BETAOur new website is in test mode. Found an error, a comment on the content, an objection or an idea? Report a problem
Route · Work as a nurse in Germany
Nursing in Germany
Licence to practise as a nurse · Nursing Professions Act + Section 16d Residence Act
Nursing is a regulated profession in Germany. Before you work as a registered nurse, a state authority checks your training and gives you the licence. If a part is missing, you can close the gap in Germany with a course or an exam.
Request a First Call See all routes
No-obligation introductory call · Information last updated: November 2026
Needed before you start
Course or exam
Usually B2
None (employer pays)
In short
- 01
You need a state licence to work under the title of registered nurse.
- 02
The authority of the federal state compares your training with the German one. If there are differences, you choose: an adaptation course or a knowledge exam.
- 03
You can come to Germany for the course, the exam or a recognition partnership with an employer, and then switch to the skilled worker permit.
General information to help you get oriented. For your own case the German authorities decide, and we are happy to talk it through with you.
01
What it is
In Germany, only people with a state licence may use the title of registered nurse. The licence is given by the competent authority of the federal state where you want to work or take the exam.
For a nursing qualification from outside the EU, the authority first checks whether it is equivalent. If there are essential differences, you can close them with an adaptation course of up to three years or with a knowledge exam. You choose which one.
While you close the gap, a residence permit under Section 16d of the Residence Act lets you stay in Germany. After the licence, the skilled worker permit follows.
02
Who it is for
A good fit if you
- have finished nursing training or a nursing degreea state-recognised qualification
- want to work as a registered nurse in Germany
- are learning German or already speak it wellmost states ask for level B2 for the licence
- can collect your training papers, transcripts and proof of practice
You do not need to tick every box today. Many people start by finding out which parts they still need.
Another route may suit you better
- You have no nursing qualification yetVocational training in nursing is possible in Germany.
- You want to look for a job firstThe Opportunity Card lets you search for a job in Germany.
- Your notice is partial and you want detailsRead about recognition in Germany and the permits for courses and exams.
Not sure this is your route?Compare the route guides and see which one fits your situation.
See all routes03
When it fits best
You hold a nursing qualification from home and want to work in your profession.
An authority has named a gap, and you want to close it with a course or an exam.
A hospital or care provider wants to hire you and support your recognition.
04
Conditions
Everyone needs a valid passport and health insurance. For the licence, the state authority checks your training, your reliability, your health and your German. For the residence permit, the immigration office and often the Federal Employment Agency are involved.
Course or exam in Germany
- A recognition notice that names the gap, or a confirmed place in a course or an exam
- Usually German at least at level A2 for the permit
- Permit of up to 24 months for a course, extendable to 3 years at mostside work up to 20 hours a week is possible
- Proof that you can pay for your living costs
Section 16d(1) and (5) German Residence Act
Recognition partnership with an employer
- A concrete job offer from an employer in Germany
- A written agreement: you start the recognition in Germany and the employer lets you attend the course or exam
- German at least at level A2
- You work for the employer while you finish the recognitionthe Federal Employment Agency usually has to agree
Section 16d(3) German Residence Act
Licence as a registered nurseNursing Professions Act
| Training equivalentno essential differences | Licence |
|---|---|
| Differences foundadaptation course of up to 3 years, or knowledge exam | You choose |
| German languagethe level the job needs; most states ask for B2 | B2 usual |
The state authority decides. Language level and documents can differ between federal states.
05
Steps and timing
- 01
Prepare your papers
You · a few weeks
Collect your diploma, transcript with hours of theory and practice, and proof of work. Get certified translations.
- 02
Apply for recognition
You + state authority · often several months
Apply in the federal state where you want to work. You can apply from abroad.
- 03
Learn German
You · depends on your level
Plan for B2. Many people start the course before the notice arrives.
- 04
Find an employer
You + employer · varies
An employer can support the course or exam and sign a recognition partnership with you.
- 05
Apply for the visa
You + German mission · waiting time varies by mission
Apply for the permit that fits your way: course, exam or partnership.
Course or exam, then the licence
You + state authority · months, up to 3 years
After you pass, you receive the licence and can switch to the skilled worker permit.
