubs where

Housing and registration Finding a new home in Germany. We show you how to successfully find an apartment or a room in Germany. There is a large supply of high-quality rental accommodation in Germany, but demand is also high, especially in the major cities. We give you tips and explain what you should consider before and after moving in. Your first accommodation Until you find a place to live in Germany, you can stay in a furnished holiday flat, hostel, hotel or youth hostel. However, it will not normally be possible to register this address as your place of residence. Please note that you are required to register your place of residence with the relevant authorities within two weeks of your arrival in Germany. (See the “Moving in” section.) What types of accommodation are available? There are many ways to feel at home in Germany. The following options are available to you: Rental flats Long-term accommodation (three months’ notice) Not usually furnished; not always equipped with a kitchen Short lets Temporary accommodation for a fixed period Usually furnished Flatshare Individual and usually flexible rental periods and furnishing arrangements Shared accommodation with flatmates, usually cheaper than living alone Usually a shared kitchen and bathroom; each resident has their own private room Student residences (for students only) Usually furnished, relatively inexpensive A range of different options: individual apartments, single rooms with a shared kitchen and bathrooms, parent-child

Careers in transport Do you enjoy travelling, especially in your daily work? Whether trains, HGVs or ships are your preferred mode, join the German transport sector! On this page On this page These professions are in demand in the transport industry Becoming a train driver: Requirements and opportunities Working in shipping: your options Visa for transport professions: What you should know Is it necessary to have your qualifications recognised? Your guide to a profession in transport: the next steps Why transport professions have a future in Germany Germany lies at the heart of Europe and has, by global standards, a very well-developed infrastructure – ideal conditions for transporting goods and people. Why is this sector important to Germany? Logistics is one of the country’s largest economic sectors. Several thousand transport requests are met daily in Germany. The majority of goods are currently transported by heavy goods vehicle (HGV). Next comes rail transport, followed by maritime shipping and inland navigation. The German economy is highly dependent on qualified drivers for all transport routes – but not only for transporting freight. Passenger transport is also of great importance for the German economy and society. In Germany, the number of people using local public transport has never been as high as it is today, and qualified staff are needed to operate these vehicles. Transport in Germany: figures at a glance Around 480,000 people in Germany were working as professional

Placement agencies Are you thinking about using a placement agency for your immigration process to Germany? Read on to find out what skilled workers from abroad need to keep in mind, and what alternatives are available. “Make it in Germany” provides you with all the information you need to live and work in Germany – from finding a job and completing the visa process to settling in . Here you can find out everything you need to know to complete the process of entering Germany and taking up employment independently. However, if in addition you would like to receive individual and comprehensive support in the placement process, you have two options: you can use public services or private placement agencies. Practical information on both options is provided below: State-run placement In Germany, the International Services (ZAV) of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) is the official point of contact for the recruitment of skilled foreign workers. Both skilled workers from abroad and employers in Germany can contact the BA for information and advice (External link) . In selected partner countries, the ZAV also implements various projects and programmes for specific professional sectors. Public placement projects adhere to ethical recruitment standards. You will find more information on the Federal Employment Agency website (External link) . Private sector placement Private placement agencies are another way of finding a job in Germany and organising the entry process. There is no special

Physicians The Federal Republic of Germany is dependent on young medical professionals. Become a part of the German health service as a doctor. On this page On this page Working as a doctor in Germany What is a doctor's job in Germany? What requirements apply to doctors from abroad? Visa for doctors: when is it necessary? Specialized!: Recruitment of doctors from Mexico and Colombia How to start your career as a doctor in Germany Working as a doctor in Germany In comparison to other countries, Germany has a highly effective healthcare system . Using the latest treatment methods and modern medical instruments allows for a high level of care. A dense network of hospitals and local doctors ensure that patients swiftly receive the medical services necessary for them. The ongoing digitalisation in the healthcare sector continues to reveal new opportunities for medical care. Thus, data in electronic patient files is rapidly available, and access to digital healthcare applications and telemedicine can be established. This testifies to the great innovative power of the German healthcare sector and its dynamic economic sector. With about 7.7 million employees, the public health service is also a crucial resource for employment; the number of employees has been increasing steadily for years. As of right now, about 446,100 doctors make sure that patients are well cared for. What is a doctor's job in Germany? A new generation of medical personnel is urgently required in Germany. The demand will

Financial support for families In Germany, it is possible for both parents to take parental leave after the birth of their child. You can find further information on the duration and possibilities for financial support here. Parental leave After the birth of a child, mothers and fathers have the right to take a break from work to care for their child and spend time with their family. During this time, the employer may only terminate the employment relationship in exceptional circumstances (e.g. insolvency, shutdown of the business). As an employee, you can request up to three years off work from your employer. During this time, you do not have to work. But if you choose not to work, you will not receive any pay. One way to compensate for this is to apply for parental allowance. You can take parental leave before your child’s third birthday. You can also take some parental leave between your child’s third and eighth birthdays. In other words: you can take parental leave when you and your child really need it. At the end of parental leave, parents have the right to work as much as they did before taking parental leave. If you wish to apply for parental leave, the Parental Allowance Offices can help you. You can find their addresses on the familienportal.de (External link) website. Who is entitled to parental leave? Employees who have a German employment contract – whether full-time, part-time, marginal employment, fixed-term or permanent contract, etc. – are entitled to parental

Other professions in demand Here you will find a list of other professions in demand in the fields of medicine and health, medical technology, hospitality and gastronomy, as well as education. On this page On this page Medical professions Professions in medical technology Hotel and gastronomy industry Professions in education In this video: How do I find a job in Germany? The next steps: From the application to starting work Germany offers attractive career opportunities for international skilled workers. There is a particularly high demand in health care , medical technology, hotel and gastronomy , and the educational sector . This overview shows you a selection of in-demand professional fields where qualified skilled workers can find a variety of opportunities. By clicking on the respective professions, you will find more detailed information on the respective career field in Germany. Medical professions Germany needs qualified medical personnel to make sure the health care system remains stable. As an international skilled worker in health care, you will find diverse opportunities in this sector. This section shows you which medical and therapeutic fields in Germany currently have a high demand for staff. Dental assistant Medical assistant Veterinary assistant Physiotherapist Occupational therapist Pharmacist , pharmacologist Medical technical professions in radiology: e.g. radiologic technologists Surgical technologist , anaesthesiologist assistant Paramedic , emergency

Language classes It is worthwhile learning the German language before entering Germany. Find German courses in your area. Key facts at a glance German is the most commonly spoken mother tongue in Europe Around 130 million people worldwide speak German as a first or second language German is an official language of Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Liechtenstein Initially, you will be able to get by in English in many parts of Germany. However, it is essential to learn German if you plan to stay in the country on a fairly long-term basis. You will quickly find that it is difficult to get by without German, especially at work, when dealing with the authorities, when shopping or in your private life. Learning German is therefore highly recommended. Ideally, you should start learning the language in your home country. You can start learning at the Goethe-Institut (External link) , for example, since the cultural institution of the Federal Republic of Germany is responsible for promoting the German language and culture. To this end, the Goethe-Institut offers German courses at 151 locations in Germany and abroad. To find a Goethe-Institut near you, go to our our overview of advisory and contact points . The Goethe-Institut’s German certificates are officially recognised for many different purposes. How to find quality language schools abroad The Goethe-Institut has compiled quality criteria for language schools abroad (External link) which you can use to identify