The German labour market is also open to assistants in nursing from third countries. This means that people with less than three years of vocational training in nursing – or training recognised as less than three years – are able to work in the health and care sector. To find out if you need a visa to enter or a residence permit to stay in Germany, see the “Do I need a visa?” section.
You want to work as an assistant in nursing?
To take up employment as an assistant in nursing, you must meet the following conditions:
- You must have a concrete job offer as an assistant in nursing in Germany. Ideally, you will have already signed an employment contract with your future employer.
- You have successfully completed vocational training as a nursing or care assistant in Germany
- or you have a foreign nursing qualification that is recognised in Germany for the purpose of assisting in nursing: For more information on the procedure for the recognition of foreign. qualifications, please visit the “Anerkennung in Deutschland” portal.
Which residence title do third-country nationals need?
If you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA State or Switzerland, you must apply for a residence title before taking up employment as an assistant in nursing. This is issued if the Federal Employment Agency (BA) has approved your employment under Section 22a of the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners (BeschV). The Federal Employment Agency will check that your working conditions are equivalent to those of German assistants in nursing.