Time until the licenceVaries; often one to two years
Talk to our team06
Documents
- Passportvalid for the whole stay
- Biometric photos
- CV
- Diploma or degree certificatewith certified translation
- Transcript with hours of theory and practicethe authority compares the content
- Proof of work as a nurse, if you have it
- Registration or licence from your home countryif your country issues one
- German certificate, usually B2
- Police certificate of good conduct
- Medical certificate
- Recognition notice or course or exam confirmation
- Job offer and partnership agreement (Way B)
- Proof of money or salary, health insurance
Your certificates need the right stamps. An apostille (an official confirmation stamp) or legalisation by the German mission: it depends on the country that issued them. See the rules for your country
07
Life in Germany
Licence
work under the protected title of registered nurse
Any employer
hospitals, care homes and home care services
Family
spouse and children can usually join you
Settle
path to permanent residence as a skilled worker
08
Costs
| Recognition procedurefee set by the federal state | varies |
|---|---|
| National visapaid at the German mission | € 75 |
| Residence permit in Germanyfirst permit, local immigration office | up to € 100 |
| Accelerated skilled worker procedurepaid by the employer, if used | € 411 |
| Translations and certified copiesdepends on the number of pages | varies |
|---|---|
| German course and examup to B2 | varies |
Official fees as of November 2026. They can change. For placement into nursing the employer pays the DastN fee. Services that you book yourself with DastN are priced in writing before the contract starts.
09
Your future in Germany
With the licence, nursing in Germany is a long-term profession. Each step depends on your situation and on the law at that time.
- 01With the licence
Skilled worker permit
You work as a registered nurse and can change employer within nursing.
- 02After some years
Permanent residence
Usually after 3 years of skilled work, plus conditions such as pension payments and German.
- 03Later
Further training
Specialist training, for example intensive care or practice instruction, opens new roles.
10
Tips for a strong application
- Ask for a detailed transcript early. Hours of theory and practice per subject make the comparison faster.
- Start German before the notice. B2 takes time, and you need it for the licence anyway.
- Choose the state on purpose. The authority of the state where you will work handles your file.
- Use only official ways. Never pay money in advance through private accounts or messenger apps.
11
Questions
Only with the licence. Before that, you can work in the frame of your permit, for example in a recognition partnership, but not under the title of registered nurse.
The law lets you choose. A course takes longer but prepares you step by step. The exam is shorter but needs good preparation. Read about recognition in Germany for the permits.
For the residence permits on the way, usually at least A2. For the licence, most federal states ask for B2. Check with the authority of your state.
Not for the placement into nursing: the employer pays our fee, and it also covers our process stages (recognition support, visa file, arrival, follow-ups). Official fees, translations and the language course are separate costs. Other services that you book yourself with us are priced in writing before the contract starts.
For health and care jobs, only the Federal Employment Agency may recruit and place workers from certain countries (Section 38 Employment Ordinance). Check the current country list. We can only give you general information on this route.
Spouses and minor children can usually join you. The rules are in the family reunion guide.
Words on this page
- Licence (Erlaubnis)
- State permission to work under the title of registered nurse.
- Knowledge test
- An exam that shows you have the knowledge of the German training.
- Adaptation course
- A supervised training period of up to three years that closes the gap.
- Recognition partnership
- You work for an employer in Germany while you finish the recognition.
Routes to Germany
Related routes
Recognition in Germany
The permits for courses, exams and partnerships.
Recognition in Germany: Read the guide
Skilled worker visa
Work in your profession for any employer.
Skilled worker visa: Read the guide
Vocational training
Train as a nurse in Germany.
Vocational training: Read the guideAbout DastN
Placement and relocation from Berlin
DastN GmbH is a placement and relocation company in Berlin. We connect skilled people with employers in Germany and help with the steps on the way.
DastN GmbH
Kurfürstendamm 194, 10707 Berlin
HRB 230821 B
Founded in Berlin in 2021
Sources
- Nursing Professions Act, Section 1: licence to use the title, official German laws website
- Nursing Professions Act, Section 40: qualifications from outside the EU
- German Residence Act, Section 16d: measures for recognition
- German Employment Ordinance, Section 38: recruitment in health and care professions
- Recognition in Germany: nurse (Federal portal)
- Make it in Germany: nursing (Federal Government portal)
Your next step
Ready for your next step?
Talk to our team in English, German or Arabic, or see all route guides.
Request a First Call See all routes
We prepare every step carefully; the decisions are issued by the competent authorities.