Nursing Ausbildung
Become a nurse in Germany
- Best for
- People who are not yet nurses
- Route
- 3-year paid nursing training
- German
- B1 for visa; B2 often expected
- Outcome
- German nursing qualification
Moving to GermanyNursing in Germany
International Program · Train or Get Recognised · Work in Germany
Nursing in Germany — Two Clear Pathways
Germany has a long-term shortage of nurses, and the profession is respected, well protected and open to qualified people from abroad. There are two different ways in — and they should not be confused.
Choose your starting point
Two routes. One nursing career in Germany.
Your current qualification determines the route—not your ambition. Compare the two paths below.
Qualified Nurses
Get recognised and employed
- Best for
- Qualified nurses from outside Germany
- Route
- Qualification recognition, then employment
- German
- B2 for the professional licence
- Outcome
- German licence and a nursing job
Pathway A · Train in Germany
Nursing Ausbildung
For people who want to become nurses through vocational training in Germany.
- 01German
- 02Assessment
- 03Applications
- 04Interview
- 05Offer
- 06Visa
- 07Germany
The nursing Ausbildung is a three-year, state-regulated training. You work in a hospital or care facility, study at a nursing school and receive a training salary throughout. It ends with the German nursing qualification.
The exact language level depends on the school, employer and visa route—we confirm it during your assessment.
Typical requirements
- At least 10 years of school education; 12 for some routes
- B1 for the visa; most schools and employers expect B2
- Good health and a clean record
How we support you
- German to B1/B2, including healthcare vocabulary
- Eligibility and application guidance
- Support with schools, employers and interviews
- Visa guidance and support after arrival
Pathway B
Qualified Nurses: Recognition then Employment
For nurses who already hold a nursing qualification (GNM or B.Sc. Nursing) and want to practise in Germany. This is a different process from the Ausbildung.
- 1Profile
- 2Recognition
- 3German B2
- 4Licence
- 5Job search
- 6Interview
- 7Employment
Nursing is a regulated profession in Germany. Before you can work as a registered nurse, the competent authority in a German federal state must recognise your qualification (Anerkennung) and you must hold a professional licence.
01
Recognition
The authority compares your training with the German nursing qualification. The result is full recognition, or partial recognition with a compensatory measure: an adaptation course (Anpassungslehrgang) or a knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung).
02
German — B2
B2 is required for the professional licence. Some federal states also require a nursing-specific language examination. We prepare you for both.
03
Entry options
Depending on your case, you may be able to come to Germany before recognition is complete — for example through a recognition partnership with an employer — and finish the process while working in a supporting role.
Recognition is decided by the state authority and processing times vary. The official starting point is Recognition in Germany (anerkennung-in-deutschland.de).
From documents to Germany
How we support you
One coordinated team through recognition, language preparation and employment.
- Profile and document assessment
- Guidance through the recognition application
- German language preparation to B2, including nursing German and exam preparation
- CV and application documents for German employers
- Job applications and interview preparation, and coordination where included
- Visa and residence guidance
- Germany-based support after arrival, where included in your package
“Tell us where you stand — nursing student, fresh graduate or working nurse — and our team will review your profile, explain which pathway applies and provide the relevant package details.”
Your next step
From registration to your personalised plan.
- 01Register your interestA short form — two minutes
- 02Our team contacts youUsually within one working day
- 03We review your profileQualification, German level, experience, goals
- 04We explain your pathwayAusbildung or Recognition — clear inclusions and pricing
Recognition and licensing decisions are made by the competent German authorities, and visa decisions by the German missions. Employment depends on your qualifications, German skills, recognition status and employer requirements. We provide preparation, application support and Germany-based assistance; we do not guarantee recognition, a visa, employment or a specific salary.